The great news about today’s senior living communities? They’re specifically designed to meet the needs and preferences of older adults, regardless of where they are in their journey.
If you or a loved one is living with dementia and require additional care, a senior living community can provide peace of mind. Sometimes all that is needed is a helping hand with daily tasks; having compassionate on-site staff can help lift this burden. Maybe what you are looking for is a simple yet active lifestyle that allows you to maintain your independence. Choosing a community that offers comprehensive programs and activities can allow you to continue living an engaged lifestyle without the burden of home maintenance.
Senior adults and their families are often unaware of the advantages senior living communities offer. Understanding the pros and cons of community living can help you make the most informed decision so you can continue living your best life.
Types of Senior Living Communities
The first step is gaining a better understanding of the types of communities available. Below are the most common options you can choose from, depending on your needs.
- Independent living: for individuals who value accessible, private and maintenance-free residences, with activities and social events.
- Assisted living: for those who need support with daily tasks so they can continue living an independent life.
- Memory care: for loved ones living with dementia who need a higher level of specialized care than can be provided at home.
- Skilled nursing: for individuals unable to live at home alone and need attention round-the-clock, often due to chronic illnesses or mobility issues.
Senior Living Pros and Cons: What to Consider
Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of communities available, you can start comparing the pros and cons of choosing a community to reside in or remaining in your home.
Independent Living
Active adults can enjoy a simple yet enriching lifestyle in an independent living community. Residences are specifically designed to be accessible and comfortable and can be personalized to feel more like home. Along with a wide variety of stimulating activities to choose from, nutritious dining options, exciting outings and various exercise classes are also offered.
Those who choose to remain at home often discover their houses were not built to promote aging-in-place and may require expensive renovations. Although it’s important to remain active and socially engaged, it can also become more difficult to schedule activities and find transportation alternatives to avoid social isolation.
Assisted Living
It’s not uncommon for older adults to find they need a helping hand to safely bathe, prepare meals or manage their medications. Assisted living communities provide assistance with these tasks and offer private and accessible residences, dining programs, stimulating activities, fitness classes and opportunities for social engagement.
If you or a loved one need assistance with daily tasks while living at home, a home care agency can provide for these needs. If this route is chosen, it will be important to work with family and friends to arrange for meal services, activities, socialization and fitness opportunities.
Download our helpful complementary guide, Just the Facts: Your Guide to Assisted Living.
Memory Care
Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are progressive diseases. Remaining at home and receiving care from family members may become more difficult as needs increase. Families may choose a memory care community so their loved ones can receive the highest level of care possible, with specialized care, therapies and amenities tailored to those living with cognitive impairment.
As the needs of those living with dementia continue to increase, families often discover they’re no longer able to provide the level of care needed. Quality of life may be sacrificed and safety might become an issue if the individual begins wandering. The health of caregivers can also suffer as they become exhausted from sleep disruptions and lack of respite.
Skilled Nursing
Individuals who are living with chronic illnesses or mobility issues may eventually need round-the clock care and will no longer be able to safely remain at home. Skilled nursing communities provide personal care, social interaction, healthy dining, stimulating activities and physical therapy if required.
Even if families hire outside caregivers, 24/7 care can become extremely expensive. Engaging with outside activities and social events can also become more of a challenge.
Making the Right Decision
Choosing the right path for you or your loved one isn’t always easy. It requires extensive research and careful comparisons.
Eskaton is proud to offer a personalized approach to senior living. Our carefully designed communities offer everything needed for interactive, engaged living.
When choosing a community, don’t settle. Find a living environment that complements your unique needs so you can continue enjoying a beautiful lifestyle.
Life at Eskaton Communities
We believe in the magic and purpose within each of our residents and see each day as an opportunity to enhance their lives. In fact, Eskaton is defined as “the dawning of a new day.” We’ve been proudly serving the Sacramento region and Northern California for over 50 years and look forward to many more.
The Eskaton Difference starts with our life-enriching programs and collaborative partnerships. With a national reputation for innovation, we focus on creating communities that provide our residents with everything they need for purposeful and passionate living.
We invite you to visit one of our award-winning communities to witness the magic yourself and learn about some of the amenities we offer, including:
- Private residences
- Delicious and nutritious meals
- Social opportunities to meet and make new friends
- Creative activities and therapies
- Fitness centers and exercise classes
- Housekeeping services
- Transportation services
- 24-hour staffing
- Pet-friendly
- Free Wi-Fi
- And much, much more!
If you’re considering whether senior living could be the best choice for you or a loved one, we’re here to answer any questions that you may have. We also invite you to download some helpful complementary information, Just the Facts: Your Guide to Assisted Living. To schedule a personalized tour, call us at 1-866-ESKATON (1-866-375-2866) or visit eskaton.org.
