Helpful Information

Moving to a senior living community can be a good decision for people who want to maintain an engaged, independent lifestyle. Families who are currently making important decisions about a senior loved one’s future care may have decided that senior living is a good option.

However, there are still some important decisions to be made, including choosing the right type of senior care.

Choosing Well: Determining What Type of Care a Senior Needs

Whether you’re still exploring the idea of senior living or you’re ready to choose a senior community, these guidelines can help you make an informed decision.

First, Know Your Options

‘Senior living’ is a general term that covers a variety of communities. The options range from independent retirement living for active seniors looking for socialization and freedom from home maintenance to assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care.

Senior Living Options

Here’s what each type of senior living entails.

1. Independent/Retirement Living: The services offered are mostly to provide a maintenance-free lifestyle: home repairs, lawn care, snow removal, and trash pick-up. These communities sometimes offer dining programs, housekeeping, and laundry. A wide range of life enrichment activities, programs, outings, and events make it easier for residents to continue to live an engaged, productive life.
2. Assisted Living: These offer a step up in services for seniors who need help with medication, bathing, dressing, and personal care. They provide restaurant-style dining and a selection of social activities, physical fitness programs, and other life-enrichment activities.
3. Skilled Nursing: This is a higher level of health care, offering round-the-clock access to nurses. There’s physician oversight, disease management, skilled nursing services, and several types of therapies available.
4. Short-Term Rehab: This is around-the-clock medical care and therapeutic services designed to help a person recover from an illness, surgery, or an accident. The desired result is to get the patient back up to a level where they will no longer need such focused care and therapy
5. Memory Care: These programs offer 24/7 care for seniors who have Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Benefits include specially trained staff, dementia-specific life enrichment programs, and medication management. Memory care programs also offer personal care services, dedicated dining programs, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation. Another big advantage is a secure environment designed to keep seniors with memory loss safe.
6. Continuing Care Retirement Communities: From Retirement Living, Independent Living, Assisted Living to Memory Care to Skilled Nursing, or even options without care such as independent living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) provide multiple care levels on a single campus. Residents who call these communities home have peace of mind knowing they likely won’t have to move somewhere else if they need to transition to a new level of care down the road.

Click here for a comprehensive comparison chart of our services.

Second, Determine Which Type of Community Suits You

Whether it’s you or your senior loved one who’s moving to senior living, it’s important to match needs and desires to the right level of care and service.

Here’s a quick set of guidelines for the levels of care:

• Independent Living: is for seniors who can manage mostly on their own but don’t want the hassle of keeping up a home. They’re mobile and they don’t suffer from major health issues. They find the social activities and the carefree lifestyle of independent living communities to be attractive.
• Assisted Living: is for seniors who need a little more help in their day. On their own, they may forget to take their medications or struggle to get to doctor’s appointments. They don’t require complex medical care, however, just assistance with personal needs like bathing and dressing.
• Skilled Nursing Care: is for individuals who require round-the-clock supervision by a skilled professional. They may require help with an IV, rely upon medical equipment that requires someone there to help or have wounds that necessitate special attention.
• Memory Care: is for individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. They need supervision and care at all hours of the day, plus a secure environment that reduces dangerous wandering.

Third, Visit in Person and Ask Lots of Questions

Seeing a senior community in person provides invaluable insight. You and your senior loved one should make appointments at all of the senior living communities you’re considering. Take a tour, get to know the people working and living there, and ask lots of questions.

Your Options at Five Star Senior Living

One of the benefits of Loretto is the wide range of services and multiple levels of care available. Seniors who can manage living on their own but who prefer a lifestyle where they don’t have to worry about maintaining a home can opt for independent living.

Seniors who need more care can choose assisted living. We also have Memory Care for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

If you’d like help exploring your options for senior living, please contact us today.

To learn about the differences between Medicare and Medicaid, visit https://www.medicaremadeclear.com/basics/medicare-vs-medicaid.

To contact our admissions teams about our continuum of care and the services we offer, go to Contact Us.

Today’s older adults want choice and independence. Some prefer to remain in their homes with services brought to them; others choose to give up the responsibility of home ownership and seek housing options that offer social interaction, care and support. A continuum of care is designed to meet the evolving needs of aging adults and allows individuals to have the peace of mind knowing that if health care needs change in the future, Loretto can provide different levels of care to meet those needs.

