Retirement Homes

Types of Retirement Homes

Different retirement facilities are categorized based on their size and the level of assistance services they provide. By definition, a home is one where all residents live in a common building (or buildings, depending on the size of the complex) – while individual living spaces are available, the organization is similar to a dormitory in that there are centralized dining areas and social spaces. The basic categories of retirement homes include:

• Independent Living Homes: These facilities give residents the security of a united community without sacrificing their independence. Most of these homes are larger and more open than traditional models, feature more space for individual residents. Some independent living homes are actually organized as condominiums, apartments, or townhouses as opposed to the more common dormitory model.
• Congregate Living Homes: These homes feature individual living space combined with communal dining areas, lounges, and other social space such as a fitness center or meeting room. Basic health services are typically provided to help residents monitor their well-being, and community services including recreation outings are often arranged by the community director.
• Assisted Living Homes: These homes offer more intensive personal care for residents who need additional assistance with routine tasks such as dressing, personal grooming, or administering regular medications.
• Continuing Care Homes: These homes feature increasing levels of service as residents’ needs increase. The precise level of services available depends on what each individual resident needs, and the home typically arranges for additional care when it is necessary.
• Alzheimer’s Care Homes: These specialized homes are secure communities to suit the demanding needs of Alzheimer’s or other dementia patients. Residents are provided for as their illness progresses, and support services are typically available to help family members cope with the changes.
• Nursing Care Homes: Nursing homes provide continual care for residents with demanding medical needs, including assistance with basic tasks such as eating and bathroom use.

Facility Costs

Different retirement homes have different costs, typically from $20,000 to $200,000 per year. The rates depend on a variety of factors, including the quality of the facility and the amenities it offers (pool, fitness center, etc.), the level of service, and the types of staff members employed. Generally speaking, the greater the level of care provided, the more expensive the facility because more sophisticated equipment and higher trained professionals are required. In some cases, private health insurance or other assistance programs may be available to help defer the costs, but each case is different and should be handled individually.

Investigating Retirement Homes

Many homes organize regular outings.

When investigating which type of home to choose, the most important consideration is to evaluate not only your current needs, but to anticipate your future needs as well. Switching between homes can be costly both financially and emotionally, and it is best to choose a home that can provide years of care without any inconvenience. Other factors to consider include:

• What provisions are available in case of an emergency in an individual’s living space?
• If the home isn’t right for me after all, is there a refund if I choose to leave?
• Are there entrance fees or application fees?
• Is there a wait list for potential residents, and how long is it?

At the same time, interested individuals should also investigate every aspect of the home, from its security features and cleanliness to amenities and the neighborhood to see if it is an appropriate fit for your social, personal, and financial needs.

Coping Emotionally with a Move

Moving into a retirement home can be emotionally devastating as seniors often view the transition as negative and restricting. To make the move easier, consider the following:

• Familiarize yourself with the home before moving in: take an extended tour, speak with residents, or volunteer for different activities.
• Opt for a home in a familiar area, either a favorite city or close to home, to ease the transition and maintain ties with friends, neighbors, and organizations.
• Establish a way to keep in touch with family members, grandchildren, and friends, either through personal visits, e-mails, letters, or regular telephone calls.
• Be sure to position favorite mementos (photographs, figurines, artwork, etc.) prominently in the new home to keep that link with a lifetime of treasured memories.
• Join in community activities regularly and make the effort to make new friends. Everyone in the home has made the same difficult transition, and making new friends who have been through the same experience will ease the difficulty and strengthen new relationships. At the same time, reach out to new residents and help them transition as well.

For More Information

To learn more about different retirement homes and specific communities, ask for recommendations from local senior services or visit RetirementHomes.com or RetireNet.com for updated profiles and background information.

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