A brief overview on senior living homes

Senior living homes or assisted living are homes that include housing plans made especially for seniors which ensures that they can continue to thrive as they get older. When looking for a senior living home, there are things that you should consider before choosing one that best suits your needs.

What factors should be considered when choosing senior living homes?
While deciding on the right senior housing plan, there are some factors that you should consider based on the needs that you may require now as well as in the future:

• Physical and medical needs – As the age progresses, you might need some assistance with physical needs. Right from daily activities to a range of chores such as cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc. there might be some medical needs as well that might be involved. They might arrive due to sudden conditions such as a heart attack or a stroke or in the form a condition that might require gradual assistance.
• Financial needs – Modifying your home according to the medical and physical needs can be expensive. Thus, an evaluation of budget is required which will help you balance the care that would be needed.
• Home maintenance – This might not be of concern if you are living in a separate senior living home; however, for seniors living alone, it might be too difficult and expensive to maintain your current home. As a senior, if you have health problems, it can be a difficult task to manage your housework and yard maintenance which was not too difficult earlier.
• Social and emotional needs – Most of our social networks change as we age. You may no longer be living with the same neighbors and your close friends and family might have relocated. Thus, socializing might get difficult if you are no longer able to drive or have a comfortable access to public transportation.

What are assisted living facilities?

• Assisted living facilities are senior living homes that are the only residential option for people who require assistance with daily activities such as cooking, using the bathroom, maintaining the house, and other chores.
• Assisted living facilities offer safety and security and 24 hours of support for such seniors. Even though assistance and care are provided 24/7, privacy and independence are encouraged.
• Assisted living facilities range from residential facilities like converted homes to apartment complexes and even to renovated schools.
• Some assisted homes provide apartment-style living that have scaled down kitchens, while others only provide rooms to stay in. If you are not willing to pay higher costs for senior housing, you might have to share a room and facilities.
• Most assisted living facilities have a group dining area to encourage social and recreational activities.

Where can I find information on senior living homes?
Apart from contacting realtors in your local area, there are websites on the Internet that can help you find information on senior living homes some of them are listed below:

• Aging life care association – This website provides information on geriatric care and has a database of care managers.
• Senior Housing 101 – This website explains the types of senior housing options available.
• Low rent apartment search – The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a searchable database of affordable and reasonable senior apartments.
• Eldercare locator – Eldercare offers a wide database of local senior housing options and community services for seniors.

What is Alzheimer’s/memory care?
Also referred to as Alzheimer’s special care unit, these are the communities that provide a safe and supportive environment for people suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Memory care homes provide the following benefits:

• Daily meals
• 24-hour supervised care
• Planned social programs
• Physical therapy
• Housekeeping laundry services