Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Living Communities
No two communities are exactly alike. We pride ourselves on the unique character and personal touch to service and amenities in our communities, but we see a lot of recurring questions regarding Senior Lifestyle communities at a high level. These community questions include the following:
Assisted Living is a type of senior living option that offers care when you need it. Unlike Independent Living communities, Assisted Living communities offer daily assistance for the specific health or personal care needs of our residences. These communities typically offer three meals a day, housekeeping, assistance with personal hygiene, transportation to and from doctors appointments, medication management, and beyond.
Though Assisted Living communities provide quality care and assistance, our staff understands the value of maintaining independence for our residents. Many communities offer upscale amenities, a full calendar of events, and delightful programming for residents to enjoy.
The best way to find the right fit for yourself or a loved one is to tour a community near you. We offer in-person and digital tours to give you an in-depth look at the experience of our communities.
Independent Living communities are retirement residences for active, independent adults looking for a sense of community and an active, healthy lifestyle. These communities help keep seniors connected and inspired to pursue passions without the hassle of chores or property maintenance. Independent Living offers vibrant and lively spaces for seniors looking for an environment that promotes wellness and where they can thrive.
While each Independent Living community has its own distinct character, most are apartment homes with access to centralized resources like dining venues and laundry services, and a robust calendar of events. From cozy, humble homes to luxurious resort-style communities, Independent Living offers a broad range of communities to meet your individual needs.
The best way to find an Independent Living community is to tour a community near you. We offer in-person and digital tours for a closer look at a community’s details.
Memory Care communities are similar to Assisted Living communities, but tailor their offerings to help people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. These communities provide a safe, secure, and calming atmosphere that helps residents feel more comfortable and at ease. A team of professional nursing staff are trained in the cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms that often accompany dementia. This helps them adapt their care and interactions to create a soothing and relaxing environment for residents. Memory Care communities have security measures such as enclosed outdoor spaces and secure entries and exits to safeguard against wandering. Families can feel confident knowing their loved one is being cared for in a conscientious community built specifically to cater to their needs.
What is offered at a retirement community changes from community to community, and there is a variety of levels of care provided by senior living communities, from Independent Living for active seniors, to Assisted Living for those that need a little more help, to Memory Care for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
In general, senior living communities offer the following services and amenities:
- Housekeeping
- Laundry services
- Meal services
- Medical care
- Social activities
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Wellness programs
Services and amenities also vary between communities, and touring a community is the best way to take a deep dive.
Skilled nursing care offers specialized care for seniors recovering from surgery, an acute illness, or in need of long-term care. These communities provide expert care and around-the-clock assistance for short-term or long-term stays. Families can coordinate with skilled nursing communities to ensure their loved ones are getting the best care possible.
Skilled nursing offers seniors a rehabilitative therapy plan that promotes wellness, whether you need short-term or long-term care communities. Our skilled staff goes beyond the clinical necessities to provide compassionate care that provides a restful atmosphere for recovery. Residents receive the care they need while enjoying the comforts of home.
Skilled care communities often provide the following services:
- Orthopedic Post-surgical Rehabilitation
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
- Cardiopulmonary Therapy
- Skin Integrity
- Wound Care
- Positioning
- Cognitive Management
- Dietician Services
- Dining Assistance
- Physical Conditioning
- Activities of Daily Living Retraining
- Community Reintegration
- Pain Management
- Dialysis Transportation
- Laboratory, X-Ray and Diagnostic Services
- Podiatry Services
- Dentistry Services
- Optometry Services
- General Care Physician Services
- Psychiatric/Psychological Services
- On-Site Medical Director
Get in touch with a skilled nursing community near you for more information on the services and care available at individual communities.
The key differences between Independent Living and Assisted Living communities is the level of care provided. Independent Living communities are designed for active seniors looking for a hassle-free lifestyle and a sense of community, while Assisted Living communities are for residents that need a little extra care.
If you’re on the fence as to which type of community is right for you or your loved one, we invite you to take our Level of Care quiz today.
Financial questions
There are plenty of financial considerations to keep in mind when planning a move to a retirement or senior living community. To help those planning a transition to a community, we’ve developed a library of financial resources to give you a better understanding of your financial options. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding finances at Senior Lifestyle communities:
The Genworth Cost of Care survey calculates a ballpark estimate for Assisted Living costs in your area. Though costs vary, Genworth estimates a monthly cost between $1603 and $4300 for Assisted Living in the U.S. in 2020. The top factors that impact price are the location, number of services offered such as housekeeping and dining, and amenities provided such as fitness gyms and pools. Additionally, the health care needs of a resident can also impact cost, as a higher level of care may require more healthcare services.
