Senior Living Choices® contains a complete directory of housing options and related services. Housing types included are:
- Retirement Communities
- Continuing Care Communities
- Assisted Living
- Memory Care
- Skilled Nursing/Rehab
- Hospice
- Home Health Care/Ancillary Services
- Related Services
INDEPENDENT LIVING RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES or Retirement Communities offer older adults congregate housing that is generally replete with many amenities and social activities and services. Some independent living communities offer health care services, and can accommodate older residents with chronic health problems. Most communities offer restaurant-style meals, frequent events and country club style furnishings. They offer exercise rooms and planned activities, as well as resident clubs and interest groups.
CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (CCRCs) offer seniors an independent lifestyle and a private home, regardless of future medical needs. They almost always require a "buy-in", or an up-front entrance fee followed by monthly payments covering services, amenities and any needed medical care. The buy-in may be refundable in part, or not at all. These facilities provide the availability of multiple levels of care, without the uncertainty of wondering where you will live.
ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES offer help with all aspects of daily activities (bathing, grooming and dressing assistance, perhaps) in an atmosphere of semi-private, private living units. There is a wide range of services and amenities offered in this category. Some facilities provide the basic care mandated by law. Others provide many activities, excellent meals and beautiful appointments. All are currently licensed by the states as assisted living communities.
MEMORY CARE care can be a special unit or a free-standing community designed to sensitively care for those with Alzheimer's or memory-related disorders. Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain, results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Other senior living environments may be appropriate for residents in early, or even mid, stages of the disease. However, unless they have a specialized dementia unit, transfer to another facility will be required as the disease progresses.
SKILLED NURSING / PHYSICAL REHABILITATION COMMUNITY offers hospital-like attention in an institutional atmosphere. These facilities offer 24-hour supervision. The amount of additional services, upkeep, food, and the structure of facilities can vary from nursing home to nursing home. They also may specialize in short term or acute nursing care, intermediate care or long term skilled nursing care.
HOSPICE care may be provided in the home or a senior care facility. Services can include pain management and a variety of emotional, spiritual and physical support issues.
HOME HEALTH CARE / ANCILLARY SERVICES include providers of licensed health care services in the home and companies that provide medical and non-medical assistance with such tasks as bathing, dressing, meal preparation and transportation.
