Senior living communities are bustling hubs of activity where residents enjoy friendly neighbors, luxury amenities, and wellness resources located just steps away from their apartments. However, seniors and their loved ones can quickly become overwhelmed and even confused when searching for a senior living community. It’s important to note that not all senior living communities are designed to serve every older adult; community design and staffing are specialized to assist residents with common preferences and challenges.
Knowing which type of senior living could be best for your current and future needs is the first step to making a confident decision. Here’s a quick summary of three of the most common types of senior living communities: independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
Independent Living
These senior living communities are designed for older adults who are ready to say goodbye to homeownership responsibilities such as lawn care and extensive housekeeping. These resort-style communities offer luxury amenities such as swimming pools, putting greens, and beautiful trails for residents to enjoy. Exceptional communities offer a variety of apartment floor plans, as well as wellness resources, life enrichment activities, and even concierge services.
Independent living might be right for you if:
- You are tired of spending your days cleaning the house and wish you had more time to pursue your hobbies.
- You would love to make new friends and create social relationships with neighbors.
- You wish there were an easy way to schedule transportation to take you to your favorite spots in the neighborhood without having to worry about traffic or parking.
- You would take advantage of wellness resources in order to stay healthy and active.
- You are overwhelmed or tired of cooking meals daily for yourself and would love it if a chef could take over that task for you.
- You don’t need any hands-on assistance for daily activities and can get around independently throughout the day.
Assisted Living
Offering round-the-clock caregivers to provide personalized assistance to residents, assisted living communities are ideal for seniors who could benefit from extra peace of mind and help with daily tasks. These communities are beautiful and feature community spaces designed to enhance connections between residents and staff. Assisted living communities also offer luxury-style amenities and perks that can include pet-friendly accommodations, concierge services, and life enrichment events and trips.
Assisted living could be best for you if:
- You feel nervous, fearful, or unsafe living at home alone.
- Your loved ones would find great peace of mind knowing you had caregiver assistance readily available.
- You miss a busy social calendar and feel lonely at home most days.
- You have fallen at home in the past year.
- You struggle to keep up with your medication schedule.
- You wish someone could take over preparing meals for you three times daily.
- You feel exhausted after completing daily hygiene tasks such as dressing or showering.
Memory Care
The most specialized of senior living communities, memory care neighborhoods are designed to meet the challenges that come with living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. These neighborhoods are cozy and comfortable, designed to feel just like home. Events and activities are created to enhance socialization and wellness and mimic natural daily rhythms
Memory care could be best for you if:
- You or your loved one has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
- You or your loved one is unsafe living at home alone.
- You or your loved one would benefit from round-the-clock care and proper social stimulation.
Choosing a senior living community is a personal decision, but the process should not feel daunting or confusing. Learn more about senior living options and information by downloading our free resource, “The Journey to Senior Living: A Step-by-Step Guide For Families.”
