Today there are more options than ever for residential housing geared toward supporting people in their later years. Making sense of the options requires first determining how much assistance will be needed on a daily basis, as well as the kind of support needed. From there, its a matter of matching up the type of community with those needs. Then, weighing costs, location, and fit can help narrow the options to the perfect one for you or your loved one.Determining the level of support neededA good first step is to make an honest assessment of the amount of assistance needed to perform routine daily activities, or ADLs:Personal hygiene bathing and showeringDressing choosing what to wear and being able to dress and undressEating feeding oneself, not cookingMaintaining continence being able to use a restroom, including getting on and off the toiletTransferring/mobility being able to get out of bed and chairs and walk from one location to anotherFor each ADL, people can vary from needing a little support to full dependency, meaning a care partner is required to do the task for them.After assessing the amount of support needed, youll need to determine which type of community will meet those needs.Independent LivingIf someone can perform activities of daily living on their own, without help, an independent living situation may be the best option. Residents can be part of the social fabric of a vibrant community while maintaining an independent lifestyle and saving on costs.Assisted LivingAssisted living communities will provide non-medical help and some assistance with activities of daily living while encouraging residents to live as independently as possible. Apartment-style living is common in assisted living communities and residents are generally able to get around on their own. Costs for assisted living typically fall between those of independent living residences and facilities that offer skilled nursing. Wheelchair-bound seniors and those who need help with ongoing medical issues may need to consider a skilled nursing community.Skilled NursingThose needing higher levels of care will find skilled nursing communities are better equipped to handle their needs. In addition to assisting with activities of daily living, skilled nursing communities provide around-the-clock support for people who need daily medical care for chronic illnesses. They handle complex medical care and supervision, including:wound careinjectionsIV therapymonitoringphysical, occupational, and speech therapiesStays in skilled nursing communities could be short-term or long-term depending on needs. For example, short-term rehabilitation is common after an injury. During short-term rehab, treatment sessions like physical therapy are employed to achieve the goal of getting the body back in working order.Considering CostsSkilled nursing communities are typically the most expensive of the options discussed as they provide medically intensive care. In assisted living, costs vary by floor plan and according to what services and amenities are included. A variety of monetary sources should be considered as ways to pay for care. Private financing options include long-term care or life insurance policies, reverse mortgages, annuities and trusts.Government aid may be available in some circumstances when qualifications are met. Options to consider include Medicare, Managed Care, Medicaid, and PACE. Visit our FAQ page for more information on financing options.Finding the right fitAn old real estate adage states the three most important things a property should have are location, location, and location. When searching for a community, keep in mind that a good location might mean different things for different people. Does the community offer proximity to family and friends, doctors, parks and community spaces, shopping and restaurants?The best communities offer a range of options that cover changing needs. Is the community designed to offer a continuum of care? Could a resident transition from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing over time? If so, this would alleviate concerns about future needs. The best community doesnt just meet basic needs, it provides a caring atmosphere where one feels at home. Schedule a virtual tour and be sure to do a gut check. Does it feel like just a place to hang a hat or does it embrace the art of fine living at any age? Ensuring a good fit will save the cost and stress of another move.

As part of its master plan, Someren Glenis renovating all 72 of its residential living apartments. In the first phase of improvements, the plan calls for modernizing apartments for a fresh, stylish new look. The new apartments will feature open kitchens with stainless steel appliances and white or espresso cabinets, carpet and laminate plank flooring, quiet and efficient heating and cooling, stackable washer/dryer, comfort height toilets, and more. This type of renovation typically would require a homeowner to hire a contractor and live for months in a construction zone. Someren Glens approach offers a virtually stress-free renovation.Moving support with A Move Handled with CareSomeren Glen has also created a seamless move for each resident to a temporary, fully furnished apartment. A fully insured and bonded local move management company, A Move Handled with Care, sends a specialized team into each residents home to carefully pack their belongings and collectibles, store what wont be needed, and settle residents in their temporary apartment for the few weeks of construction.For residents just moving in, a Move Handled with Care provides downsizing consultation, packing, moving, and unpacking, helping guide decisions about what furniture to bring and what to sell, donate, or give away.Residents who become members of the Pioneer Club at Someren Glen will receive financial incentives and benefit from the option of a turnkey move. For a limited time, residents may reserve renovated homes at current pricing. When Pioneer Club members book a new, remodeled apartment before renovations are complete, they move into an apartment with the existing floorplan while the new one is undergoing renovations. When their new apartment is ready, residents will enjoy another move eased by the services of A Move Handled with Care. The move management team will put everything in place, even hanging pictures on the walls and making the beds!

