For more information about the author, click to view their website: Vi at Bentley Village
From figuring out what type of care you need to finding a community that’s the right fit for you, wrapping your arms around the world of senior living can feel like an overwhelming task.
Senior living is also associated with a lot of acronyms and technical terms. Your research is going to be a lot easier if you understand some of the most common terms — and just think of all the fun facts you can share at your next cocktail party!
With that in mind, we’ve put together a glossary of some terms you’ll want to know related to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more. We hope this helps you feel more prepared to make the best senior living decision and fully enjoy the next part of your retirement.
Accreditation is one way for prospective residents and their families to weigh their senior living options using objective criteria.
This process measures how a senior living facility stacks up to an established standard. Senior living accreditation is especially prevalent in assisted living. Accreditation bodies in this space include The Joint Commission, CARF International, and Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
While not an official accreditation body, Medicare.gov’s Nursing Home Compare website also offers an objective five-star rating system for patients and their families to evaluate nursing homes, home health services, hospice care, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals and more.
ADLs include everyday tasks that seniors in assisted living may need help with, including:
Aging in place refers to remaining at home as you get older, rather than moving into a senior living community. More than three quarters of adults 50 and older want to age in place at home for as long as possible, according to an AARP survey.
Is it right for you? Learn about the pros and cons of aging in place versus moving to a senior living community.
These healthcare workers provide personal care to patients, including assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and medication management. CNAs, also known as nursing assistants, nurse's aids or patient care assistants, work in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities.
This is an umbrella term for any residential community where residents have their own private living space but share some communal living spaces, such as dining rooms, recreational and wellness areas, outdoor spaces, and other social gathering places.
Senior living communities are an example of congregate housing.
In these communities, residents enjoy an independent lifestyle along with access to a care center that offers a comprehensive continuum of care, including assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care.
CCRCs offer three different types of contracts, some of which build care access into monthly fees and offer it on site, while others provide care (or access to off-site care) at market rates.
CCRCs are also sometimes known as Life Plan Communities.
This term refers to the levels of healthcare services available to senior living residents. In a Continuing Care Retirement Community or Life Plan Community, Independent Living residents have access to all levels of care along the continuum, starting with independent living and including assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care.
DONs are ultimately responsible for all nursing care in their facility and will also communicate with residents and their families and physicians as needed. These registered nurses are responsible for supervising the operations and staffing of a nursing unit, including clinical, financial, HR, and quality assurance.
This United States federal statute was signed into law in 1996. Most notably, HIPAA’s Privacy Rule (Article 2) protects patients’ protected health information, including medical records and any data that is considered “individually identifiable.”
This rule also gives individual patients the right to:
For seniors who are aging in place at home, home health care providers can offer assistance.
They have a range of skill levels and credentialing, from unlicensed personal care aides who provide non-medical care and companionship to licensed professional nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses who can provide higher-level medical care.
In independent living, seniors live on their own with a lower-maintenance lifestyle that allows them to fully enjoy their retirement.
Independent living residents can take advantage of a variety of services and amenities included with their monthly expenses, including home maintenance, chef-prepared meals, and wellness activities.
These healthcare professionals work under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse to monitor patients, administer medications, and ensure a resident’s care plan is carried out properly. Their responsibilities may also include taking vital signs, charting, inserting catheters, providing wound care and more.
Another term for Continuing Care Retirement Community.
If you can’t make decisions for yourself, these written instructions can dictate your medical wishes. They’re also known as advance healthcare directives, personal directives, advance directives, medical directives or advance decisions.
Doctors, caregivers and loved ones will need these documents if you’re terminally ill, in a coma, living with advanced dementia, seriously injured or nearing the end of your life.
For those who are no longer able to live on their own, these facilities provide medical and personal care and support. Despite the name, patients don’t always remain in long-term care permanently and can often move back home or into independent living after they recover from an illness, surgery, fall or other malady.
Nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities are examples of long-term care facilities.
According to the Administration for Community Living, an adult turning 65 has a nearly 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care.
These insurance policies defray the costs of care for chronic medical conditions or disabilities.
Long-term care insurance policies may reimburse you for costs associated with home health care and treatment in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult day care centers. A policy may also dovetail with the services offered in a Continuing Care Retirement Community.
