The differences between senior communities can be confusing, especially when a family is forced to make unexpected decisions. At a seminar held at Concordia, everyone was invited to listen to four professionals talk about choices for seniors.
Each member of the panel represented a different senior community, and each community has different features and pricing.
Moderator Alison Van Hecke provided some written definitions. Heck is a real estate professional who often works with seniors. Her group, Lighthouse, is sponsoring a series of seminars called, The Senior Truth Series.
An "independent senior living community" is not licensed and may be affiliated with a church or another organization. There's a minimum age requirement and no medical care is provided, but often housekeeping and meals are.
An "assisted living community" is licensed and has 24-hour staffing. Assistance with day-to-day activities, including grooming and medication management, are provided.
A "skilled nursing facility" is often called a nursing home and caters to residents who need more care than available in assisted living. A stay in a skilled nursing facility can be temporary while the patient recovers from a medical issue.
"Memory care" is devoted to residents with some form of dementia and is usually a secured environment.
A "continuing care retirement community" allows for different levels of care as needed. Residents sign a life-care contract and may have to pass a physical when they enter.
There is also subsidized and low-income housing for people who are over 55, but they don't offer any care and sometimes have a waiting list.
Cindee Johnson of Concordia said that residents there are looking for freedom from some mundane chores including yard work and cooking. Many residents are also interested in socializing with other seniors.
Megan Cosgrove of The Meadows said assisted living allows her residents to maintain a quality of life.
At Magnolia Place, a memory-care facility, residents often move in for their own safety, Krista Hamilton said. Often caregivers suffer burn-out and need to find a place for their loved ones.
Johnson had advice for people looking for a facility.
"First try lunch," she said. Food service is important to seniors.
Erin Hagar of Village on the Park said the move-in process begins with a phone call, but residents also need to be seen for an assessment and their doctor is often consulted.
Cosgrove said her facility has a similar process and it usually takes a couple of weeks to complete the move, but if it's an emergency situation, it can be sped up. Assisted-living apartments include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom.
Hagar said Village on the Park has cottages with a choice of floor plans available for assisted living. They also offer connoisseur services.
At Magnolia Place, residents have choices in the level of care they receive, although it's always based a nurse assessment. Memory care, Hamilton said, is often private pay. Some residents may choose to share a room, and she is careful to find compatible roommates.
Sometimes people wait too long to make a move, Johnson said. It's better to settle in an enjoy the amenities while you have a good quality of life.
"Life isn't over when you move to senior living," Cosgrove said. "We truly want to help you."
Hamilton talks to the caregivers. Placing a loved one in a memory-care facility isn't giving up, she said. Sometimes it's just the right thing to do.
General News on 01/30/2019