Choosing the right level of care when deciding on senior living is no easy task. Whether you are choosing a new home for yourself or a loved one, determining the right level of care is a top priority.
With the life expectancy increasing, senior living is becoming more popular. There are a number of different types of communities available, but determining which one is the right fit for you or your loved one can be a challenge – that’s where Brookdale Senior Living comes in. Choosing the perfect home for mom is important to us because we want the care she receives to be as if her loved ones are doing it. Safety and comfortability are important but we also want a staff that stays in close communication with the family. While searching for a new home for my mother-in-law, I reached out to them and was shocked at how much senior living has expanded in recent years. It is not the nursing homes we remember from our youth, there are now a number of options available.
The first option is Independent Living communities. Independent Living is designed to feel and function like a private residence without the hassles of owning a home. There are opportunities to participate in fun activities including (but not limited to) social activities like fitness classes, social gatherings, yoga, arts and crafts and excursions. In addition, the option to have your meals provided are available, as well.
Besides Independent Living there is Assisted Living. While they are both very similar, with social activities and gatherings in abundance, Assisted Living is for those people who require a bit more help with their day-to-day living than residents in independent living. Brookdale Senior Living also offers Assisted Living equipped with programs and team members who can provide support from assistance with daily living and basic care to recreational activities and transportation.
When more care is needed there is also the option of Skilled Nursing Care and Memory Care. Memory Care is for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing your loved one is safe and well cared for will provide comfort to you. Your loved one would live in a home-like environment with safety features, surrounded by peers and nurturing staff members. Skilled Nursing is a great option when someone you love isn’t well enough to go home but no longer needs to stay in the hospital. Skilled Nursing provides your loved one with the advanced medical resources they may need in an environment that feels like home.
Brookdale Senior Living also has Continuing Care Retirement Communities or CCRC. In these communities, multiple levels of care are available in a single place. This means if you or a loved one starts their journey in Independent Living they can then move to Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing Care or Memory Care as needed. They will be familiar with their surroundings and will still be close to their new friends. A Continuing Care Retirement Community may be a good fit for you or loved one if you want peace of mind knowing you likely won’t have to move if your needs change and if you are ready for an upgrade in your social life and activities calendar.
If you are considering Senior Living, Visit Brookdale’s website to learn more about communities near you here.
