The senior living industry is nothing like it was only a few decades ago. Though senior living communities across the country are beautiful and offer amazing amenities, most older adults and their family members begin their search feeling confused and overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. We’ve taken the time to compile some of the most common FAQs about senior living, along with answers that can get your search for a senior living community off to a great start.
Is All Senior Living the Same?
Senior living communities are as unique as the residents who live in each one. Each community has its own atmosphere and culture, but there are generally four types of senior living communities: independent living, assisted living, dementia care, and skilled nursing.
Are All Senior Living Communities Nursing Homes?
The term “nursing home” is not used much anymore throughout the senior living industry. What people once considered a nursing home is now referred to as a skilled nursing facility. These communities offer round-the-clock care for seniors with complex medical conditions, including older adults who have been discharged from the hospital after a long stay or procedure and need to get stronger before returning home.
Does Everyone Who Lives in Senior Living Have Dementia?
This is a common misconception, but older adults living in senior communities do not always have a cognitive or physical health condition. Instead, most seniors choose to live in a community setting because of its many health benefits, access to friendly neighbors, and peace of mind knowing that someone is always around to help out if needed.
Seniors who do have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can choose to live in specialized dementia care communities. These communities are ideal for seniors who have cognitive decline, because they offer specialized training for staff and extensive support services for family members.
Will I Be Bored in Senior Living?
With activities, events, lectures, trips, and gatherings planned daily, you will never be bored while living in a senior community (unless you choose to be, which is OK too). Senior living communities excel at offering various activities and events for residents to enjoy, including in-house fitness classes, hobby clubs, and live concerts.
Can I Still Entertain My Family and Friends?
If you have always hosted family dinners or special occasions, you can still do so when you call a senior living community home. If your spacious apartment can’t hold the number of visitors you are planning on, exceptional senior communities offer spaces, such as private dining rooms, that you can reserve and use. Further, if you love to host but don’t necessarily love the cooking and cleanup, you can invite family members to join you in your community’s dining room. Most communities charge a nominal fee for visitors to join any resident in the dining room.
Can I Afford It?
This is one of the most common FAQs about senior living, but most seniors are pleasantly surprised to realize that luxury retirement living is within their financial range. You can compare your current costs of living with a senior living monthly fee using our cost calculator; chances are that you’ll be happy to see that you can indeed afford it!
How Do I Get Started?
Choosing a senior living community is a big decision, and you should always get started by learning more about the communities in your desired location. You can keep up with senior living news by subscribing to our blog; you’ll learn information that will help you ask good questions during your tours and know what observations to make while on a senior living campus.
At Arbor Terrace Morris Plains, we excel at giving residents exceptional care in our assisted living and dementia care communities. We would love to tell you more about how our commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with each of our residents is the foundation of our community and show you what makes our community so special.
