When people get further into their retirement years, they often begin to yearn for change. Maybe they begin to feel isolated living alone and wish they had more friends nearby. Or perhaps they would rather free themselves from the demands of homeownership. Whatever the case may be, a senior living option like independent or assisted living may seem like the best next step – and for millions of older Americans, they are. Independent living can provide a fun and autonomous lifestyle without the burdens of home maintenance; assisted living offers the same but with added care and support for important daily tasks.
Unfortunately, many people delay or even avoid altogether a move to senior living. They worry that after uprooting their lives to make the initial move, their needs may change, and they would have to repeat the process all over again. Luckily, the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) model solves this problem and more.
What is a CCRC?
As the name suggests, a continuing care retirement community offers ongoing support for retired adults. While this is true of many retirement communities, CCRCs must have specific offerings to earn the name. Essentially, CCRC classification means that the community offers multiple levels of service or care so that residents can stay in the same location even as the lifestyle or service options they require change over time.
What do CCRCs offer?
The right CCRC should offer levels of lifestyle or care that cover the spectrum of what a retiree may need. Below is a list of these levels and what they provide.
Independent Living
For many older adults, this is the first level of senior living they may explore. Independent living offers a lifestyle not dissimilar to that which they enjoyed in their own home. However, it has many benefits such as provided meals, home repairs and maintenance, amenities like gyms and technology, and a community of friends and neighbors within walking distance.
Assisted Living
This level of care offers many of the same advantages as independent living, but with one important difference: professional care and support. These most commonly apply to activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs consist of tasks like eating, bathing, grooming, dressing, or managing medication.
Memory Care
Millions of Americans are afflicted with varying forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Memory care provides a safe and comfortable lifestyle that includes care and supervision, and commonly offers therapeutic interactions with aides that can help control the many symptoms of dementia
Skilled Nursing
This level of care can be temporary or long term depending on the individual. For instance, if someone in assisted living broke their ankle, they could move temporarily into skilled nursing to heal before returning to their apartment. If someone became affected by a more long-term condition such as a chronic disease, they could stay in skilled nursing indefinitely to receive a level of care and supervision that would help them maintain the best quality of life.
For many, CCRCs are the best option for senior living because they can truly become their home, regardless of changing needs. If you would like to learn more about a non-profit Ontario CCRC with all of these care levels and more, contact Inland Christian Home. Call us today at (909) 983-0084 or reach us online.