Talking with your family about long-term care may not be an easy conversation — but it is important to weigh your options well before you have a need for these services. Costs, in-home services and location are three factors that can influence what type of care is right for you. To make sure you have a plan in place, it’s easier to make these decisions when you and your spouse or family member are in good physical and mental health. Waiting until your health needs change may limit your options.
Despite popular belief, nursing homes aren’t the only option when it comes to long-term care. Once you understand the differences between the retirement living choices available, you can discuss your options with confidence. When it comes down to decision time, you and your spouse or family can make an informed decision with careful planning and minimal steps.
Options for long-term retirement living and care include:
- Independent living
- Aging at home
- Health services
Independent Living
If you want the convenience of living in your own private residence at a community location, independent living may be an option to consider. These residences range from apartment homes and traditional neighborhood homes to Life Plan Communities, and you can pick one that best fits your budget. Independent living offers a level of freedom that lets you focus on what you want — whether it’s community outings, fitness, or going to the spa.
Life Plan Communities
Previously known as a Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), this type of independent living community offers private residences and a package of services and amenities which may include housekeeping, home maintenance, restaurant style dining, fitness facilities and clubs and activities. Life Plan Communities also have a full suite of health services based on changing needs over time available on-site including assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care. Some Life Plan Communities also provide Life Care, meaning a resident’s health care costs are protected from market changes, and that they can still receive care if they outlive their assets.
Age-restricted independent Living Communities
Age-restricted independent living communities are also an option for individuals who want to downsize from their current homes and have all the conveniences of maintenance free living and restaurant style dining. An important factor to consider when choosing this kind of independent living community is that once an individual’s health needs change, they are responsible for coordinating care, and most times must pay market rate to bring in supportive services or make a move to a community offering assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing.
Aging at Home
The perks of independent living might sound nice to you. But, maybe you’re thinking you would rather spend your retirement in the comfort of your own home. If so, you’re not alone. A study by AARP showed that 76 percent of adults 50 and older want to stay in their current home as they age. While many retirement communities offer resort-style living and a variety of amenities, many people opt to enjoy their retirement in the homes they know and love.
When it comes to aging at home, you can plan to “pay as you go” to cover costs as they arise, or you can join a continuing care at home (CCaH) program.
Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) Programs
Continuing care at home (CCaH) programs allow members to access many of the support and benefits of a retirement community while remaining in their own homes. CCaH programs include a wide range of health and wellbeing services to help members remain independent and age successfully. These can include lifestyle and fitness classes, nutritional support, personal response devices and more.
Sun Health At Home is an example of a CCaH. If you became a Sun Health At Home member, you will receive support from a personal Wellness Coordinator who will help you get the assistance you need based on your specific needs.
Health Services
Should your health needs change to the point where living independently is no longer an option, health services can provide care and additional assistance with activities of daily living. If you choose to move to a Life Plan Community or join a CCaH program, you will have the assurance that you already have a plan in place for how you will receive future care. For others, they may wait until care is needed before planning on how and where to receive that care.
The health services umbrella encompasses the following:
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Skilled nursing
- Rehabilitation
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities (also known as assisted living facilities) are designed so people can live semi-independently in a supervised setting with daily support. Certified caregivers help residents with medication management, grooming, housekeeping and more. With these tasks taken care of, you’ll have more time to focus on your day-to-day routine and independent activities.
Many assisted living communities focus on group activities to increase social interaction. For example, you might take recreational trips to the movies, sporting events, art centers and fitness classes, among others.
When comparing assisted living communities, it’s important to look at the specific services they provide and how often. For example, do they provide one meal a day or two? If they provide transportation, does that mean the organization has a community van to take you to recreational activities or do they coordinate transportation services through cabs or ride sharing programs? Finding answers to these questions will help you find a community that best fits your needs.
Memory Care
Communities offering memory support provide secure residences for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Many of the programs for memory support match those of assisted living when it comes to daily activities, support with grooming, dining and medication with an added focus on keeping residents safe from wandering or becoming confused. There are different levels of licensing for communities offering memory care based on the level of support you or your loved one receive, so it is important to understand how communities compare and if there will become a point where the community requires an individual to move to a skilled nursing environment. Although memory support services cannot cure Alzheimer’s or dementia, they can help reduce stress and improve the quality of life.
Skilled Nursing
There are many names and options for care associated with skilled nursing – including health care centers, rehabilitation, nursing homes or convalescence homes. Skilled nursing teams are available to help with daily activities like bathing, getting dressed, administering medication in addition to changing IVs, providing wound care, tube feeding, and supporting individuals with rapidly changing care needs.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation encompasses short-term, in-patient or outpatient care for individuals who are recovering from illness, hospitalization or surgery and may need assistance in their normal routine. The goal for those receiving rehabilitation care is to return to wherever they call home.
Next Steps
Now that you’re familiar with the many options for independent living and health services, you can have a thoughtful conversation with your partner or family. Even if you are in good health, it’s helpful to have these conversations now, in order to plan for the future. To further explore the options available from Sun Health Communities we invite you to see how the options compare here.
