Everyone ages a bit differently. We all have unique needs, personalities, interests and preferences.
As time goes on, people require varying levels of assistance in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and engage in activities they enjoy as part of their everyday lives. Sometimes, it is the children, relatives or friends that begin to notice it is getting more difficult for a loved one to do the things they once did, or that their health is beginning to decline. Regardless of where the nudge comes from, the time may come to consider moving into a community that offers independent retirement apartments, assisted living, rehabilitation and/or skilled nursing care. For many people, the decision to find a community that offers all of these services is often the best choice.
There are many considerations to take into account in finding the right community. For instance, couples often have different needs. One spouse may be younger than the other or in better health and may not require much, if any, assistance. However, his or her spouse might require some help every day and as the spouse ages and his or her disease or condition progresses, might require more assistance as time goes on. In other instances, people want to remain active and engaged, but living at home alone is isolating and they begin to feel disconnected from the world. Having people to socialize with, engaging activities such as cultural entertainment, movie nights, exercise classes, book clubs, and homemade kosher meals can make all the difference in the world.
What is a CCRC?
Moving into a vibrant community, where the person can move in and live independently and have services added as they need them, makes for a smoother transition for most people. This is the lifestyle offered by a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Finding the right CCRC means that instead of making a series of decisions and moving to a different location when needs change, the person can stay within the same community to get the help they need to be as independent as possible.
Some CCRC’s also have comprehensive rehabilitation services, so if surgery is needed at some point and the person requires rehabilitation afterward, they can recover in the rehabilitation center onsite and then return to their apartment after rehabilitation is complete. The same is true for skilled nursing services and often memory care or hospice services as well. Receiving care from people you know in an environment that is familiar and comfortable reduces the stress that can come with increasing health needs. Most people will tell you they want to remain at home as long as possible. When “home” has all the services you might need for the future, a huge burden is removed, health care decisions become easier and you can live life to the fullest.
Where you live influences how well you live. So, choose wisely, ask questions and take the time to think about what will make you happiest in the long term. For more information about senior living talk to a retirement counselor at [email protected] or call us and ask for Laura Zellhofer, 773-271-0300.