Weighing the Senior Living Care Options

A Lifestyle to Match Your Goals

We all know that aging is part of life, but that doesn’t mean we have to think of ourselves as “old”. In fact, today’s seniors are finding new and exciting ways to pursue healthy aging and create the lifestyle that matches their goals. Part of that is having so many senior living care options.

Here’s a look at what’s out there and how you can decide.

Defining the Senior Living Care Options

Before you begin the journey of deciding what is best for you or an older loved one, it’s good to know what each level of care offers. Having at least a basic understanding in advance will help your search go more smoothly and give you the confidence you are making the right decision.

These are some of the most common senior living care options away from home:

• Independent Living is a lifestyle choice for older adults who require little daily assistance but seek a vibrant social community free of the hassles of chores and home upkeep.
• Assisted Living provides housing, personalized care and support with activities of daily living to help you remain independent and enjoy an engaging, purposeful life.
• Memory Care is specifically designed to care to nurture and support those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with 24-hour supervision, structured activities and a secure, calming environment that’s easy to navigate.
• Skilled Nursing is for older adults who require 24-hour supervised care with a licensed physician or nurse, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapists onsite

At-Home Options for Senior Living Care

Aging in place might be a possibility depending upon your situation.

• Home Health Care can be provided on an hourly, as needed, or 24/7 live-in basis. These services help you live independently at home and typically include personal care, household chores, cooking, transportation, occupational, physical and/or speech therapy.
• Adult Day Care offers a safe environment and typically provides care during normal business hours, five days a week with services that may include meals and snacks, health monitoring, medication assistance, fitness and educational programs and social activities.

Other Factors To Consider

Not only is it important to determine the level of care needed, it’s also wise to give some early thought to what kind of lifestyle you are seeking. If you are looking at senior living care options away from home, make a list of what your ideal choice would look like.

For example, living in a smaller senior living community might be more appealing, simply because it’s easier to make friends and feel part of a family. Finding a community that can quickly connect you to a full continuum of care is paramount. Feeling comfortable and at home in an intimate atmosphere might mean a great deal to you, as opposed to moving to a larger community.

Everyone’s situation is unique and there are multiple senior living care options from which to choose.

Ask Those Who Know Firsthand

No one knows senior living better than those who’ve had firsthand experience; they can give you deeper insight than you would even get on a tour. And no one knows your circumstances and hopes for the future better than those closest to you.

So check with family members, friends, neighbors, your physician and trusted advisors such as your attorney, financial planner or spiritual leader. Even checking review websites can give you additional perspective.

At The Herrick House, We Are Here for You

If the time has come for you to seek a greater degree of safety, personal care assistance, and social interaction for yourself or a loved one, we invite you to explore how we can help.

Assisted living at The Herrick House offers you all the privacy and independence of living in your own home, while receiving the care and camaraderie you need to maintain a healthy quality of life. In addition, our Spectrum memory care program is a specially designed, all-inclusive, memory care community that focuses on care for those who suffer from cognitive impairments, providing a lifestyle that promotes compassion, dignity, and respect in a safe and secure environment.

We are located in a private wooded setting on the upper campus of Beverly Hospital. Our intimate, close-knit community makes it easy to make friends and feel at home. As you begin your exploration of senior living care options, we hope you’ll include The Herrick House.

We would love to welcome you. Download your free copy of Just The Facts: A Guide to Assisted Living. Contact us to learn more about The Herrick House or to schedule your tour.