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Families searching for a nursing home or facility for a loved one can get confused by the different terms used by industry professionals. Rarely will you have a community refer to themselves as a nursing home or facility so below is some guidance to help you understand the different levels of care and what may be appropriate for your elderly family member.

What is Senior Independent Living?

When a senior chooses an independent living community, he or she has the physical and mental capacity to live independently, but wants companionship from others his/her age. These communities usually have a robust schedule of activities, field trips, special speakers, etc. to engage the residents daily.

Independent living costs can vary by retirement community, based on the size of the apartment, geographical location of the community and the services offered at the community. Often times there is a basic rate that covers all independent living services, with an additional fee for special services and outings.

Here are some typical services included in independent living:

· Monthly rent and all-inclusive utilities, except local telephone services and cable

· One to three restaurant-style, chef-prepared meals in a community dining room

· Maintenance repairs, including appliance, safety and living repairs and updates

· Housekeeping, including laundering of linens and towels

· Weekly, socially-engaging activities

· Transportation for shopping, medical and off-site activities

It's important to ask each community about their individual costs and services, as they can vary by community. For example, concierge and guest services may include an additional cost. 

Frequently, independent living communities can be a part of a larger complex that offers other types of care such as assisted living, skilled nursing, etc. True continuous care retirement communities will offer all types of care on one property location.

Keep in mind, that a stand-alone independent living community, will not have state regulations to abide by, other than standard building codes. Caregivers, in the sense of having staff to attend to the medical needs of the residents, are not usually present. However, many in-home services such as home health or private duty care can be provided at these communities just like they would be for the senior living in their own home.

What is Assisted Living?

Simply put, assisted living communities give older adults personalized care in a residential setting. They’re for seniors whose health or well-being requires a higher level of support, which is determined through a health assessment by the community according to state regulations. Assisted living also provides a healthy lifestyle and social engagement.

The most common assisted living services offered include medication management and assistance with using the bathroom, dressing and grooming. Housekeeping, meals, laundry and transportation services, as well as social programs and activities, are typically included. Staff is available 24/7 to help with safety, care and support. Residents are encouraged to bring furniture and personal items to make their new home feel, well, like home.

Residents are assessed when they move in, so they can get an individualized service plan to meet specific needs and make their care truly personal. Some assisted living communities are also licensed to provide memory care. These will often have separate dining rooms and menus based on residents’ nutritional needs.

The activities are geared to the senior that is still intellectually cognitive, but may have physical limitations. Outings such as the movies, shopping, parks and other entertainment venues are usually provided.

Assisted Living can be in a commercial setting such as building built specifically for this purpose or it can be in a residential setting. Personal Care Homes (sometimes called Residential Assisted Living) are in houses in neighborhoods that have been altered to accommodate the needs of the residents. They can be an excellent choice for a smaller setting and usually lower cost.

What is Memory Care?

Memory care is a specific type of disease management in the long-term care setting. Memory care indicates there is some form of dementia that the resident is experiencing. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia.

Memory care, Alzheimer’s care or dementia care can be found in stand-alone buildings or part of other type of communities such as skilled nursing care, assisted living, continuous care retirement communities. Memory care offers 24-hour supervised care with meals, activities and healthcare management for residents. Most of these units will be secure with locked doors or delay mechanisms on the doors to keep the residents from leaving the unit/building unaccompanied.

Because there is a higher level of care offered at these communities, the price tends to be higher than assisted living. Pricing can vary between flat rate fees versus a “menu” type pricing model where the resident pays for care based on level of care needed. We always suggest that you ask about current level of care pricing, plus what the future possibilities could look like for your loved one.