8 Things to Know About Senior Living Care Services
Moving to a senior living community offers older adults an inclusive, maintenance-free, independent lifestyle that’s full of opportunities. With in-house services to manage household tasks, daily meals, transportation, social engagements, and more, residents enjoy time to socialize, relax, and pursue the goals that matter most.
While most people are familiar with senior living amenities, understanding the supportive care services available to residents is not always straightforward. In this article, we’ll answer a few common questions residents and families have about these services and planning for future care needs.
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• Senior living communities offer a range of care services to meet the changing needs of residents.
• The availability, cost, and structure of this support depend on the level(s) of care (independent living, assisted living, memory care, etc.) offered in the community.
• Services can be customized, but communities with a continuum of care offer residents and families the most flexibility.
Understanding Senior Living Care Services
One of the key benefits of moving to a senior living community is the availability of on-site care services, which residents can easily access to support an independent lifestyle. As residents age in place and their care needs change, these services help them manage their daily routines.
This support is typically provided by a team of professional caregivers—members of the community’s staff—or by an agency or care team that partners closely with the community.
Residents can receive supportive care services in various senior living settings, but the availability and accessibility of these services vary by community.
• Some independent living communities may partner closely with local care providers and help connect residents to these services if needed.
• Some independent living communities also offer assisted living options at the same location. In these communities, residents can receive assistance from the community’s wellness team of certified caregivers.
• Assisted living and memory care communities offer a broad range of on-site care services that can be customized to support a resident’s health and independence needs.
Understanding the cost and structure of these care services as a prospective resident or family member can be tricky. Let’s take a closer look at how these services work by addressing some common questions.
1. What types of supportive care services can a resident receive in a senior living community?
Supportive care services available to senior living residents focus on managing Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs. Senior living staff can assist residents with daily tasks such as personal care, taking a shower, getting dressed, and using the restroom.
This can also include escort services throughout the building, a helping hand with getting in and out of bed, medication management, or medical attention in the event of illness or an unexpected health emergency. These services are typically delivered through a “care plan” tailored to each resident’s unique needs, and scheduled daily, weekly, or even for just a few minutes at a time.
2. Do all senior living residents require supportive care?
No. Many seniors move to a community and don’t need supportive care, but with time, care needs often change, impacting mobility, strength, and independence. Routine tasks can take more effort and energy, creating increased stress and less time for enjoyable daily habits. Residents and families turn to a community’s on-site care services for support when these changes occur.
3. Are care services included in the monthly rental rate?
The fee structure for senior living care services varies by community. Some communities include the cost of basic care in their monthly rental rate, while others allow residents to pay for these services à la carte, receiving only what they need. Some services are structured as care plans or in “levels of care,” available by service or by care hours.
Independent Living – Most independent living communities do not include supportive care in the monthly rental rate. Residents typically contract with a community’s preferred provider or another home care/home health agency to coordinate care services independently.
Assisted Living – Some communities may include these services in the monthly rental rate, while others may charge a separate fee, or offer a mix of both. Residents and families can inquire about the care service structure during a community tour.
To see a cost breakdown of various care services in your area, check out the CareScout Cost of Care Survey tool.
4. What happens when a resident’s care needs change?
When a resident experiences changes in their daily care needs, a senior living community’s wellness team will partner with the resident and family to address them. The community’s director of resident care or a certified nursing professional will assess the resident’s needs and tailor a support plan. This might include a few minutes of assistance in the morning to get dressed, help with a shower in the evening, daily reminders for taking medication, or even escorts to the dining room for meals. A care plan can be adjusted to include less or more support as needed to help a resident live as independently as possible within the community.
5. What if my loved one needs more care than the community can provide?
If a resident shows signs they need more care than the community can provide, community staff will partner with the family to determine the best next steps. This might include coordinating a private caregiver to support a loved one for extended periods, or moving a loved one to a community with a higher level of care. Residents often move from independent living to assisted living, or assisted living to memory care or skilled nursing care.
6. What if memory loss becomes a concern?
If a resident experiences memory loss that makes it difficult to manage daily routines, community staff can create a support plan to assist with these challenges. Care services, such as medication management, escorts, and reminders can be coordinated to provide consistency and a familiar routine. As memory loss progresses, a resident may require a higher level of care or the support of a memory care community for its enhanced safety, additional staffing, and specialized programming.
Communities that offer multiple levels of care, or a continuum of care, can support residents and their families through this transition.
7. What happens if a resident is ill and needs help from the community’s care team?
When a resident needs assistance, help is only a call away. In most assisted living communities, residents have access to a call-for-aid system that allows them to request assistance in the event of a fall or other immediate need. A member of the community’s care team will respond promptly to assess the resident’s needs and determine next steps.
Residents who are feeling ill can request a wellness check, and the director of resident care or other certified nursing professional will respond to assess their needs. Staff may recommend that the resident remain in their residence until symptoms subside or reach out to their physician for further guidance. For urgent care needs, they may suggest a visit to the nearest clinic or emergency room.
Care services like these can include assessment and monitoring of a resident’s vital signs and functioning and may differ in cost from other ADL-focused services.
8. What is the difference between Type A and Type B assisted living?
In some states, assisted living residences are categorized as Type A or Type B. The differences between these options involve a resident’s mobility, cognitive functioning, and physical ability to respond and evacuate the community in an emergency.
Residents who need assistance from caregiving staff throughout their day, evening, and overnight hours should explore both Type A and Type B options during a community tour to determine the right fit before making a move. Learn more about the differences between Type A and Type B assisted living here.
Care Services and The Benefits of Assisted Living
Older adults and their families can utilize the supportive care services in a senior living setting in the same way they would use other in-home care services, but with a few additional benefits:
• Community staff support families in managing a loved one’s care. The responsibility to coordinate care and ensure consistency in staffing and quality of care does not fall solely on the family.
• Residents build relationships with community staff and often experience lower caregiver turnover.
• Caregivers are trained in the community’s mission, values, and best practices to ensure compassionate, competent resident care.
• In the event of an emergency, a staff member is on-site 24/7 to provide support to residents—and invaluable peace of mind to families.
If the stress of caring for an aging loved one or managing your care needs at home, is becoming too much to manage, consider the benefits of a senior living move. Explore the Cardinal Bay continuum of care and visit any of our independent living, assisted living, or memory care communities in Central Texas or Oklahoma.
Meet with a member of our team today to see how we can support you or a loved one, or follow our blog for more resources on planning for future senior care needs.