The Main Differences Between Senior Living Options 

The Main Differences Between Senior Living Options 

Senior living communities offer their residents the highest levels of freedom and independence as they want, need, or are able to have, and depending on the type of senior living facility you choose to move into, different options provide different services.

With that being said, here are the main differences between senior living options and how they differ.

Independent Living 

First up, independent living communities are essentially virtually identical, in the vast majority of ways, to still residing in your own home, without the stress and financial worry of running a household.

This means that your money, both taken back out of any property investment you may have had or have right now and also your savings, pension and any other incomings can all be directed to engaging in hobbies you adore, activities both alone and with your new friends and daily trips or weekend stays. 

Memory Care

Memory care can be, in itself, a self-contained community for those living with any one of the various memory-based illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, or can be situated inside a large assisted living community instead. 

Staff and medical professionals working inside the safe and positive environment of a memory care building are specially trained to ensure that each and every memory care resident is afforded the best possible level of care.

As with the other types of senior living, there is always a keen focus on independence and each resident within any esteemed memory care building will be encouraged to be as independent as possible. 

Assisted Living Facilities 

Assisted living facilities are usually the first form of senior living community that springs to mind, with the most striking benefit being related to the ability of the staff and facilities to change and adapt to suit the evolving needs of the residents. 

For example, if a resident has been living happily and independently within such a community, but in later life, unfortunately, develop a memory-related illness, often there will be a separate memory care building onsite, which will greatly reduce any risk of stress during the transition. 

Care Homes 

Care homes, more traditionally referred to as nursing homes, are generally for elderly people who need help and assistance with different daily activities.

For some, this is as simple as help with showering, bathing and dressing and once they are up and ready for the day, they are left to their own devices to do exactly what they want, when and where they want to do it.

For others, they may require more hands-on and complex care, such as help with medical treatments and managing prescription medicines, or bathroom and hygiene tasks. 

Palliative Care 

Finally, the one form of senior living that absolutely nobody would ever volunteer themselves to be admitted to is that of palliative care.

Palliative care centers are for people, usually older adults, to be looked after on an almost constant basis and afforded dignity, empathy and company in their final days.