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The Difference between Retirement Communities and Assisted Living
The Difference between Retirement Communities and Assisted Living
If you are new to the world of senior housing, the terms and vocabulary can take some time to get used to.
Sometimes people even imagine all of the options for senior living as the same – they’re “nursing” or “retirement” homes. In reality, there are many different kinds of senior housing, all with their own features.
Two of the most important differences are the independence levels of the residents and the type of care available for seniors at each type of facility. Here, we’re going to focus on the difference between two types of senior living: assisted living facilities and retirement communities.
The Level of Care
A residents of an assisted living facility need a higher level of care than residents of a retirement community. Assisted living residents need daily assistance with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs), like managing medications, bathing, dressing, driving or arranging transportation, or managing household chores. Three meals a day are provided, and the facility is staffed 24/7 with employees, including medical staff, ready to help residents if they need it. Transportation, housekeeping, and laundry services are most likely all provided.
Likewise, retirement community residents don’t need as much care as assisted living residents. You may also hear retirement communities referred to as independent living communities. This means that the seniors who live there don’t need the level of care and help with ADLs that assisted living residents do. A retirement community is designed for seniors (some communities are age restricted, at 55 and up) who can generally care for themselves.
Seniors may move to a retirement community when they just need the low-hassle lifestyle of a low-maintenance apartment or condo, want the convenience of on-site dining and entertainment, or even just want to live around people with similar interests and take advantage of the sense of community.
While assisted living facilities provide just one level of care, some retirement communities may have several levels of care available on the same campus. These retirement communities (including CCRCs, or Continuing Care Retirement Communities) feature several independent types of senior housing: assisted living residences, skilled nursing facilities, and maybe even specialized memory and dementia care.
The Staff
Assisted living facilities are not regulated by federal or state governments, so there are no strict rules about how they must be staffed. However, most large assisted living facilities employ some registered nurses full time, and smaller facilities hire visiting nurses or part-time registered nurses to supervise nurse assistants. These certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, and medical assistants provide most of the care to residents.
A retirement community, or independent living facility, probably won’t have medical professionals on site all the time. A community like this, however, will employ security staff and you’ll be able to contact them about a medical or security emergency at any time.
What Does an Assisted Living Community Look Like?
https://www.seniorsguide.com/retirement-communities/assisted-living/#header-0
Assisted living communities come in a variety of layouts, sizes, and types of housing. Their hallways and common areas are often wide and spacious, allowing for mobility devices such as wheelchairs and walkers. They tend to be on one level, or provide first floor access to elevators. Some are laid out like a typical apartment complex, while others may be sprawling, campus-wide communities.
The more encompassing campuses may also feature:
- Independent Living: An active residential community with housing, amenities, and entertainment specifically designed for independent seniors; however, these do not include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Memory Care: Tailored specifically to individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. They provide secured units where residents can wander safely, and will often utilize furnishing and design solutions that specifically help with memory issues. They may or may not be part of a larger assisted living community serving other needs.
- Skilled Nursing Care: Around-the-clock care provided by a registered nurse who monitors the health of residents while also administering necessary treatments and procedures.
What Is It Like to Live in an Assisted Living Facility?
Assisted living facilities seek to make their residents’ day-to-day lives as simple, comfortable, and engaging as possible. These communities provide everything from housekeeping to meals to 24-hour security, and help remove many daily concerns seniors would otherwise face. Residents and their families have the peace of mind knowing that if help is needed, someone is always nearby.
Residents can also spend more time enjoying their hobbies and interests, such as painting, music, playing cards, and reading – and even in many cases, cooking and gardening.
Lifestyle
Assisted living facilities are designed to cultivate a strong social connection among residents, as isolation can have a negative effect on one’s physical and mental health. Many communities have group dining and common areas. They also offer regularly planned group recreation to help keep seniors engaged, with activities ranging from creative to active such as:
- Bridge groups
- Arts and crafts
- Yoga
- Music
- Gardening
- Game nights
- Live entertainment
- Day trips or outings
Most communities encourage visitors anytime throughout the day, and many even allow family members and close friends to visit after the building has been locked up at night. Some also allow residents to have a pet, as long as it is cared for and well-behaved. Much like an apartment community, weight limits often apply.
Services
Assisted living community staff manage many daily chores. These basic services which are typically built into monthly fees. These often include:
- Meals
- Laundry
- Cleaning and housekeeping
- Transportation
Questions to Ask When Considering an Assisted Living Community
https://www.seniorsguide.com/retirement-communities/assisted-living/#header-5
Financial
- Is there an entrance fee?
- What is the monthly fee?
- What does the monthly fee cover?
- What other services are provided at an additional cost?
Social
- Does their activity program appeal to you?
- Do they have multigenerational programming?
- Is there scheduled transportation?
- Are there regular outings or field trips?
Environmental
- Does it appear to be a warm and hospitable setting?
- Do the residents seem cared for and content?
- Is there a controlled entry system (especially important if there’s a concern about your loved one wandering)?
- Visit during off hours (like in the evenings or on weekends). Does the community still look as well maintained and organized as it did during daytime hours?
Staffing
- Is the staff friendly and helpful?
- Is someone available 24 hours a day?
- How often and how many caregivers are staffed at a time?
- Does the person giving a tour of the facility know the names of the residents they pass in the hallway? This is a good indicator of the staff involvement.
- What is the average length of employment for the community?
Is Assisted Living Right for Me?
Consider the statements below. How many describe you (or your loved one)?
- Having an extra set of hands would be helpful.
- I would like to connect with others and don’t want to be isolated by living alone.
- Having meals prepared for me would be helpful.
- I no longer feel safe living in my home.
- I need help getting in and out of the tub or shower, or need help bathing.
- I need help getting dressed.
- I do not have family or friends nearby if I need help with daily tasks.
- I need help navigating the stairs of my home.
- I grab onto furniture for stability as I move around my home.
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