“Senior Living” and what it means has changed vastly over the years.  Decades ago, the term “Senior Living” used to connote unattractive, dreary living environments for aging adults.  Fast forward to today.  Good senior living options are now available, and they represent a very different picture.

Here are some essential things to keep in mind as you begin your search for senior living:

Be Educated About the Different Levels of Senior Living

Senior living is divided into different levels based on one’s needs, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing. All excellent senior living communities provide a welcoming environment, instant socialization, delicious meals, and built-in safety measures throughout each community to minimize the risk of falls.

Independent Living – These communities are for people who can still function independently. Meals, an activities calendar, transportation, and housekeeping are provided to various degrees, depending on the community. There should also be a workout room with age-appropriate equipment.

Assisted Living – These communities provide help for seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and taking the proper medications. Look for 24-hour licensed nursing in an outstanding Assisted Living Community, along with a calendar of events, meals, and fitness activities.

Memory Care – Seek a Memory Care Community that provides a customized care plan developed out of a personalized profile. An exemplary Memory Care Community should also offer the levels of care available in an Assisted Living Community in addition to providing the help needed through the various stages of dementia. Also included should be meals, an activities calendar appropriate to this population, and fitness classes that foster socialization and mental health.

Skilled Nursing – These facilities generally provide transitional care. Patients go from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility to continue their recovery, and skilled nursing facilities usually provide trained registered nurses with a doctor’s supervision.

Know the Difference Between a “Rental” and a “Buy-In” Senior Living Community

A Buy-In Senior Living Community requires a large buy-in fee, usually hundreds of thousands of dollars. It typically offers a continuum of care where one may age in place, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing.

A Rental Senior Living Community, on the other hand, can offer a continuum of care, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, but not Skilled Nursing. The monthly rents are usually a package that includes one’s apartment and also meals, transportation, a daily activity calendar, and housekeeping.

The biggest difference between Buy-In and Rental senior living communities is that in a rental community, there is not the financial risk involved as there is with a buy-in. You pay monthly rent, and you remain in control of the rest of your retirement savings, allowing your savings to grow if you choose to invest.

Consider Tradition Senior Living

When beginning your search for a senior living community, look for a welcoming and beautiful living environment.  Tradition Senior Living rental communities provide exquisite interiors with antiques and crown moldings. All our Tradition communities offer fine dining, a fitness center with extraordinary equipment, a constant flow of fun and informative social activities, and programs that foster mental and physical health. Each Tradition Campus includes a continuum of care comprising Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Tradition Senior Living communities are situated in five locations: two in Dallas, two in Houston, and one newly opened in Fort Worth.

If you have just begun your search for a senior living community, we invite you to schedule a tour with us today!   Visit www.thetradition.com and fill out our form.