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Residence
Options
A wide variety of residence options are available
for seniors in California and throughout the
continental United States. At retirement age,
many people decide to simplify and downscale
their households and relocate from large homes
and apartments. Other seniors need specialized
care. Retirement residence and non medical care
facilities are available to meet all levels
of a senior's living and care needs. Types of
facilities and average costs follow:
Retirement
Communities for Independent Seniors
($1200 to $3500 or more monthly)
Retirement
communities, sometimes called independent living
facilities, are a sensible solution for independent
seniors with no medical problems who feel the
need for companionship, social activities and
the desire to live independently among retirees
with similar backgrounds and interests. Most
retirement communities provide accommodations
for about 75 to 250 seniors.
Many
of these residences offer a secured environment
and a wide range of services, including meals,
scheduled medical appointment transportation,
shopping transportation, field trips, tours
and housekeeping services. Some facilities also
offer assisted living services for seniors who
need help with everyday living activities.
Assisted
Living Facilities
($1400 to $6000 or more monthly)
Assisted
living facilities are designed for seniors who
don't need 24 hour nursing care, but who do
need help with activities of daily living such
as bathing, grooming, dressing, incontinence
care and supervisory care for their safety.
Residents may live in their own private apartments
which may be equipped with some kitchen features.
Other services available include assistance
with medications, housekeeping, laundry and
three meals a day. Some facilities may provide
limited nursing supervision.
Many
of these communities offer social activities
and transportation for shopping, medical appointments
and personal service needs.
Most
facilities provide housing for about 50 to 300
or more residents. Some assisted living residences
have a secured Alzheimer's "special care
unit" for residents with cognitive impairment.
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Residential
Board and Care Homes
($1400 to $6100 or more monthly)
Residential care homes for elders are often
referred to as board and care homes or group
homes. Most are small residences, housing from
two to six or more seniors, where residents
live together under one roof and receive care
and meals from live-in caregivers. The residences
are licensed and regulated by a state's Department
of Social Services or similar agency. These
homes are not medical facilities, however they
do provide custodial care to residents who need
assistance. In most states they provide 24-hour
supervision for residents, three meals a day
plus snacks, special diets for diabetics, assistance
with medications, limited social activities,
laundry and housekeeping services and help with
bathing, grooming and dressing. Some facilities
provide assistance for elders with bladder and
bowel incontinence, oxygen use and close supervision
for seniors in wheel chairs or who ambulate
with canes or walkers.
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Alzheimer's Residences
($2000 to $8000 or more monthly)
There is a growing number of senior residences
available that specialize in providing care
for people suffering Alzheimer's and related
symptoms of dementia. These facilities usually
employ staff with either training or work experience
in caring for seniors impaired with chronic
memory loss. Twenty-four hour supervision is
provided, along with security systems to safeguard
the residents. California and some other states
require that an Alzheimer's facility obtain
a "dementia waiver" from the licensing
agency before accepting individuals diagnosed
by a physician with Alzheimer's or other dementia.
Some assisted living and skilled nursing facilities
have a "special care unit" which provides
care for seniors with Alzheimer's and other
dementia.
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Skilled
Nursing Facilities
($4000 to $9000 or more monthly)
Skilled
nursing facilities, commonly called nursing
homes or convalescent hospitals, offer services
to patients who require 24-hour nursing care.
Patients may be confined to bed all or most
of each day. These facilities usually employ
nurses, occupational, speech and physical therapists,
dietitians and social service specialists to
assist in patient rehabilitation. Following
therapy, patients either return to their homes,
or transfer to a long term care unit in a skilled
nursing facility or reside in a small residential
care residence or assisted living facility.
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Multi
Level Care Communities
($3000 to $9000 or more monthly)
These
facilities, offering opportunities to "age
in place" for seniors, typically provide
an apartment or a small free standing home in
a community for independent seniors who are
in good health. These retirees often travel,
entertain, pursue common interests with neighbors
and become part of a community in a campus like
setting. For married couples, when either spouse
requires some assistance due to illness, cognitive
impairment or infirmity, they move into an assisted
care or skilled nursing unit located on the
grounds. The other spouse can stay put in the
couple's home and maintain a close relationship
with their loved one. Many multilevel communities
include facilities for independent living, assisted
living (including Alzheimer's care) and 24-hour-a-day
nursing care.
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