There are many different types of senior living care. Each type is specialized to the needs of each person. A person who is walking around fine but forgets to take their medicine should be in an assistant living care where as a person who has dementia needs to be in a memory care. Therefore, there are many types of senior living care to accommodate the needs of each person.
Most people do not want to end up in any type of senior living home because they have a negative view of it. They would rather be able to keep their independence and quality of life by remaining in their own home (Marek & Rantz, 2000). Many elderly people need some type of assistance though, so they have in-home care. In-home care is when a nurse or medical professional comes to the elderly person’s residence and assist them with their health and personal needs. This care allows the clients to dictate the time and intensity of care that is needed (Marek & Rantz, 2000). By having in-home care, it allows the elderly to get the care they need from the comfort of their home.
Many elderly people move in with their kids or other family members once they get to a point in their life where they need more assistance. This can cause great stress on the family taking care of them because they normally do not get a break and must change their lives in order to take care of this person. A way to help take some of the stress off the family members is by having adult day care. Adult day care programs provide out-of-home services for older adults that include socializing, medical care, and therapeutic activities (Zarit & Greene, 1998). This gives the elderly family member a chance to get out of the house and socialize with other people while also giving the family some time to destress and focus on other areas of their life.
Active adult care and active adult apartments are geared towards people 55 or older. These communities typically have condos, apartments, and single-family homes with minimal services offered. They do offer amenities though such as a clubhouse, pool and other outdoor areas. The clubhouse will normally have a dining area, bar area, workout area, salon, and other activity areas. They also offer classes and activities for the residents to participate in. These classes help to keep the residents active and healthy so they can live longer lives (Lynn & Wang, 2008). Active adult care and communities are created to help keep adults healthier and more active within the community.
Independent living communities are for seniors who can live on their own but may need some help with housekeeping. These communities offer amenities such as clubhouse, gyms, yard maintenance, housekeeping, and security. They also provide “senior-only” social environments and activities. These communities are great for adults who are healthy and want to be independent but don’t want to bother with housekeeping and value security (Independent Living, 2018).
Assisted living communities are very similar to independent living communities except these residents need more hands-on help. Residents in assisted living communities need help with remembering to take their medicine and may need help getting dressed in the morning. It is important for residents in assisted living communities to still feel like they have their independence though which is why these communities are set up similarly to independent living communities (Lynn & Wang, 2008).
Memory care communities are for people who have a type of dementia. These residents need a lot of hands-on help because they do not always remember what they are doing or what they are supposed to be doing (Lynn & Wang, 2008). People will forget things such as close family members names or how to get home from a familiar place. They will also walk in a room and forget why or how they got there. Dementia patients need lots of help because they can forget the simple things such as going to the bathroom or how to pick up a fork. They can also get scared easily. They may see the water in their glass move and think it is alive or if something falls, they may think there is an earthquake happening. People with dementia have lost their cognitive abilities which is why they have extreme reactions to small things. It is important that memory care communities are secure so that residents cannot wander off. Also, these communities need to have walking paths for the residents because many dementia patients will wander. The top priority of memory care communities is to keep the residents safe and in a happy environment (Brawley, n.d.).
Skilled nursing communities provide the highest level of care to elderly people. These communities are hospital-like and are the most expensive of all senior housing. Skilled-nursing communities are where people go when they leave the hospital but still need proper medical care. They are recovering and working with the medical staff to gain strength so they can go home (Mor, 2010).
Hospice is for people who have a life-limiting illness and need a place that can keep them comfortable. This care provides expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support for the patient. Hospice focuses on caring for the patient and not healing. Hospice is normally done in the patients home but there are hospice centers. Hospice services are available to any patient with any terminal illness regardless of the age (Hospice Care in America, 2009).
Continuing care retirement communities let residents move to different levels of care as their needs change. These communities are built so once a resident move in they can live out the rest of their life there. Some communities let the residents stay in one room the entire time they are there regardless of their care level and some make them move to a different room as they change care levels. Even though they may have to move rooms or sections they are still in the same community (Independent Living, 2018).
Sources:
Brawley, E. C. (n.d.). Designing for Alzheimer's Disease: Strategies for Creating Better Care.
Independent Living | How To Select an Independent Living Community. (2018, March 04). Retrieved from https://www.seniorliving.org/lifestyles/independent-living-communities/
Lynn, D., & Wang, T. (2008). The U.S. Senior Housing Opportunity: Investment Strategies. Real Estate Issues, 33, 33-35.
Marek, K. D., & Rantz, M. J. (2000). Aging in Place: A New Model for Long-Term Care. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 24(3), 1-11.
Mor, V. (2010, January). The Revolving Door Of Rehospitalization From Skilled Nursing Facilities. Retrieved from https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0629
NHPCOs facts and figures: Hospice care in America. (2009). United States: National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Zarit, S. H., & Greene, R. (1998). Stress Reduction for Family Caregivers: Effects of Adult Day Care Use. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 53B(5).
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