Senior Lifestyle Assisted Living communities offer personalized service plans, where our professional team members help determine what services and care are right for residents. These personalized service plans are flexible to our residents and are continually adjusted as needs change.
Schedule a meeting with an Assisted Living community near you to get started with a Personalized Service Plan.
Medicaid may help cover the cost of Assisted Living, including Memory Care, but not everyone is eligible. Medicaid eligibility requirements, programs, and benefits vary from state to state, so you may need to take a closer look at your situation, your state’s Medicaid policies, and the policies of the community in consideration.
Though Medicaid can offset the costs of Assisted Living, Memory Care, skilled nursing, and emergency response systems, Medicaid will not cover room and board.
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers medical, operative, and post-operative benefits to help aging veterans. Like other military aid programs, the VA will determine if your particular discharge was deemed honorable.
The VA has a set of eligibility requirements for VA health care benefits with specific parameters, and you’ll need to apply for these benefits. Schedule a meeting with a retirement community near you for information on VA benefits and policies.
Health and wellness questions
Health and wellness is especially important for seniors. Contrary to popular belief, older adults can lead active, healthy lives, but they are often met with challenges as they age. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding health and wellness in Senior Lifestyle communities:
Senior Lifestyle communities have been proactive with concentrated and increased disinfection protocols to ensure the ongoing safety of our residents. We continue to research new and exciting developments, products, and supplies in regards to maintaining the highest sanitation protocols and precautions.
Our communities follow the CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and mask usage in every community. Every employee is required to wear a mask while in our communities. Employee screening occurs regularly during each shift to monitor for new onset signs and symptoms.
During the global pandemic, many of our communities allow small group activities in permitted areas, hallway and door activities, remote activities via web-based or phone call-in options.
Reach out to a community near you for a closer look at COVID-19 precautions and protocols.
Most Senior Lifestyle communities offer scheduled exercise classes and onsite fitness centers to help seniors find the workouts to keep them healthy and happy. From strength training to chair yoga, our communities provide the best workouts for seniors, while advising on which to avoid. Our communities provide workouts that are tailored to the abilities and interests of residents.
Reach out to an individual community for more information on exercise programming.
Most communities offer two to three chef-prepared meals a day, and some offer in-home kitchen appliances, as well. The dining team caters to the nutritional needs and requests of residents to ensure healthy and savory meals.
While each Senior Lifestyle community offers its own unique culinary experience, most of our communities feature:
- Nutritious meals to promote wellness
- Distinct and dynamic menu choices
- Decadent desserts
- Seasonal cuisine and holiday fare for special events
- Family and guest dining for deeper connections
- Menus that suit personalized and customized resident diets
- Restaurante-style dining
Moving into a Senior Living Community During COVID-19
Many seniors and their families have asked themselves if moving into a senior living community is a good decision recently. Although the global pandemic has introduced some uncertainty into our lives, our communities have acted decisively to ensure the safety and wellness of our residents. Along with following the recommendations of the WHO, CDC, and local health departments, below are some reasons moving into a senior living community is a good idea right now:
- Supplies of daily living are handled for you. There’s no need to worry about accessing grocery stores for food, medicine, and other necessities.
- Activities have been modified to allow for safe, socially distanced events. This allows residents to enjoy the company of others with peace of mind.
- We partner with national testing labs to ensure frequent testing of staff & residents. This, along with strict sanitary procedures, allow our residents to live safely.
- Access to medical care. Many of our communities offer tele-health for virtual doctor visits and have 24-hour nursing staff available so that care is always there should you need it.
The safety and wellness of our residents is our highest priority. Our communities follow the strict safety protocols recommended by the WHO, CDC, and local health departments, and our residents may need to quarantine temporarily to reduce the spread of infectious disease. Fortunately, our communities are equipped with technology to keep residents connected, even during periods of social distancing.
Seniors need socialization and a sense of community, not just for their own enjoyment, but for health reasons, as well. Our communities maintain a lively and full calendar of events and social programming, but we have modified our activities to promote the health and wellness of our residents during the global pandemic. Our communities have introduced more digital, interactive events to ensure our residents are socializing safely.
In the past year, the global pandemic has caused some uncertainty about the safety of retirement communities. As compared to in-home living, recent data shows it’s actually a safe option to live in a senior living community for several reasons. Senior living communities are safe, with a team of professionals that are prepared to handle emergencies, and promote a healthy and social environment where you can thrive rather than living in isolation at your current home.