Retirement Living: From Retirement Community to Skilled Nursing
Retirement living is an excellent option for those who are just starting to lose mobility or who simply want to live near others who are in the same stage of life. If you have just started to look into retirement and assisted living options, you might want to know more about what the different options entail. Learn the differences between a retirement community and an assisted living facility below.
Retirement Living Community
A standard retirement living setup simply allows you to live your life in peace, along with various other people who have the same wish. If you've ever cursed those young whippersnappers for their loud music and riotous living, you might want to look into the retirement communities near you. Often, communities of this sort only allow those 55 or older to live within the neighbourhood, so you can enjoy living next to like-minded people.
Additionally, the buildings and neighbourhoods that these types of communities are housed in are often built with elderly citizens in mind. You can expect your home or apartment to have more accessible rooms, bathrooms and living spaces, and some may even include call buttons if you happen to fall and need help. If you have specific needs, like fewer steps, wider doors, or a grab bar in the shower or bath, check with a coordinator from the community to ensure that the place you'll call home has everything you need to be safe and comfortable.
Assisted Living Facility
Assisted living facilities can include residents who are disabled, as well as senior citizens. The main draw of this sort of facility is that if you need help with anything, you have people right there who can provide that help—and yet this type of facility usually has a more hands-off approach when compared to options such as skilled nursing facilities. If you can generally live life on your own but you need help with certain tasks, such as bathing or getting dressed, or if you have a medical condition that keeps you from being able to live alone safely, an assisted living facility may be the right choice for you.
If you're not sure which option is the right one for your unique situation, you can talk to your doctor about your needs and then call around to the retirement living communities in your area to see which one will be the best fit.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a retirement living community near you.