Memory care, also known as memory support, provides comprehensive care for patients diagnosed with more advanced dementia conditions, including Alzheimer’s Disease.
Caregivers in these facilities design custom treatment plans, in partnership with doctors and family members, to manage residents’ cognitive decline and keep them engaged with their lives.
In nursing care facilities, residents receive specialized, highly supervised medical care, either long-term or as they recover from a surgery or illness.
The term is sometimes incorrectly used as a catch-all for senior living communities or standalone assisted living facilities. But in fact, it refers only to communities where residents receive around-the-clock skilled nursing care.
A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed medical professional who can work in a variety of medical and community settings.
RNs work hands-on with patients and alongside doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Most residential care homes offer care like what assisted living residents receive — but on a smaller scale. These intimate senior living communities are home-like settings that offer personalized care for a small number of residents (think 10 residents as opposed to hundreds).
This population is made up of middle-aged adults who are caregivers and/or providers for both their own children and their aging parents.
Senior move managers help seniors prepare (both physically and emotionally) for a relocation to a senior living community or other facility.
Senior move managers can assist with downsizing, estate sales and auctions, donations, packing and unpacking, the move itself and even creating floor plans for a new residence.
Skilled nursing is around-the-clock, hands-on care that could include physical, occupational and/or speech therapy. In skilled nursing, licensed professionals create and manage care plans that are tailored to each resident’s individual needs.
Seniors might require short-term skilled nursing services for post-surgery recovery or rehabilitation, or they might need longer-term nursing care.
This design approach is focused on creating spaces that are accessible to all people regardless of age, disability, and other factors that traditional design might limit.
Universal design in a residential environment could include no-step entryways, wider doors and hallways, adjustable-height counters, non-slip surfaces and grab bars in bathrooms, lever-style door handles, and more.
Senior living communities that are directly affiliated with a nearby higher-education institution are known as UBRCs. University-based retirement communities are formally tied to the university and encourage lifelong learning as well as interaction between community residents and the general student population. They are an especially powerful draw to university alumni, retired faculty and former employees.
Many are Continuing Care Retirement Communities that offer residents access to the full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care.
This Veterans Administration (VA) pension benefit provides tax-free funds for long-term care services to veterans and their surviving spouses.
In general, the VA does not pay for room and board or basic services in assisted living, but funds from this program can be used to pay any expenses associated with long-term care, including residential expenses in assisted living.
To find out if you qualify, contact the VA.
Moving is challenging at any stage of life, but for seniors, it can be particularly overwhelming. Whether transitioning to a senior living community, downsizing, or moving in with family, having the right senior moving companies can make all the difference. In this guide, well explore how relocation services for elderly individuals can ease the process, ensure a smooth transition, and reduce stress.Why Specialized Senior Moving Services MatterUnlike standard moving companies, senior-focused moving services understand the unique emotional and logistical challenges of relocating later in life. From carefully handling sentimental belongings to coordinating a move into an assisted living community, these services ensure a seamless experience for seniors and their families. Steps to a Smooth Senior Relocation1. Plan Early and Create a Moving TimelineMoving requires careful planning, especially for seniors. A structured timeline can help prevent last-minute stress. Key steps include:Decluttering and deciding what to keep, donate, or discardResearching relocation services for elderly individualsSetting up transportation and accommodations in advance2. Hire a Senior-Focused Moving CompanyNot all movers are equipped to handle senior relocations. Look for senior moving companies that offer:Packing and unpacking servicesFurniture placement at the new residenceEmotional support and patience during the transitionCoordination with family members or care providers3. Downsize ThoughtfullyMany seniors need to downsize before moving. To make the process easier:Start early to avoid feeling rushedSort items into keep, donate, sell, and discard categoriesDigitize important documents and photos to reduce clutter4. Prepare for Moving DayEnsuring everything is in order before moving day will prevent unnecessary stress. Key preparation steps include:Packing a personal essentials bag with medications, important documents, and daily necessitiesLabeling boxes clearly for easy unpackingConfirming transportation arrangements for the senior and their belongings Additional Tips for a Smooth TransitionVisit the new residence in advance: Familiarizing seniors with their new environment can ease anxiety.Involve family members: Emotional support from loved ones makes a big difference.Consider professional organizers: They can help simplify the downsizing process.Keep a positive outlook: Remind seniors that moving can be a fresh start with new opportunities for socialization and care. Making Senior Moving Stress-FreeRelocating can be overwhelming, but with the right senior moving companies and proper planning, it can be a smooth and positive experience. Whether you're moving yourself or helping a loved one, using relocation services for elderly individuals can ensure a stress-free transition.At Seniors Blue Book, we connect families with trusted moving specialists who understand the needs of seniors. Need help with senior moving services? Contact Seniors Blue Book today at hello@seniorsbluebook.com or call 800-201-9989 for expert guidance!
