Choosing to move out of your home and into a senior living community is a major step in your journey, and it comes with a great deal of considerations and adjustments for you and your loved ones. But this next stage can also be incredibly exciting – if you select the ideal community to suit your situation.
If you’ve never researched senior living options in Texas or Oklahoma before, distinguishing between independent living vs. assisted living vs. memory care will probably be a real mystery. Although alike in some ways, they’re each intended to fulfill seniors’ varied and changing needs.
Below, we’ll reveal how these communities differ, so that you can begin to determine which option could be perfect for you.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are designed for seniors who are generally healthy, active, and capable of caring for themselves and their homes without much help. A main perk: Rather than squandering their precious retirement years on exhausting upkeep and chores, residents can devote them to traveling and enjoying their favorite hobbies and interests, as well as the company of cherished family and friends.
In an independent living community, the setup relieves the many hassles of home ownership. Staff members handle those physically demanding tasks that can be too much for seniors to take on themselves – cleaning the house, doing the laundry, maintaining the yard, landscaping, etc. Some communities prepare and serve meals for residents, and of course, wash and tidy up afterward.
Many seniors turn to independent living to cut costs, discovering that it can be more affordable than living on their own. Financial burdens that might exceed your budget include paying for monthly bills, repairs, remodeling, home, and lawn care services, and much more.
Enjoying the services and support of an independent living senior community doesn’t mean sacrificing your freedom and privacy. The best independent living communities in Texas and Oklahoma offer an array of apartments and/or cottages in different sizes and configurations. You’ll relax in a space that you can call your own, a safe home environment, situated in a location you love.
Just beyond your doorway, you’ll also access the broad range of activities and events that are scheduled and organized in these communities. They may feature planned outings, parties, game nights, happy hours, classes in fitness, art, gardening, cooking, and lots more, plus amenities like outdoor spaces, a fitness center, a hair salon, a barbershop, and/or an ice cream parlor. They’re a wonderful way to have fun, stay healthy and in shape, and socialize with your neighbors – all important things to do as we age.
Assisted Living
Seniors who require regular help with daily living activities should consider the maintenance-free lifestyle of an assisted living community. This option is a good fit, offering long-term care and support, in addition to housing and other services, such as meals and medical attention.
But how do you know it’s time to make a move into assisted living? Signs can be that you’re struggling to…
- Get in and out of bed.
- Handle hygiene tasks, like using the restroom, bathing, dressing, and grooming,
- Shop for, prepare and eat nutritious meals.
- Manage medications and their timing well, and safely.
- Clean your home and complete chores and maintenance.
- Drive or coordinate transportation for medical appointments, errands, shopping, faith services, etc.
- Process bills and administer your personal finances.
The best-assisted living communities in Texas and Oklahoma are staffed by trained senior care experts, around the clock. They guarantee that you have access to as much or as little support as you need for all of those tasks noted above.
It’s an appealing option for seniors and their families, and often medically necessary. A senior who lives alone is always at risk of falling or suffering an injury that leads to serious health issues – especially when nobody’s home to help. You can ease your worries, thanks to built-in safety nets, including regular checks on residents and a system featuring emergency alert buttons with a 24/7 response.
In addition to those comforts, you’ll enjoy the same amenities and activities of the independent living communities. The list might span book club, bingo, casino nights, community dances, movie nights, Bible study, off-site trips and tours, and wellness programs, such as yoga classes, and beyond.
Spend each day however you choose, getting to know your neighbors, making friends, and continuing to learn and grow. And whenever you please, retreat to your own personal living space, usually a private suite or apartment.
Memory Care
A specialized type of senior living community, memory care is designed for individuals experiencing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other forms of memory loss. By choosing a memory care community, seniors encountering these challenges benefit from the professional, skilled support and compassionate, 24/7 supervision that they need to stay safe and healthy at all times.
Residents receive accessible, navigable housing and personal assistance with daily living activities. Plus, the best memory care communities in Texas and Oklahoma focus on positively contributing to the resident’s mental strength and emotional state. Trained staff members provide a familiar environment and routine, often integrating stimulating, brain health fitness activities meant to help with memory loss, such as music therapy and games.
Seniors facing memory loss can get confused and disoriented easily, sometimes even wandering off and becoming lost. That’s a scary situation for families whose loved ones live alone! Memory care communities, on the other hand, give peace of mind and keep seniors safe and secure. Memory care is usually provided in a separate wing or an inclusive neighborhood with wander protection, featuring locked doors and increased security, with staff members constantly monitoring the exits.
Additionally, memory care residents can socialize every day with friendly neighbors and staff, encouraging them to feel valued and to achieve the many benefits of frequent socialization. Because memory care is often affiliated with an assisted living community, residents can take advantage of the same list of services, amenities, and recreational opportunities. They can join in on supervised outings, crafts, and clubs, and enjoy celebrations, parties, activities, and lots more community occasions.
Which Senior Living Option Should You Pick?
Choosing between independent living, assisted living and memory care comes down to the individual’s needs since each senior care option addresses them differently. Begin by thinking through your capabilities, limitations, and preferences carefully. Next, match up your requirements with what the finest senior living communities in your area have to offer.
Keep in mind that although one particular option might seem suitable now, your situation could change. As an example, an independent senior who sometimes struggles with organizing and remembering to take pills might benefit from assisted living before long. Minor forgetfulness today could become a need for memory care tomorrow.
Note that some residential senior facilities in Texas and Oklahoma provide a continuum of care. That means you can move once, and then stay living in the same place while receiving ongoing support, among familiar friends and staff members. Simply plan ahead, while anticipating the future, and you’re sure to find the ideal community for you!