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Nowadays people are living longer than ever and while that’s very positive it can create some challenges for adult children that are taking care of aging parents.  Inevitably the day might come when you need to find a place that can care for your aging or elderly parents if staying in their own home or with you is not an option.  It can be a stressful time for sure but knowing what senior living options are available to you to help your parent can help ease that stress.

Types of Senior Living Options

There are so many options available to accommodate your aging parent so it’s easy to be confused and overwhelmed by the variety of care types and styles but according to AARP you and your family members just need to make the decision about what senior living options are best for your loved one.  Be well-prepared, informed and just remember to always be kind to yourself and to them.

Independent Living Communities

This is a usually a 55 and older community that is set for active and healthy older adult who are able to live on their own. The facility can be a home, townhouse, apartment or even a mobile home. You can expect amenities like clubhouses, gyms, yard maintenance, housekeeping security, transportation, laundry service, group meals and social activities.

Assisted Living Communities

Assisted Living Communities are designed for seniors who don’t want to be stripped off of their independence and yet need basic assistance and care. This facility can be an apartment with 25 to 120 units, a condo style or even a single room apartment. You can expect to have three meals per day, available staff for personal needs and amenities like 24-hour security, housekeeping, medication management, laundry service, exercise programs, health on-call service, social activities and transportation.  Some assisted living communities even allow pets so look for senior living community that allow pets if that is something that is important to you!  You can expect to have pet-care services and the allowance of pets like cats, small- to medium-sized dogs, birds and fish.

Nursing Homes

We all know what a nursing home is.  This facility is a short-term rehabilitative type care for seniors that are dependent and can’t care for themselves yet don’t need or want a hospital option.  It is also for older adults who have chronic health conditions and need nursing staff on-duty round the clock at home but a hospital-like setting.

Memory Care

A Memory care center is also known as Special Care Units.  They are secured facilities designed for older adults with Dementia and Alzheimer’s challenges.  It is designed to provide active therapy and behavioral management while promoting a therapeutic environment to keep residents as independent as possible as well as disallow them from straying off and hurting themselves.

Retirement Homes & Communities

Retirement homes and communities are assisted retirement living facilities.  A large group of different types of care are lumped into this category like active senior housing communities, age-restricted communities, independent living communities and assisted living communities from above.  Types of living quarters could be a condo or apartment, mobile home or even single family home.  Designed for older adults who desire to remain as independent as possible after retirement, you can expect amenities like walking trails, medical facilities, fitness center, golf course, athletic courts, dining and/or community centers.

Senior Apartments

For seniors 55+ looking for a low-maintenance and lower-priced lifestyle you can opt for senior apartment living.  These facilities have amenities like studios, private or shared suites,  furnished and unfurnished, communal dining, recreation, educational activities, housekeeping, laundry, dining and social activities.  They are usually calm, quiet and have outdoor spaces for all to enjoy.  They can also be apartments, town homes, condos, duplexes or triplexes.

Active Senior Communities

This is a senior living option that is a perfect choice for the healthy and active senior, specifically age 55+ that can stay independent but needs some type of care.  Apartments can be rented or bought and can include a single-family home, apartment, town home, condo or mobile home.  Services and amenities like housekeeping, yard maintenance, clubhouses, gyms and social activities  are available and designed to the desires of the active senior.

Companion Care

Companion Care is a popular choice to some aging and elderly folks because it can enhance their independence and provide emotional support.  The role of a senior companion is to maintain the link between the senior and the rest of society and they will benefit from having meal preparation, light housekeeping, help with errands and shopping, and companionship.  If your loved one enjoys their independence but is struggling with everyday activities, elderly companion care could be the solution.  You can get companion care services at home, in an assisted living community, or in a skilled nursing community.

Reverse Mortgage

Retirement is the ultimate time to relax for some, but it may not be for you. If you are struggling to pay your basic bills or afford the non-essential items you want, your home is a good resource. A reverse mortgage can help you use it to fund your retirement the way you want to. To start, you need a reverse-loan amortization calculator aid.  The online tool called a reverse mortgage calculator decides the amount to which you are entitled. Then your bank or other lending institution provides the funds to you. You get to pick how you receive them, such as in monthly installments or a large payment. It is also up to you when you pay them back, unlike a traditional mortgage with its scheduled payments. Therefore, as long as you agree to keep living in your home, you can enjoy your retirement in a financially stress-free way.

 

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