As you enter your retirement years, you are faced with some new and exciting decisions. Not only do you get to choose what passion projects, hobbies, or volunteering to take on during your free time, but you also get to decide where to live. For many older adults, senior living communities offer the perfect blend of friendships, independence, and a healthy lifestyle.
Fortunately, older adults throughout the Mountainside area have plenty of senior living options to choose from. If you’re just beginning your search, you’ll be pleased to know you can choose from a variety of communities. Each senior living community features its own amenities, lifestyle, and specific care needs for its residents.
Choosing the best senior living option begins with having good information about the choices available. Here’s what you need to know in order to begin your search.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are one senior living option in the Mountainside area. Designed for active older adults who are looking to downsize their home as well as their household chores and responsibilities, independent living communities feature spacious apartments and wellness resources. These communities are ideal for seniors who are looking for resort-style living, easy access to a healthy lifestyle, and fewer daily tasks to worry about.
Independent living communities do not offer caregiving services, but typically have a nurse on staff during normal work hours to address any health questions that may arise. Furthermore, these communities are not licensed or regulated through the New Jersey Department of Health.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities are designed to offer a healthy lifestyle in a resort-style setting, but with additional access to personalized assistance. Caregivers are readily available in these communities and can assist with daily personal care tasks as needed. Many residents living in assisted living communities enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that caregivers are right down the hall and actively monitoring their safety.
Assisted living communities are an excellent option for seniors who may have:
- Fallen at home in the past few months
- Difficulty with meal preparation tasks such as grocery shopping or cooking
- Been feeling lonely or isolated at home alone
- Anxiety about being alone at night
Assisted living communities are regulated and licensed by the state of New Jersey.
Dementia Care
A specialized neighborhood that is typically set up within an assisted living community, dementia care offers assistance to seniors who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. These communities are designed to accommodate residents who are experiencing cognitive loss down to the tiniest detail, including environmental safety measures and a routinized activity calendar. Caregivers, nurses, dining room servers, and other team members who work within the dementia care community receive thorough training in dementia-specific interventions.
Dementia care is an excellent option for seniors who:
- Have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia
- Are unsafe living at home alone or with a partner
- Are wandering at home
- Are currently living with another family member who cannot provide the supervision or care they need
Dementia care communities are regulated and licensed through the state of New Jersey.
Skilled Nursing
For seniors with more complex medical needs, skilled nursing facilities could be a logical choice. Sometimes referred to as “nursing homes,” skilled nursing facilities provide a more clinical medical environment that is ideal for seniors who are recovering from a hospital stay, procedure, or surgery. These communities are also a good option for older adults with complex medical needs.
How to Choose
Now that you have a broad overview of senior living options in the Mountainside area, you can begin your search for the community that best suits your situation. To see exceptional assisted living and dementia care in action, be sure to visit Arbor Terrace Mountainside. Our residents enjoy more than just a beautiful apartment, engaging activities, and chef-prepared meals; they also benefit from the meaningful relationships they make here with neighbors and staff. We would love to show you what makes our community so special!
If you would like additional information on finding the best senior living community option, download our free guide: “Finding a Safe & Comfortable Living Community.”
