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 When it comes to choosing the best Senior Care Housing option for you or for your aging loved one, you want to be sure that you make the right choice. To achieve this, you need to know the different senior care housing options available in your community.
It can get overwhelming at first, but having a better understanding of all the available senior housing options, will help you decide in choosing the best senior care facility that fits you or your aging loved one's lifestyle.
Here are the most popular Senior Care Housing options:
Assisted Living
Other common terms: Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE)
This is suited for seniors who want to live independently but need help with day-to-day activities. However, they do not require 24-hour supervision since they do not have any serious medical conditions.
These senior communities typically offer meal service, housekeeping, social activities, medication assistance, transportation for medical appointments and other pleasure trips for seniors. Additional services like laundry, assistance with eating, bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing-up and other personal care, which seniors need, may also be available.
In general, assisted living communities are not required to have nurses and/or doctors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, although they usually have medical staff on site or on call to be able to help seniors with their daily needs.
Nursing Homes or Skilled Nursing Facilities
Commonly referred to as SNFs. These senior care facilities provide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week nursing care for seniors with serious medical conditions.
Services from a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse and/or certified nursing aide are  available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to administer medical treatments and care prescribed to seniors by a doctor.
Majority of nursing homes offer short-term and long-term care depending on the degree of care the senior residents need.
Alzheimer's Care
Other common terms: Assisted Living, Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE)
Also known as memory care or dementia facility. This type of senior care facility specializes in the treatment and care of people with Alzheimer's and Dementia as they have special needs.
The setting is similar to Assisted Living communities. It also provides personal services like help with eating, bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing-up, etc. Social services and programs tailored to provide senior patients with as much mental and memory stimulation as possible are also available.
These facilities have 24-hour support, higher level of security to protect wanderers, and structured programs to meet the needs of people with dementia.
To learn more about Alzheimer's please click here.
Board and Care
Other common terms: Adult Residential Facility (ARF)
Commonly referred to as residential care or foster homes. This senior care housing option for the elderly provide 24-hour, non-medical assistance to perform day-to-day activities such as eating, toileting, bathing, grooming, walking and laundry. Nursing services and additional services may also be available.
Typically, this kind of senior care facility offers a home-like setting and provides private or shared rooms, private or shared bathrooms, meal service and an open door policy for the senior residents' friends and family.
Adult Day Care
Also referred to as an adult day center, which is another form of respite care. This is the ideal option for families who can still take care of their aging loved one at home, but are unable to during the daytime (i.e., due to career, etc.).
Seniors who participate in this program, are provided companionship and support throughout the day and returns home at night.
An array of health programs and social activities for seniors are offered for stimulation and socialization. Majority of the programs include meal and transportation service while additional services like counseling, dancing, exercise, education, evening care, health screening, personal care, therapies, social activities and a lot more may also be available.
Generally, adult day cares are open up to eight hours a day, five times a week (Monday through Friday), although some may be open on Saturdays for a few hours.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Typically referred to as CCRCs or life care retirement communities. This is perfect for seniors who want to age in the same place as it offers flexible accommodations that are intended to meet the needs and wants of seniors which change overtime. Thus, not having to worry about moving.
These senior communities offer a long-term continuing care contract, usually for a resident's lifetime. They provide appropriate level of senior care support for independent living, assisted living or nursing care all in one facility. Although expensive, this senior housing option is becoming one of the most popular choices today because it offers a wide range of programs, activities and amenities available to support  the healthy lifestyle of seniors.
Independent Living
Also referred to as Retirement Communities. This senior housing option, is ideal for healthy and active seniors who want to live independently as they want flexibility with their day-to-day activities. Seniors who choose this care home option typically do not need medical assistance.
This lifestyle is suited for seniors who are interested to participate in educational, cultural and other social activities for entertainment. These communities usually offer a wide range of optional personal services to seniors like: cleaning, laundry, transportation, group meals, fitness programs, etc.
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About the Author: Catharine D. Allado- Writes articles for www.ladolceliving.com - the most trusted and comprehensive online directory of care homes in California, Florida and the rest of the United States.
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