Independent living

Independent Living offers seniors (55 years of age and up) a stress-free environment, with no medical component. Focusing on an active lifestyle instead of medical services, independent living communities generally have a dedicated person to development a monthly calendar filled with hobbies and interests. This lifestyle/activity director will work with you upon move-in to learn more about your current activity, previous endeavors, and future interests. They will coordinate group activities with other individuals that share the same hobbies. From book clubs, social events, excursions and/or yoga classes; Independent Living communities cater to the active resident. 

Other notable amenities that might be included in the Independent Living are:

• Dining Services – some Independent Livings offer 3 meals, 2 meals, or a al-a-carte program. 
• Housekeeping Services – Light housekeeping is offered at most Independent Livings. These are normally weekly or bi-weekly services that are schedule for the same day and time. When choosing an Independent Living, laundry service is normally not provided.
• Maintenance Services – Each Independent has their own maintenance request order process. These services will normally attend to each request in the order that they arise; however, safety or structural concerns might rise above the normal request. It is important on move-in to inquire about this process. 
• Transportation Services – Many Independent Living communities have a community bus for group excursions. These excursions are normally scheduled and are overseen by the lifestyle/activity director. 
• Utilities – It is very common for Independent Living communities to include the utilities in their monthly rent. These would include water, electricity, trash, telephone and internet services. 
• Safety and Security – Each Independent Living community provides different levels of safety and security. 

Senior Living Now, LLC has taken the time to research each community's amenities to ensure they meet your criteria. When you reach out to one of our advisors, we walk through your criteria (including your budget) to ensure we have narrowed the option to those that fit. From there, it is up to you when you want to proceed. 

Assisted Living offers all-inclusive living for the base apartment, with a very structured assistance component. Each community must offer an activity program, 3 meals a day, housekeeping, transportation services, safety/security, and utilities as part of their all-inclusive living and base rent. However, the structured assistance component is what separates Independent Living from Assisted Living. 

Each Assisted Living will conduct their own assessment to determine the needs of a resident. These assessments are normally scheduled prior to move-in, every 3 to 6 months, and on a significant change of condition. These assessments will normally fall with a spectrum of charges that might be called points or levels of care. These levels or points are then tied to a monthly assistance charge above the base rent. To find out specifically what your charge will be, the Assisted Living will do a free assessment prior to the signing of an agreement. This will give you an idea of cost, base rent, plus the assistance charge. Our Senior Living Now advisors have each community’s charges. Some notable Assisted Living assisted needs are:

• Medication Management – overseen by a Health/Wellness Director through the orders received directly from the resident’s physician. The major components of medication management are, but not limited to:

                          o Ordering of medication

                          o Administering the medication

                          o Monitoring the resident’s reactions

                          o Reconciling the medications

• Other Assisted Living services fall on a spectrum of independent, needs supervision, needs assistance, needs total help. The more a resident needs supervision to total help will normally increase the cost of this category. These other services are, but not limited to:

                          o Ambulation

                          o Bathing

                          o Dressing

                          o Eating

                          o Grooming

                          o Toileting

                          o Transferring

Senior Living Now, LLC has taken the time to research each community’s amenities to ensure they meet your criteria. When you reach out to one of our advisors, we walk through your criteria (including your budget) to ensure we have narrowed the option to those that fit. From there, it is up to you when you want to proceed. 

Memory Care offers all-inclusive living for the base apartment, plus a very structured assistance, safety, and security component for additional fees. Each community must offer an activity program, 3 meals a day, housekeeping, transportation services, safety/security, and utilities as part of their all-inclusive living and base rent. The structured assistance, safety and security components are what separates Memory Care from Assisted Living. 

Daily Assistance: Each Memory Care will conduct their own assessment to determine the needs of a resident. These assessments are normally scheduled prior to move-in, every 3 to 6 months, and on a significant change of condition. These assessments will normally fall with a spectrum of charges that might be called points or levels of care. These levels or points are then tied to a monthly assistance charge above the base rent. To find out specifically what your assistance charge will be, the Memory Care will do a free assessment prior to the signing of an agreement. This will give you an idea of cost, base rent, plus the assistance charge. Our Senior Living Now advisors have each community’s charges. Some notable Assisted Living medical needs are:

• Memory Care medical services fall on a spectrum of independent, needs supervision, needs assistance, and needs total help. The more a resident needs supervision to total help will normally increase the cost of this category. Some of these services on the spectrum are, but not limited to:

                          o Ambulation

                          o Bathing

                          o Dressing

                          o Eating

                          o Grooming

                          o Toileting

                          o Transferring

Safety and Security: Memory Care communities are designed and configured to provide the best living for a resident with dementia. Many take pride in delivering daily assistance of basic needs while establishing a safe and secure environment. Some of these improved safe and security measures are clutter free bathrooms, improved lighting, eliminating trip hazards, no access to stoves or microwaves, and more. 

However, the biggest advantage for a Memory Care resident is the staffing ratio coupled with the secure community. Memory Care communities normally provide higher staffing ratios to engage the resident with memory stations or self-directed activities. The staff normally provide the resident with stimulating activities that invite exploration, promote memories, and give opportunities for pause. Furthermore, many communities provide memory boxes to engage residents prior work, hobbies, and interests. Memory Care communities provide all these benefits in a locked/safe environment. When deciding and touring a Memory Care community, it is important to observe the staff interactions with the current residents and how visitors enter and leave the community.

Senior Living Now, LLC has taken the time to research each community’s amenities to ensure they meet your criteria. When you reach out to one of our advisors, we walk through your criteria (including your budget) to ensure we have narrowed the option to those that fit. From there, it is up to you when you want to proceed.