The Maze of Senior Living Options
Ruby Care Senior Living Advisors
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Ruby Care Senior Living Advisors
Jan 29, 2023
Non-Book Market , Texas - Dallas, Collin, SE Denton & Rockwall Counties
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Where does one begin when considering or needing additional care for an elderly loved one or you are a senior and just tired of owning a home and managing the upkeep? There are a variety of options available depending on what you are looking for and what type of care if any is needed. There are so many choices and decisions to make, it can often be overwhelming. Today we are going to take a high-level view of each of the Senior Living Options available to give you an idea of some of the differences. Senior Living options are broken down into 4 major categories: Independent, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Residential Care Homes.
Let’s elaborate on the basic differences of each of the four Senior Living categories:
Independent Living (IL) - These types of communities are often beautiful resort style with lots of activities and nice amenities. Typically has a variety of apartment style floor plans. A few communities have villas or cottages options. Most have full kitchens or a kitchenette, with many have a dining room with meals plans, housekeeping, transportation, optional laundry, salon, library, gym, pool, enrichment programs, art room, movie theatre, scheduled outings, happy hour, and concierge services available. Communities often have a visiting doctor and wellness checks for their residents. Many residents still drive, and communities often accept pets. The category includes Active 55, Independent, Continuum of Care (Independent – Buy In), and Senior Housing communities. Pricing varies greatly averaging anywhere from $1000/mo. - $6,000/mo. depending on location, size, and what type of services and amenities you are looking for. There truly is something for everyone.
Assisted Living (AL)– Communities in this category can still be resort style, but vary greatly in size, atmosphere, and offerings. Most communities have studio style rooms with kitchenettes, but some have one and two bedrooms. Thought process for limited space and layout is for residents to come out to dine and engage with other residents. All provide caregivers to aid with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Medication Management, meals, housekeeping, laundry, salon, library, gym, outings, and engaging and fun activities. Many provide what they refer to as Levels of Care. Levels and capabilities vary between assisted living communities, as not all are equipped to handle high acuity care if needed, and Levels of Care add to the base monthly living cost. Community has nursing, and care giving staff as well as a visiting doctor. Only some communities accept pets. This category includes Assisted Living, Continuum of Care (AL), and Residential Care Homes. Pricing average ranges from $3500/mo. - $8000/mo. depending on community, level of care, and additional services and amenities desired.
Memory Care (MC)– These are communities that specialize in care for those with cognitive deficiencies such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injuries, etc.… Rooms are studio style and are free of kitchenettes for safety reasons. ADL care, meals, laundry, medication management, activities geared toward memory building and retention as well as general physical/mental wellbeing. Visiting doctor and staff is often trained in caring for those with memory care deficiencies. Pricing typically is all inclusive versus Levels of Care, but some communities have different areas for those that are low acuity verses those that are at a higher acuity level. Not all Memory Care communities can accept a high acuity resident. All Memory Care communities are secured, as residents are often wandering or flight risks. Communities vary in size and atmosphere. This category includes Memory Care and Residential Care Homes. Average pricing ranges from $4000/mo. - $10,000/mo. depending on community, diagnosis, evaluation of deficiency and acuity level.
Residential Care Home (RCH) – Care Homes are alternatives to larger Assisted Living and Memory Care communities that provide care in a home or home like setting. All provide caregivers to aid with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), medication management, meals, housekeeping, activities, but do not have the typical resort style amenities that the larger ALs have. The pros of and RCH is a smaller environment to navigate, caregiver to resident ratio typically 1-4, and meals and schedules can often be more customized and tailored for each resident, pricing is typically all-inclusive and very competitive to that of larger communities. Cons are that typically family has to arrange transportation to additional doctors other than PCP visiting physician, residents many times share a bathroom versus a private one, may not have as many socialization opportunities as in a larger community. More like a family home setting. Residential Care Homes can be licensed, but many are unlicensed as an assisted living community. In Texas, anyone with three or less residents (unrelated to them) does not have to be licensed. This generally creates a care ratio of three guests to one care provider.
Pricing ranges on average from $3000/mo. - $8000/mo. depending on owner/operator and evaluation of care level needed.
Even knowing which category, you may want or need, it can still be overwhelming to navigate the maze with over 900+ available options in Senior Living to choose from in the DFW area. Letting a Senior Living Advisor, such as Ruby Care Senior Living Advisors, bring their expertise and experience to help narrow down your choices based on your personal preferences and needs. A Senior Living Advisor can be an advocate and resource in your corner, while walking you through the process. Having a Ruby Care team member to ease the stress of making this life changing transition for you and all involved at no cost to you is priceless. Call Ruby Care today and let our team of Senior Living experts help you to find the place that is right for you or your loved one.
#seniorliving #seniorcare#independentliving #assistedliving #memorycare #residentialcarehomes #RUBYCARE #NPRATX #decisions #rubycarelife#rubycareseniorlivingsdvisors
Britt Hemsell – Ruby Care Senior Living Advisor/Blog Contributor
- To view the original version of this article visit rubycaresenior.com
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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