Exploring the Senior Living Roadmap in a Continuing Care Retirement Community

Finding a retirement community sees you as an individual with your own unique circumstances, requirements, preferences, and desires is extremely important. However, understanding the levels of care within a retirement community and what each includes can be overwhelming. Navigating the senior living roadmap can be daunting, but our tips and resources are the best place to start.

Before we look at each level of care separately, it’s important to learn what a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is. CCRCs have all care levels available in one community, such as independent living, assisted living, healthcare centers, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care.

Independent Living

Independent living is usually an option for those aged 55 and over. Residents can live independently but prefer the companionship and convenience of a community designed to meet their lifestyle needs.

Independent living communities offer living options with services like housekeeping, maintenance, and security. Residents also have access to amenities such as fitness centers, social activities, and educational programs. These amenities promote an active and engaging lifestyle while maintaining independence.

The focus of independent living is to simplify everyday tasks, allowing residents to enjoy interests and hobbies in a friendly and supportive environment.

Independent living may be a good fit if you are:

• Ready for someone else to handle the household chores and maintenance
• Looking for an active social life filled with friends and neighbors living right next door
• Ready to enjoy a variety of activities and events that peak your interests, both at the senior living community or in the larger community near you

Assisted Living

If you need extra help with tasks like personal care and medication management, assisted living might be the option for you. Staff is available 24 hours a day to help with everything from activities of daily living to housekeeping – allowing you to do focus on the things you love.

Assisted living may be a good fit if you:

• Could benefit from having more personal care services than you have at home
• Need a little extra help with certain activities of daily living, like dressing, bathing, or managing medication
• Want supportive care but don’t require the round-the-clock skilled nursing care found in healthcare centers

Healthcare Center

Healthcare Centers (often referred to as Skilled Nursing Facilities) are where you go to recover, rehabilitate, or receive quality, long-term care. Whether you need to stay for a short time after a surgery or other medical issue or you need round-the-clock licensed care, healthcare centers provide clinical resources in a supportive, comfortable setting.

A healthcare center may be a good fit if you need:

• A little extra care after a hospitalization but anticipate being able to return home or to another type of senior living community
• A short-term stay for rehabilitation (like physical, speech, or occupational therapy) after being hospitalized
• Medical and personal care that have become too great to handle at home or in assisted living.

Memory Care

Memory care is designed for older adults living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. There are two main types of care available – assisted living and skilled nursing. In assisted living memory care, residents receive help with their activities of daily living while in a secure environment. These environments are designed for those with memory challenges.

The second type of care is skilled nursing. Skilled nursing memory care is similar to assisted living memory care, with the added assistance of help with daily activities, such as someone need help feeding themselves.

Memory care may be a good fit if you are:

• Worried about the safety and security of your loved one due to their declining cognitive abilities
• Noticing a decline in your loved one’s personal care or social life, related to their memory loss
• Experiencing or concerned about caregiver burnout while caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia

Assessing Needs and Preferences

Begin by evaluating you or your loved one’s physical, emotional, and cognitive conditions in detail to decide on the most suitable level of care. There are professionals at senior living communities to help guide you with these decisions. Don’t let the process overwhelm you and never be afraid to ask about what resources are offered.

Researching and Touring Communities

Start by exploring communities in your desired living location. Arrange visits at prospective communities to see the setting, observe how staff interact with residents, and what amenities are offered. Always ask for a brochure detailing the community so you can compare the communities that you have visited.

Whenever possible, talk to current residents to gauge their opinions about the community and its employees. Compile a list of questions before the tour, concentrating on aspects such as the ratio of staff to residents, emergency plans, food offerings and dietary modifications, and lifestyle activities.

Consulting with Professionals

Consult with medical experts, including physicians, social workers, and geriatric care professionals, who can help provide advice tailored to the unique needs of you or your loved one. Look into speaking with financial advisors specializing in elder law to understand the financial aspects of care for older adults.

We’re Here to Help

No matter what care level you think is best for you or your loved one, the process of navigating the senior living roadmap can be overwhelming. The Ohio Masonic Communities is here to help with that journey. We’ve created a series of guides that answer some of the biggest questions about aging and senior living. To download one of our Here to Help guides, visit omcoh.org/heretohelp.

Does navigating the senior living roadmap and levels of care still seem overwhelming? We’re here to help at all stages! If you or a loved one is considering a senior living community, consider taking a tour of one of The Ohio Masonic Communities campuses. With three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio – each offers premier living options with exceptional experiences so residents can live their best lives. If you are interested in learning more about one of our communities, give us a call at 1-877-881-1623. We will be happy to answer all your questions and be a trusted resource in the search for the right community for you!