You may have heard about senior placement agencies, but if you are not sure how they work or what they do, you arent the only one. Most families are not sure how to help elderly loved ones when they need to find an assisted living community or how to choose nursing homes that will provide loving care and have reasonable occupancy rates.Heres what you need to know about making an informed decision about communities in your local area so your elderly loved one can have the best possible living situation. Keep things like cost, personalized assistance, and quality of life in mind. How Online Senior Placement Agencies OperateIn todays world, its natural to research products and services online. However, when it comes to researching assisted living and memory care options for your loved one, beware! It can be confusing to understand how online senior placement agencies operate. When youre not clear on what senior placement services will do for you and your loved one or whether senior living placement services have your loved ones best interests in mind, its best to take a step back and do some additional research before committing to an agency. Whether you want to move your loved one into an assisted living community or somewhere else, heres what you need to know. An Example of Assisted Living ConfusionWhen you search for assisted living communities in your search engine, you may see numerous websites that are not assisted living facilities. Rather, theyre online agencies contracted with multiple assisted living providers in the given area. As you access their website information, you will notice that you are not reviewing the services and amenities of a specific assisted living or memory care community.If you call or enter your contact information into an online agencys website, your information may be emailed to multiple assisted living providers. This results in numerous phone calls and emails inquiring about your loved one and inviting you for a tour. Additionally, you may never meet their senior advisor other than by phone or email.While this process may be perfectly acceptable to you, please remember that it can occur during a stressful period when you must make a quick care decision for your loved one. It could also happen when youre not ready to decide because you are just doing some initial investigating.Theres certainly no risk to searching an online agencys website. Still, a good practice is to click on their privacy link at the bottom of their homepage to understand how they will disclose your information before providing your contact information. Should You Just Pick an Assisted Living Community?Some family members will choose a random senior living community for their loved ones. The decision may be because the community advertises independent living, is close to home, or the reviews look good. Unfortunately, thats not really a good way to select a senior care facility.Theres much more to finding quality independent or assisted living communities than a quick search. In general, you should look at senior living options with an eye toward medical care, financial burden, quality of senior care, living arrangements, desired location, and whether they can create a smooth transition for your loved one.If you think that sounds overwhelming, youre not alone. Making informed decisions can be hard, especially with so many senior living option considerations. Many seniors cannot safely make their own choices and rely on a family member to help them. Even if you do your own research, you may still not be confident that you are choosing the best place to support your aging loved one. How CarePatrols Senior Care Advisors Are Different Trying to go it alone when choosing a senior living community can be too difficult, but what if you dont want to give your contact information to senior placement services that are going to inundate you with calls during an already stressful time? Are those the only two ways you can find a senior living space for your loved one?Fortunately, theres a third option: CarePatrol.At CarePatrol, your contact information is treated confidentially until you wish to disclose it to a senior living provider to whom we introduce you. We offer a local, personalized, hands-on approach by preferring to meet with you in person, pick you up and accompany you on tours, and meet with your loved one at home, the hospital, a rehab facility, or wherever they are.Were not your typical senior placement agency. Were highly focused on helping people find assisted living communities or other senior living options for their loved ones. Our goal is to provide you with a stress-free process that doesnt add to your confusion or concern during an already difficult time.Our free service was started by a social worker after seeing the trauma inflicted on a family whose loved one was placed in the wrong kind of facility for their needs. We worked hard to become the pioneer organization and referral agency for placing loved ones in senior care, and we continue to focus on seniors and their families when they need us most.As a national network of local small business franchise owners, CarePatrols mission statement is to provide safer care options for seniors. What You Can Expect from Working with UsOur local senior care advisors are franchise owners who understand the value of protecting older adults and want to provide them with essential care options to meet their needs. If you have a loved one ready to move to a senior care community or need more than in-home care can provide, working with us can give you information and options.The aging process is complex, and many factors work together to influence the outcome of a senior living decision. We can help you navigate social, health, and financial concerns to find the right care option. Our local senior care advisors pre-screen all our facilities, so youll know what youre getting when we connect you.Working with us takes all the guesswork out of finding the right care options for your senior loved one so both of you can relax and enjoy more time together. Were honored to provide the value we offer to seniors and their families and are deeply committed to ensuring that your loved one will get the care they need in a comfortable place they can truly call home. Ready to Learn More?Reach out to us at CarePatrol of Western PA to discuss senior care options in your area. Our placement agency offers a free service to help you and your loved one find the right senior care option for their needs. The senior care industry can be difficult to navigate at times, especially for older adults, but with a little extra help, valuable insights, and a free consultation, you can decide if CarePatrols help is right for your loved one.Reach out to us today at 724-631-4950.
