You or a loved one may have had trouble recently with self-care. Maybe it was a fall or forgetting to take medication. Either way it’s becoming to be clear- you (or your loved one) can no longer live alone.
Luckily there are plenty of options for senior living, so many in fact that it can be confusing to figure out which is the best fit. Settle in for a long post…
Adult Foster Care– These houses provide care for older adults that need regular assistance with daily tasks (e.g., showering, getting dressed) and benefit from supervision.
Alzheimer’s/Memory Care Residence– These residences have staff that receive special training to work with older adults who have memory difficulties.
Assisted Living- This is a good option for someone who is mostly independent but needs help with some tasks in order to remain independent (e.g., housekeeping). Assisted living facilities typically don’t offer services like medicine management because it’s not needed. However, they likely offer a meal plan, housekeeping, social activities, and transportation. The idea behind assisted living is to assist the older adult so they can remain independent for as long as possible.
Co-Housing- Co-housing programs pair an older adult who lives in a house and needs assistance with a young adult (usually college or graduate school student) who needs housing and is willing to live with the older adult and help out around the house. The University of Michigan has a popular Co-Housing Program.
Continuing Care Retirement Community- These communities offer care across the entire spectrum from independent living to memory care. The idea is that your loved one moves throughout the community as needed. A good example of this model is the Chelsea Retirement Community.
Independent Living- Like assisted living, these residences are aimed at older adults who are mostly independent but need a little help here and there. Adults in independent living are more independent than those in assisted living and often still schedule their own doctor appointments and may even still drive themselves, but have difficulty keeping up with home maintenance.
Nursing Home- Nursing homes have doctors and nurses on staff who help with everything from daily activities to medicine monitoring. Residents’ needs have surpassed community-level care and the goal is now to keep them healthy and strong for as long as possible.
Retirement Communities- Like with independent living, the older adults in these communities tend to be younger and more independent. Adults living in these communities tend to want to be around people their age and do not mind that there are not younger adults or children.
Senior Apartments- Apartments specifically aimed at a certain age range (e.g., 55+).
You can find information about housing options in your area by visiting the Ahead of the Curve Resource Directory!
