There are plenty of adult assisted living programs out there that provide senior housing options and supportive living under the same roof. With so many categories, it can be easy to get them mixed up, so let’s explore continuing care retirement communities.

Continuing care retirement communities offer many unique benefits to aging seniors, but chief among these benefits is the chance to get varying levels of care all on one connected campus.

Continuing care retirement communities typically offer four levels of care to their residents based on their needs.

• Independent Living: Independent living is geared toward residents who don’t need a lot of personal assistance, or any assistance at all. Usually they move into continuing care retirement communities because they’re looking for exactly what the name offers: community. They also have the assurance of knowing their needs will be met if their health declines.
• Assisted Living: Assisted living is tailored toward seniors who need a little more help in their daily lives and activities. They may receive help taking medication, cleaning or cooking, but they usually won’t need expert medical care on a regular basis.
• Memory Care: Memory care is designed to help patients at risk for Alzheimer’s or dementia. Memory care techniques aim to keep the brain active and focused to delay the onset of diseases that affect memory and cognition.
• Skilled Nursing or Rehabilitation: Patients in need of nursing or rehab are usually housed in on-campus health care centers for short or long terms, depending on need. These individuals receive expert medical care for their conditions.

With varying levels of care available in one location, seniors can be sure that they won’t have to relocate if they eventually need memory care, assisted living or skilled nursing. Since the move from home to a retirement community can be stressful, it’s often nice to know that moving again won’t be necessary.

Community care is especially great for couples with different care needs, since they can each receive the level of care they need without being separated.

Contact a retirement community with continuing care in your area if this option seems right for you or a loved one.
More can be found here.