Do you know how to search for senior living communities in 2020?
The best senior living communities for 2020 may look differently for you and I, than those in the past. Depending on your age, senior living communities have changed a lot since the 1950s. Senior living centers and communities look differently because of the difference in age ranges of seniors. Seniors live longer than ever before, therefore, senior age spans are as long as 40 years. Although the devastation of job loss in 2020 caused many Americans to need government assistance to keep their homes, most seniors did not have that agony.
The Search for the best senior living community
Searching for a new home can be nerve wrecking. But, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the stress. First, determine what type of community works best fits your needs. Basically, there are three main types of senior living facilities. These facilities range from total dependence to total independence. Total dependence facilities usually, nursing homes, require medical workers to be present at all times. Assisted living centers sit in the middle, between nursing homes and independent living communities. Likewise, total independence does not require any medical support.
Pros and Cons of Senior Living Communities
Independent living communities provide residents for seniors starting at age 55. These senior citizens can live in a private home. In addition, the private home can be in the form of an apartment, condo or duplex. Normally, these homes are top of the line communities. The seniors living here are completely able to function independently. Usually they have also lived a very prestigious lifestyle.
Consequently, these prestigious communities did not exist until the Baby Boomers began to retire. The most modern of these communities offers many extras like continuing education courses and programs. In addition, they provide social activities with age level peers, exercise and fitness facilities and gourmet dining. Nonetheless, these communities offer other goodies like home maintenance, laundry services and numerous trips. The fee for this lifestyle ranges from $3500 to $7000 per month. The pros of these remarkable living communities are outstanding. However, the cons offer a more realistic view to those who cannot afford such a lavish lifestyle.
Comparing low income retirement communities
Both low-income retirement communities and independent living communities offer independent living housing. However, low-income retirement communities do not provide or offer the lush living conditions of those in independent living communities. Most low-income communities limit their extras to exterior grounds maintenance.
In addition, low-income retirement communities often subsidize apartment rent by providing rental support that is far below the usual market value. Also, the subsidized support comes through the U. S. Department of Housing and Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The third type of senior citizen housing is nursing homes, sometimes called senior care facilities. These senior citizen living quarters provide the greatest level of dependent care. Seniors citizens who live in nursing homes require the greatest level of care and are completely dependent on care workers.
Senior’s dependence in a nursing home includes medical assistance, rehabilitation therapy and three meals per day. Nonetheless, there are some senior living care options that assist families in caring for their elderly loved one. Senior citizen care in a nursing home usually costs between $2500 to $4000 per month. Some of the costs of this care are paid by Medicare or other medical insurance.
Senior Care Facilities and Independence
Some seniors who live in senior care facilities still get a certain amount of independence through their family. In these cases, family members can check their seniors out of the facility for the day. These care facilities allow the seniors to enjoy special days with friends and family members.
Senior housing costs ranges and companies
Senior citizen housing ranges from state to state. As of October 2020, assisted living costs ranged from $33,630. in Oregon to $80,400. in the District of Columbia.
While the housing cost range, the housing companies do not have as much of a range. There are three main companies in the U.S. that provide senior citizen housing. These three companies offer independent, assisted living and memory care. The big three companies are Brookdale, Sunrise and Atria. Although Holiday is not one of the top three companies, they offer the most independent living communities.
Why are These Senior Living Companies So Appealing?
Each company does a few things differently to make themselves appeal to the potential resident. Although Erickson Living is not in the top three, they make themselves desirable to the potential resident. Erickson Living is headquartered in Maryland. Erickson is a main provider of independent living communities. They also provide in-home care and on-site medical centers. They have communities in 11 states. Consequently, most of their facilities are located along the east coast.
With locations across the U.S., Sunrise is listed as the second largest assisted living provider. Sunrise offers pet therapy to their senior citizens. They use their pet friendly offer to aggressively seek out potential residents. They have gone as far as providing a full-time resident dog and cat to ensure the presence of a pet at all times.
Ranking at the top of the line, Brookdale is the number one provider of assisted living facilities. Nonetheless, they put a lot of energy into all of their programs, including the memory care program. A few of their prized memory care options include the provision of daily engagement therapy, comfort and caring staff, and apartment-like homes. Brookdale even took the challenge put out by Sunrise by adding pet-friendly facilities to their programs.
choosing The Best Living Facility For you
So now that you have reviewed some of the best facilities, what do you do next? Well first determine if you want to move or stay in the state where you currently reside. Then create a comparison list of three or four of the best facilities in that area. Be sure to include the monthly rent as part of your review.
I suggest three or four so that you don’t become overwhelmed with choices. Next, list three or four of the things that you must have to be happy. After that, compare which community offers your top three desires at a price you can afford. Lastly, make a list of the things that you dislike. Finally, go visit the facilities so that you can compare your information to what you see.
Conclusion
We began by comparing the different looks of senior living communities of 2020 to those of years ago. Then we discussed the different types of communities. We included some pros and cons to both the independent and dependent types of communities. Next, we discussed the ranges in prices and ranges in prices from state to state.
After that, we discussed some of the strategies the companies use to appeal to potential residents. We also state that two of the facilities offer pet therapy as a part of their program. After that, we speak about the top four-five facilities. Finally, we suggest that you make your comparison using three or four companies to reduce the anxiety and feeling of being overwhelmed when going through the process of comparing companies.
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