Yes, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) often offer pickleball as part of their recreational and wellness programs. CCRCs are designed to provide a range of care options, from independent living to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, all within one community. Because many CCRCs prioritize the health and well-being of their residents, they often include amenities that encourage physical activity and social engagement, and pickleball fits that criteria perfectly.Heres why pickleball is commonly available in CCRCs:Active Lifestyle: Since many CCRCs cater to seniors who are still able to live independently or semi-independently, they tend to offer a variety of activities to keep residents active and engaged. Pickleball is especially popular in these communities because its easy on the joints, yet provides a great cardiovascular workout and promotes mobility.Wellness Focus: CCRCs usually have a strong focus on wellness and holistic health. This includes offering fitness programs, outdoor activities, and sports like pickleball, which encourage physical exercise and social interaction.Socialization: Pickleball is a great way for residents to meet others, socialize, and stay mentally sharp, which are important aspects of life in a CCRC.Adaptability: Many CCRCs have facilities that can adapt to various levels of physical ability. They may offer different levels of play, from casual matches to organized tournaments, and may even provide training or coaching for those new to the game.Some examples of CCRC amenities where pickleball is commonly offered include:Outdoor pickleball courts (sometimes shared with other recreational activities)Indoor courts for all-weather playPickleball leagues or tournaments for residents to compete or socializeTo find a CCRC that offers pickleball, its best to inquire directly with the community youre interested in to confirm what recreational activities they provide. Many larger, more upscale CCRCs are likely to have pickleball courts, given the popularity of the sport.For more information, please go to: www.seniorhousingsolutions.net
Vi at Bentley Village offers a luxurious senior living experience in Naples, Florida, encompassing 156 acres of private par-3 golf, modern cuisine, exceptional amenities, and lush surroundings. With over 30 floor plans to choose from, residents can personalize their living spaces. Beyond elegant apartments, residents enjoy stylish common areas and resort-style amenities.Our dedicated service staff ensures residents have more time to enjoy life, handling everyday routines. Culinary delights are a highlight, with our team crafting imaginative fare from grab-and-go breakfast smoothies to gourmet meals. Should care be needed, our on-site care center provides peace of mind, with Type A CCRC offerings ensuring predictable financial planning for future care needs.Connect with us to stay updated on community news and events. Visit us at 850 Retreat Dr. in Naples, FL
Vi at Bentley Village offers a luxurious senior living experience in Naples, Florida, encompassing 156 acres of private par-3 golf, modern cuisine, exceptional amenities, and lush surroundings. With over 30 floor plans to choose from, residents can personalize their living spaces. Beyond elegant apartments, residents enjoy stylish common areas and resort-style amenities.Our dedicated service staff ensures residents have more time to enjoy life, handling everyday routines. Culinary delights are a highlight, with our team crafting imaginative fare from grab-and-go breakfast smoothies to gourmet meals. Should care be needed, our on-site care center provides peace of mind, with Type A CCRC offerings ensuring predictable financial planning for future care needs.Connect with us to stay updated on community news and events. Visit us at 850 Retreat Dr. in Naples, FL
Vi at Bentley Village is a Type A luxury Life-Plan Community that provides residents with independent living, as well as a continuum of care, including Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, and Memory Support on-site. Plus, with a host of services and amenities offered especially for your convenience, you will have the freedom and the free time to make the most of your vibrant lifestyle.