No kind of living arrangement is encompassing and can conveniently accommodate everyone. The needs of individuals are different and as a result, this living arrangement differs.
Independent Living
Independent living is a community of seniors where residents need little or no assistance. It is also called a retirement home. The residents in this community can do a lot of things on their own including daily living. As a result of this, they do not need help with bathing, dressing, grooming, or toileting among others.
They are there to enjoy themselves, make new friends, socialize, and engage in group fitness regimen and recreational activities.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is a facility where individuals who need help with daily living activities are cared for. This facility has staff who provide supportive services for seniors and residents who are unable to go about their daily activities on their own.
Residents in this facility get help with bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing, cooking, taking medication, and transporting from one point to the other.
Continuing Care Retirement Community
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) provides a different level of care and care which include assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing care. It is mandatory in many states including California for all CCRCs to hold a certificate of authority, skilled nursing facility license, and an RCFE license issued by the Department of Public Health.
Nursing Home
Nursing homes are expected to hold a license that is issued by the Department of Public Health. In this skilled nursing facility, they offer skilled care for short-term health conditions that require nursing and medical care. Patients are dependent on assistance from the nurses or staff to carry out daily living. This means that they are expected to help patients with tasks like bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing, cooking, taking medication, and transportation within the facility.
In deciding which of these available options is most applicable to your loved one, you have to identify what their needs are. find out if they can carry out daily living on their own or whether they need assistance for daily living.
Once you can identify this, you can know which kind of care to take them to. For example, if you have a loved one that is struggling with mobility issues, and can’t seem to do so many things on their own, then you need to take such person to an assisted living facility.
On the other hand, if you have a loved one that needs help with both daily living and medical attention, then you have to consider taking them to a nursing home. This is where they can get assistance with both daily living and skilled nursing care.
However, for seniors or individuals who are active and can do a lot of things on their own, moving into an independent living facility is best for such individuals. This is because this facility is known to cater to individuals who are independent and only need to stay active so that they are not isolated or lonely.
When taking the decision on which of the options is best for your loved one, do your findings and carry the person involved along in the decision-making process. This will help them get the most appropriate care they need. Everyone involved has to play their parts appropriately to get the best result.
Seniors deserve to enjoy their retirement and have all the comfort they need so that while they are here, they can feel safe and secure.