Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Retirement and Active Adult Living |
ELDER CARE HOUSING OPTIONS
Many Americans are moving into their retirement years while also tending to the care of a parent or elderly relative. As a caregiver it is important to understand what options are available for your loved one especially if you are the primary decision-maker for them. There are a number of lifestyle choices depending on the person’s physical condition and the level of care required to live comfortably. In the Metroplex, the housing options run the gamut from assisted living facilities to Alzheimer care facilities to resort-style neighborhoods. These facilities offer accommodations that provide a dignified standard of living while professionals oversee the residents’ well-being.
— Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
Continuing Care Retirement Communities allow seniors to “age in place,” with flexible accommodations that are designed to meet their health and housing needs as these needs change over time. Residents entering Continuing Care Retirement Communities sign a long-term contract that provides for housing, services and nursing care, usually all in one location, enabling seniors to remain in a familiar setting as they grow older.
Many seniors enter into a Continuing Care Retirement Communities’ contract while they are healthy and active, knowing they will be able to stay in the same community and receive nursing care should this become necessary. When a senior who is in good health signs a Continuing Care Retirement Community contract, he or she may expect to pay lower fees.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities provide services and facilities that allow access to independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Seniors who are independent may live in a single-family home, apartment or condominium within the Continuing Care retirement complex. If they begin to need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and eating, they may be transferred to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility on the same site. Seniors who live in this setting can be assured their long-term care needs will be met and will not have to relocate.
Any elder (single or partnered) can be a good candidate for a Continuing Care Retirement Community. These include people who are independent, healthy and able to care for themselves; need some assistance with daily living; require skilled nursing care; want the security of living in a seniors-only community; no longer want (or are unable) to maintain a house; prefer to live among their peers; and who have enough money to pay the Continuing Care Retirement Community fees.
Seniors who live in Continuing Care Retirement Communities can select a service plan to suit their needs, abilities and preferences. Typical assisted living services include recreational, social and educational activities; transportation, emergency help, housekeeping, meals, assistance with daily living and personal assistance.
— Assisted Living Facilities
These housing options combine a level of independent living with some assistance for personal care. They provide care to residents who cannot live alone, but do not need 24-hour nursing care. Assisted living communities offer residents the privacy of their own bedroom, often with a small kitchen. Most offer meals in a community dining room, snacks, laundry services, housekeeping and assistance with personal needs such as bathing, dressing or medication supervision. These facilities are not designed for people who need serious medical care, but there are some facilities for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss.
When looking for an assisted living facility, experts say it’s important to find a quality one. Make an appointment to visit the managing director or director of the assisted living facility. At that time, be sure the RN is present at the meeting and be sure to obtain a disclosure statement that will tell you all the things the community can and will do for you. Ask about the facility’s levels of care provided and costs at each level. Ask if you can speak with other residents and ask questions of them to determine if they’re comfortable and well treated. Consider eating a meal in the facility, as food plays a big part in the residents’ lives.
Assisted living residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident in an Assisted Living Facility is a widowed or single woman in her 80s. Residents may suffer from memory disorders, or simply need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Assisted living is appropriate for anyone who can no longer manage to live on their own but doesn’t require medical care.
Once a decision about a community has been made, review everything and ask questions if you do not understand. Ensure everything is spelled out and clear. If you don’t feel good about the place, it’s probably not the best option. Pay close attention to what is going on and how you feel.
— Residential Care Homes (Personal Care Homes)
These group living facilities, usually single-family homes, are designed to meet the needs of people who cannot live independently, but do not need nursing homes. These homes provide some type of assistance with daily living activities including eating, walking and bathing. Some homes provide skilled nursing, rehabilitative services or specialized care for illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.
— Skilled Nursing Facilities
A Skilled Nursing Facility is staffed by registered nurses who help provide 24-hour care to people who can no longer care for themselves due to physical, emotional or mental conditions. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Most nursing homes have two basic types of services: skilled medical care and custodial care.