At Someren Glen, our communities are designed around resident interests and the Fine Art of Living. As a founding community of Christian Living Communities, we are committed to maintaining our 30-year legacy of creating communities where aging is honored and celebrated AND providing the latest in modern design features. For the last year, Someren Glen has undertaken a Master Plan for the community that will carry our services to older adults well into the 21stCentury. We are now undertaking the first phase of improvements to residential living apartment homes, renovating kitchens and baths with beautiful new finishes, adding washer dryers, and modernizing apartments throughout. This is the first step in a major re-investment that will add new Town Center amenities, update all common areas, and potentially connect all parts of our campus under one roof.Residential Living Apartment Refresh Improvements Include:Open concept with open kitchenStainless steel kitchen appliancesWhite or Espresso cabinetry in kitchens and bathsSolid surface counter topsLaminate plank flooring and carpetStackable washers/dryersQuieter and more efficient heating and coolingHigh-rise toiletsNickel lighting fixturesState-of-the-art entry systemsWe have created a seamless move for each residents to a temporary, fully furnished apartment while their home is being renovated, and for a limited time are reserving renovated homes at current pricing through our Pioneer Club. We are working closely with the construction team regarding strict virus mitigation protocol that includes daily health screenings and safe paths where workers would be separated from residents. Extreme measures will be taken to ensure the health and safety of everyone at Someren Glen while still moving forward with this crucial improvement project.These innovative plans will create open, airy, sunny, comfortable spaces that take the fine art of living into the next decade and beyond. Explore the floor plan that is right for you and contact us to see what we have available to fit your needs and lifestyle. You can also schedule a live virtual tour, including a tour of an available apartment. We would love to show you around!

We hope you were able to join us for a Successful Aging webinar by Dr. Roger Landry, preventative medicine physician, President of Masterpiece Living, and author of award-winningLive Long, Die Short: A Guide to Authentic Health and Successful Aging. As a Certified Center for Successful Aging, learn how Someren Glen residents and team members cultivate a culture of growth through unique programming, active lifestyle, and meaningful community connections.Watch the recording here.

I never knew being a Concierge could be so rewarding. It has been a wonderful honor and privilege getting to know our elders who call Someren Glen their home, along with their family members who come to visit their loved ones. I have the awesome privilege to encourage those around me, listen to stories about their lives and families, and being able to offer a hug or a shoulder to cry on when needed.Just the other day while delivering the mail, I saw one of our residents and asked how she was doing. She looked up at me and said she was mad. I looked her straight in the eye and told her she didnt look mad to me, which made her laugh. She then proceeded to tell me, with tears in her eyes, how much she missed seeing her son, because he had been out of town for several weeks. I told her he had just phoned a few moments ago and wanted one of the nurses to help her place a call so that they could talk on the phone. Her face lit up and beamed with joy of the news. Tears once again returned to her eyes and I quickly reminded her how blessed she was to have children who loved her so much. With a big smile on her face, she agreed. I gave her a hug and was off to finish my deliveries. I'm glad I had taken that moment in time to engage in a brief conversation with her and offer a bit of encouragement.Other days being the first person someone meets as they enter our doors can be harder as you offer a hug and condolences to a family member who has recently lost their loved one, listening as a caregiver tearfully comes to the realization they need to place a spouse or parent, or calm the nerves of someone coming in for an interview. Being a Concierge offers a variety of ways to represent Someren Glen to those around us not only when they call in, but when a guest comes through our door.I hope youll take time today to offer a word of encouragement, a smile, or a hug to those around you. I would love to hear if you were surprised when instead of giving the blessing, you were the one who was blessed.