“Continuum of care” is a phrase that is getting more and more common in the senior living industry. Most of the companies that claim to offer a continuum of care cover most of the bases when it comes to senior living and health care, but Loretto takes it even further. With Loretto, our continuum of care provides everything from Retirement Living, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, Short-Term Rehab, Memory Care and In-Home Care, which allows our residents and participants to receive all the care they need under one healthcare system.

When a senior living organization says that it offers a continuum of care, it means there are varying levels of medical care, and, to a certain degree, varying levels of independence within its communities. The levels of care usually follow a pretty typical progression. The first level of care is independent living, in which the residents require few – if any – medical accommodations. Living areas are often separated from the rest of the community to give residents more independence, as the name would suggest.

The next level of care is assisted living, in which the residents have more medical needs and often require assistance with certain daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, etc. Living accommodations in assisted living are typically more centralized when compared with independent living, as nurses and other staff need to interact with the residents daily.

Oftentimes, communities will also have memory support, also called memory support. Residents in memory support typically have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia that lead to things like memory loss, confusion and an inability to take care of themselves.

The next level is long-term skilled nursing. At this level, most residents have limited mobility and require around-the-clock medical supervision.

In addition, Loretto offers one of the most expansive short-term rehabilitation programs in Central New York for those who require temporary medical care from licensed medical professionals to return to their prior level of function following an injury, illness or surgery.

There is one final component that is unique to Loretto is our partnership with PACE CNY, which falls under the Loretto umbrella of care by offering home health care. PACE CNY offers a variety of services such as private duty nursing, medication management and help with daily activities, in addition to services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, and more.

The main benefit of having all these levels of care in one place is that should a resident need to transition from one level to another, that person only has to move to a different part of the campus/property, rather than a new community altogether.

At Loretto, all of these levels of care are available. Contact us today for more information. 

The world of senior living can feel like uncharted territory — unfamiliar, with its own unique language and rules. Seniors in fair or good health may be uncertain about the distinction between assisted living and independent living. Both options can foster independence, ease caregiver stress and help seniors live longer, healthier lives. You can have your own private apartment or condo in each living arrangement, but there are also important differences that can help guide your decision. Here’s an overview of the basics.

Daily Amenities and Services

Assisted living communities are structured around providing seniors with support when and where they need it. Most seniors live in an apartment in close proximity to other community members. There is often help available 24/7 with the simple push of a button, and seniors can get help with basic life tasks, including:

• Shopping and meal preparation
• Cleaning
• Remembering medications
• Bathing and grooming
• Making and keeping doctor’s appointments

Assisted living exists on a continuum. Some communities offer more extensive care than others. Many provide a range of services that change with a senior’s needs and health.

Independent living does not provide medical care or nursing support. The focus is instead on convenience and an active life. For instance, a senior might be able to order meals or eat at an on-campus cafe, but will be unlikely to get help making nutritional meals or remembering medication. There are some important exceptions to this rule. Many independent living communities, including Arbor communities, contract with in-home care companies to help seniors get the support they need while remaining as independent as possible.

Need help determing the right level of senior care for you or your loved one? Contact Kate Conan, RN, Senior Outreach Coordinator for Loretto. 

Medical and Supportive Care

Assisted living is a good alternative for people who are no longer able to live alone, but do not need intensive nursing care. Independent living preserves a senior’s independence and does not provide access to medical or nursing care.

Independent living can provide some peace of mind to people who no longer feel comfortable living alone. People with medical conditions that do not undermine the basic activities of daily living may thrive in this environment. But when people are no longer able to tend to their basic needs, make good decisions on their own or function without the help of loved ones, assisted living offers medical support.

Access to and Contact with Staff

In an independent living community, seniors might not have regular contact with the staff, unless they sign up for a meal or other service. In these communities, a senior’s involvement with the staff is largely dependent on the senior’s preferences. Someone who eats every meal in the community center might frequently see the staff, but someone who prefers a quieter existence might forget the community even has staff.

In assisted living, staff are there to monitor and check in on residents. Although they don’t diagnose medical conditions, they will stay in touch with seniors to ensure they’re thriving. If a senior appears to need more help, staff may drop by more frequently or talk to the senior’s family. One of the primary benefits of assisted living is that it offers families peace of mind that someone is looking out for their loved one.

Price

Independent senior living communities are about lifestyle preference — not a form of senior care. This means that they’re typically more affordable, but unlikely to be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or insurance. Assisted living, by contrast, greatly expands upon the level of care a senior can expect at home. Because of these more extensive services, assisted living tends to be more costly than independent living. Assisted living is also more likely to be covered by long-term-care insurance, employee benefits programs and Medicaid. You may need a doctor’s prescription or other medical orders to get coverage, so check the details of your insurance or long-term care plan.