Many Americans are moving into their retirement years while also tending to the care of a parent or elderly relative. As a caregiver it is important to understand what options are available for your loved one especially if you are the primary decision-maker for them. There are a number of lifestyle choices depending on the person’s physical condition and the level of care required to live comfortably. In the Metroplex, the housing options run the gamut from assisted living facilities to Alzheimer care facilities to resort-style neighborhoods. These facilities offer accommodations that provide a dignified standard of living while professionals oversee the residents’ well-being.
— Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
Continuing Care Retirement Communities allow seniors to “age in place,” with flexible accommodations that are designed to meet their health and housing needs as these needs change over time. Residents entering Continuing Care Retirement Communities sign a long-term contract that provides for housing, services and nursing care, usually all in one location, enabling seniors to remain in a familiar setting as they grow older.
Many seniors enter into a Continuing Care Retirement Communities’ contract while they are healthy and active, knowing they will be able to stay in the same community and receive nursing care should this become necessary. When a senior who is in good health signs a Continuing Care Retirement Community contract, he or she may expect to pay lower fees.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities provide services and facilities that allow access to independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Seniors who are independent may live in a single-family home, apartment or condominium within the Continuing Care retirement complex. If they begin to need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and eating, they may be transferred to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility on the same site. Seniors who live in this setting can be assured their long-term care needs will be met and will not have to relocate.
Any elder (single or partnered) can be a good candidate for a Continuing Care Retirement Community. These include people who are independent, healthy and able to care for themselves; need some assistance with daily living; require skilled nursing care; want the security of living in a seniors-only community; no longer want (or are unable) to maintain a house; prefer to live among their peers; and who have enough money to pay the Continuing Care Retirement Community fees.
Seniors who live in Continuing Care Retirement Communities can select a service plan to suit their needs, abilities and preferences. Typical assisted living services include recreational, social and educational activities; transportation, emergency help, housekeeping, meals, assistance with daily living and personal assistance.
— Assisted Living Facilities
These housing options combine a level of independent living with some assistance for personal care. They provide care to residents who cannot live alone, but do not need 24-hour nursing care. Assisted living communities offer residents the privacy of their own bedroom, often with a small kitchen. Most offer meals in a community dining room, snacks, laundry services, housekeeping and assistance with personal needs such as bathing, dressing or medication supervision. These facilities are not designed for people who need serious medical care, but there are some facilities for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss.
When looking for an assisted living facility, experts say it’s important to find a quality one. Make an appointment to visit the managing director or director of the assisted living facility. At that time, be sure the RN is present at the meeting and be sure to obtain a disclosure statement that will tell you all the things the community can and will do for you. Ask about the facility’s levels of care provided and costs at each level. Ask if you can speak with other residents and ask questions of them to determine if they’re comfortable and well treated. Consider eating a meal in the facility, as food plays a big part in the residents’ lives.
Assisted living residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident in an Assisted Living Facility is a widowed or single woman in her 80s. Residents may suffer from memory disorders, or simply need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Assisted living is appropriate for anyone who can no longer manage to live on their own but doesn’t require medical care.
Once a decision about a community has been made, review everything and ask questions if you do not understand. Ensure everything is spelled out and clear. If you don’t feel good about the place, it’s probably not the best option. Pay close attention to what is going on and how you feel.
— Residential Care Homes (Personal Care Homes)
These group living facilities, usually single-family homes, are designed to meet the needs of people who cannot live independently, but do not need nursing homes. These homes provide some type of assistance with daily living activities including eating, walking and bathing. Some homes provide skilled nursing, rehabilitative services or specialized care for illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.
— Skilled Nursing Facilities
A Skilled Nursing Facility is staffed by registered nurses who help provide 24-hour care to people who can no longer care for themselves due to physical, emotional or mental conditions. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Most nursing homes have two basic types of services: skilled medical care and custodial care.
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