Independent living communities are for seniors
who can for the most part, take care of themselves. An independent
living community provides senior friendly housing and services.
Independent communities are limited to and
designed for seniors with some common areas may included
TV or family rooms, large meeting room and livable design
features live elevators, ramps, at entrance pickup area
and wider halls. Sometimes there is an outside garden with
seating areas.
Other features vary but could include on
site dining, shuttles, commercial services on site, nurse
or on call medical services.
Independent living properties vary greatly
from urban high rise apartments or condos, to rural personal
care homes with individual smaller buildings.
Assisted
Living Facilities
Assisted
living facilities only residential facility
that offers meals, assistance with personal care, housekeeping,
and monitoring of resident's health and safety. Nursing
and medical care not included. A seniors only apartment
that is usually rented rather than purchased. Long term
care is offered, but sometimes short term visits.
Assisted living centers are geared toward
elderly adults who have trouble living at home independently,
but don’t require constant support or care. When Mom,
Dad, or a spouse is too frail to cook or clean for himself,
drive to the store, or perform other daily tasks, and you
are unable to care for them at home, you could consider
this type of living facility. There are many benefits of
assisted living including personal support services that
help with bathing, dressing and toileting, help with daily
living tasks including housekeeping and laundry, food and
nourishment with regular meals, safety concerns including
social and physical activities and of coarse, health and
medical services including transportation.
Assisted Living Apartments
Assisted Living apartments communities sometimes
are under federal housing guidelines (HUD) and will only
accept low income seniors, but some are privately owned.
Assisted Living apartments are age qualified for independent
active seniors 55 and older. Assisted Living apts are designed
for active seniors and do not offer meal service, housekeeping
or medical assistance. There is a limited number of senior
apartments and may be a waiting lists several months long.
Assisted Living apartment complexes are
many times located in urban city centers in high rise apartment
building. Lately, many senior apartments are in low rise
apartment complexes in the suburbs, near shopping centers
and malls, pubic or mass transit.
Continuing
Care Retirement Community
- CCRCs are so named because they address
the entire continuum of care with healthy seniors moving
in independent living apartments, but having the security
of knowing they can "age in place" thanks to assisted
living and skilled nursing services on site. The number
of CCRCs nationally has risen sharply over the past 25 years
from 274 in the early 1980s to 2,240 in 2005, according
to the American Association of Homes and Services for the
Aging.
Usually are very expensive however many
guarantee lifetime shelter and care with long term contracts
that detail the housing and care obligations of the CCRC
as well as its costs. This is becoming more popular.
( retirement homes, retirement communities,
assisted housing, long term care and elder care facilities)
AssistedLivingGuide.com is
for the elder needing long term care facilities and for those
who, relatives or friends, will be searching, evaluating and
providing for their loved one. We explore the many personal
care facilities for the right level and amount of care needed.
Senior Housing Cost
According to American Association of Homes
and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org)
The average daily cost for a private room
in a nursing home is $213, or $77,745 annually.
The average daily cost for a semi-private
room in a nursing home is $189, or $68,985 annually.
The average monthly cost of living in an
assisted living facility is $2,969, or $35,628 annually.
The average monthly cost of living in a
not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community is $2,672,
or $32,064 annually.
The average monthly rate for assisted living
facilities that charge additional fees for Alzheimer’s
and dementia care is $4,270, or $51,240 annually.
To move into a community, individuals must
also pay an entry fee ranging from $60,000 to $120,000.
The average hourly rate for a certified
home health aide is $32.37.
The average hourly rate for a uncertified
home health aide is $19.00.
The national average daily rate for adult
day centers is $61. (2007 MetLife Market Survey of Adult
Day Services & Home Care Costs)
The national average hourly rate for homemakers/companions
is $18. (2007 MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services
& Home Care Costs)
