With so many senior housing options available, we know the placement process can quickly become overwhelming.  Below is an overview of the different types of senior living services available. 

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Independent Living

Independent living communities’ main focus is catering to the social wants and needs of its residents.  These residents are often able to live on their own without much support and can manage their own medications. Source

 

Assisted Living

Assisted living provides residents an environment that allows for graceful aging in place and maintaining as much independence as possible. Residents may live in a studio or an apartment-like setting and receive daily services such as meals, housekeeping, laundry service, and assistance with their activities of daily living (ADL).  Assisted living facilities are also required to provide or arrange for other health care services, such as hospice, skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, home health, and more. Generally speaking, assisted living is private pay. Source

 

Personal Care Home

Personal care homes are communities that provide 24/7 care support to residents and assist them with their activities of daily living (ADL).  These activities may include medication management, daily housekeeping and laundry service, meal service, and arranging doctor appointments.  Other examples of ADLs include assistance with personal hygiene, bathing, getting dressed, and toileting.  Daily activity programming helps to engage residents and consists of fan favorites such as Bingo, and trips out to shopping malls, restaurants, restaurants, and other fun local attractions.  Personal care homes empower residents to live as independently as possible, but still providing the support they need to feel safe and comfortable.  Personal care is private pay, and there is no third party reimbursement. Source

 

Memory Care

A memory care community can either be considered a personal care home or assisted living facility, but is a secure/locked unit.  Residents who have a diagnosis of dementia (and may be a risk of wandering unaccompanied outside) are usually the best fit for a memory care community. The design and features of a memory care community are specifically tailored to fit the needs of those with cognitive disabilities like dementia.  The staff are all specially trained to properly communicate and connect with residents, allowing for their needs to be better met.  Memory care communities also provide 24/7 care support to residents and assist them with their ADLs, including medication management, meal service, personal hygiene, and more.  Memory care is private pay, and there is no third party reimbursement. Source

 

Respite Care

Respite care allows relief to primary caregivers and can be arranged for as little as a week to a month or two.  Senior living facilities, such as personal care or memory care communities normally offer a respite stay option, with the ability for the resident to stay long-term.  This can be a great option for families who go away on vacation or would like to “test drive” a community.  Respite care is normally charged at a daily rate. Respite care is private pay, and there is no third party reimbursement. Source

 

Skilled Nursing Care

Skilled nursing facilities provide 24/7 continuous care services to its residents.  Skilled nursing assists residents with a range of basic to skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, and other programs.  Skilled nursing facilities also have the capability to manage residents with complex medical needs, such as IV lines and ventilators. There is third party reimbursement (Medicare and Medicaid) for those who qualify based on income. Source

 

Home Care

Home care provides basic care services to residents living at home or other independent living settings.  These services may include assistance with medication management, housekeeping, meal prepping, shopping, personal hygiene (bathing, toileting), and transportation. Source

 

Home Health Care

Home health care provides health care services to those who may be sick or disabled in their homes, assisting them to be as independent as possible.  Services include nursing care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Source