Family Involvement

As seniors age, it’s typical for family members to become more involved in care decisions. There’s no substitute for the involvement of someone who loves and knows you, but caregiver burnout and depression are very real. Independent living can offer some peace of mind to caregivers because these communities ensure that a senior is neither isolated nor afraid. However, families may have to continue to provide support to seniors with health issues.

Assisted living, by contrast, relieves family members of any further caregiving responsibilities. The community and its staff are there to anticipate and meet the needs of seniors even as those needs change. This means that caregivers don’t have to worry about seniors having unmet needs. They may find that this improves their relationship with the senior and reduces their level of stress.

Continuum of Care

Seniors living in assisted living communities need some degree of support. This may mean something as simple as regular check-ins with a staff member, or more extensive support such as help with bathing and grooming.

In many cases, seniors who choose assisted living communities have degenerative health conditions like Parkinson’s, dementia or cancer. They may eventually need more extensive care, and so many assisted living communities offer options to transition to nursing or dementia care. In some cases, a senior may be able to continue living in the same place even as his or her needs change.

Some independent living communities are associated with assisted living and similar options. But many seniors in independent living communities will lead long and healthy lives without the need for additional care. And so it’s less common for independent living providers to offer an extensive continuum of care.

Which Is Right for Me?

You don’t have to be in perfect health to choose independent living. Likewise, you don’t need to be severely ill to decide that assisted living is the better option. And so some seniors struggle with the right choice, especially when it feels like a close call. Some questions to ask yourself include:

• • Would my health be at risk if I had to spend a few days alone in my home? If the answer is yes, then you may need assisted living.
  • Am I lonely, but otherwise healthy? If yes, then the increased sense of community of independent living could be the best option.
  • Am I relying more on my children or spouse to run errands or address regular needs? If so, then assisted living could bridge this gap in your needs.
  • Is my current caregiving arrangement working for all involved? Many elders opt to rely on loved ones, but caregiving can be exhausting work that tips the balance of power in a relationship. Do your caregivers seem stressed, annoyed or overwhelmed? Has there been an increase in family conflict? If so, then assisted living could help.
  • Do I have a serious medical condition? Assisted living can help if you have a serious diagnosis, particularly if that diagnosis is likely to get worse.
  • Has my doctor expressed concern about my intention to continue to live alone? If so, then consider assisted living.
  • How do I feel alone in my home? If you are anxious, then this might mean you need assisted living. If you feel confident in your ability to care for yourself, but bored or lonely, then independent living could be the superior option.
  • Have I let any daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning or bathing, fall by the wayside? Do I worry that these basic activities could be dangerous, due to a fall or other concern? If so, then assisted living can offer some help and peace of mind.
  • Do I have a chronic or progressive medical condition? Seniors diagnosed with conditions that are likely to get worse over time, such as dementia or terminal cancer, may gain immense peace of mind from moving to an independent living community that is connected to an assisted living community.
  • Is paying for in-home care a significant financial burden? Many seniors opt to lean on the support of in-home caregivers. As their needs change and become more intense, however, this can present a significant financial challenge. Moreover, in-home aides can’t provide the sort of entertainment and enrichment that seniors get in assisted living communities.

Age and health problems shouldn’t have to mean a decline in quality of life. No matter what your perfect retirement looks like or what barriers to achieving it you face, Arbor can help. We offer a wide range of senior living options tailored to meet the evolving and diverse needs of seniors from all walks of life. Give us a call or stop by and enjoy one of our many special events. We can’t wait to help you write the next chapter of your life.

Yes, Loretto offers Memory Care at several locations spread throughout our continuum of care. Here we have three memory care values, Innovation, Partnership and Caring. This right here is the foundation of how we continue to enhance how we provide care and implement the latest technology to ensure our memory care residents receive the best.

We are the only organization in CNY committed to breaking new ground in memory care through research, providing a continuum of care for all individuals and an unwavering dedication to solving the underlying challenges contributing to Alzheimer’s and dementia as a social health crisis.

To learn more about our Memory Care Program, Click Here. 

PACE CNY is Loretto’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly in cooperation with St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, for residents of Onondaga County since 1997. It is one of only 73 PACE providers in the nation.

Loretto accepts Medicaid, Medicare, private pay and commercial insurance.