Everything You Need to Know About Retirement Homes

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Popularly known as senior apartments, retirement homes are senior housing options that can be used as a bridge to move into assisted living facilities or living at home. Retirement homes are similar to independent senior living communities but have fewer amenities and services and lower costs.

For instance, Sienna Living independent living units offer various private suites with various sizes with en-suite restrooms to suit diverse tastes and budgets. They could be the best option for seniors who cannot manage large houses but can still live independently and take care of their own affairs.

What is a retirement home?

In essence, a retirement home is a facility that caters to senior people. These homes are intended to preserve a person’s quality of life as they age, both in terms of their physical and mental well-being. It is important to remember that retirement homes and nursing homes are different. The most significant difference is in how they provide medical care.

For someone with mobility limitations, a retirement home might be a good option. On the other hand, a nursing home is a place where a person requires 24/7 medical supervision and skilled nursing care. They both provide support for what is called Activities of Daily Living (ADL). This could include personal care such as bathing, grooming, and other forms of personal care.

Why choose a retirement home?

Senior apartments or retirement homes offer many of the same benefits as independent living communities. Some people confuse the two, but we believe there are some differences between an independent living community and a senior apartment building.

Retirement homes have the most explicit benefit of allowing seniors to live independently while removing the pressures on seniors who choose to remain in their homes. For example, an individual who wants to live in their own home will need to deal with the stairs, yard, or home maintenance and have more space than necessary. In senior apartments do not have to deal with stairs or yards. They have a staff who will take care of any maintenance issues in each unit.

Independent living communities do not offer the same social benefits as retirement homes. Senior apartment buildings have an age limit that ensures all residents are the same age. Senior apartments offer a communal dining room where residents can get all meals and meet up with each other. Residents also tend to make friends with others in the building. Although they offer social activities and events, it is not as frequent or on the same scale as independent living communities.

What Is the Difference Between Independent and Assisted Living?

Independent living and assisted living communities to offer different services to meet residents’ individual needs. Find the differences between assisted living and independent living communities to find the community that suits your needs best.

Assisted Living Communities

Seniors who require assistance with daily activities and want to live a fulfilling, active life are able to choose assisted living.

Assisted living communities offer:

  • Apartment living with some mini-kitchens
  • Assistance with cleaning, laundry, and other activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, grooming, and medication management.
  • Happy hours, restaurant-style dining, and assisted living activities all to depend on the residents’ interests
  • Day trips, transportation to local shops, and entertainment.
  • Remember that assisted living communities often have strict health requirements for admitting new residents. A nursing home is an alternative option for those who need 24-hour care.

Independent Living Communities

Seniors who can live independently, often called retirement communities can choose to live in independent living communities.

Although there might be some overlap between assisted living communities and independent living communities in terms of minor care services, independent living generally means residents are independent and do not require any care.

Independent living communities are typically 55+ apartments with organized activities, meals, transportation, and other amenities.

Independent living is possible:

  • Participation in the community
  • A sense of self-worth and perseverance
  • Maintenance-free, amenity-filled living
  • Activities on-site and off-site, such as yoga, gardening, and dancing
  • Services such as meals, laundry, housekeeping, and transportation are basic.

Choosing Between Independent Living and Assisted Living

It can seem daunting to try and find the best option for you or your loved one. But with the correct information, it can be much more straightforward. Independent living and assisted living are the most popular options for seniors, particularly those making their first move to a senior living facility. Independent living is the most restrictive option for seniors, followed by assisted living that offers more support and assistance.

Independent living is different from assisted living in a larger senior living community. This is because assisted living residents receive full-time medical care and custodial care. Some amenities, such as meals or housekeeping, are included in the cost of assisted living, whereas independent living may have an additional cost.

While assisted living communities can help with ADLs, these communities do not offer skilled nursing or intensive care. A skilled nursing facility or nursing home may be more suitable for older people with serious mental or physical conditions. The assisted living community may allow residents to continue in their homes but arrange for the care through a third party for an additional fee.

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