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Category: Understanding Senior Living

55+ Communities vs Independent Living: How do they Differ?

 May 19, 2021

You hear it all the time: Sixty is the new forty. Seventy is the new fifty. With people living longer, yesterday’s definitions of “old” no longer apply.

Today’s older adults are redefining what is possible later in life. More and more, stories appear in the news about people in their seventies and eighties—and even nineties—running road races, doing gymnastics, performing stand-up comedy, even going into the recording studio.

Perhaps that’s why, just as “old” no longer describes today’s aging adults, “retirement community” no longer describes the incredible variety of living options available to people in their later years. The range is remarkable. Some choose 55-plus communities that attract empty-nesters. Many prefer independent living communities that provide activities and dining. And others opt for assisted living communities, where residents need help with daily tasks such as getting dressed in addition to having access to nursing care. No matter what level of services and amenities offered, however, what these senior living communities have in common is that they are not about slowing down but ramping up—and living life to its fullest.

55+ Communities vs. Independent Living

For most healthy adults considering moving to a senior living community for the first time, the two most common options are 55-plus and independent living communities. Although there’s no hard-and-fast definition of either type, there are key differences in how they tend to be described or categorized. Understanding those differences and what is more typical of one over the other can help you evaluate which would better serve your needs.

55+ Communities vs. Independent Living Comparison Table

 

55+ Communities

Independent Living

What services are provided?

55+ complexes offer the convenience of providing maintenance of the building, grounds and apartment.

 

Independent living communities offer a stress-free lifestyle where the hassles of life—like home upkeep, cooking and cleaning—are taken care of so you can spend more time enjoying all the activities and amenities your community offers.

What amenities are provided?

There may be a clubhouse with planned social activities in a 55+ community. The availability and quality of amenities can vary widely by complex.

Convenient access to on-site shared dining spaces, pools, libraries, game rooms and a wide variety of community activities ensures that there’s never a shortage of ways to spend your days in independent living.
Own or rent? There are many 55+ communities where residents own their houses or condominiums, while others may offer rental properties. Bear in mind that 55-plus communities featuring home ownership are likely governed by a homeowners association (HOA) and include an HOA fee. Also factor into your decision-making the lack of flexibility when selling a house in a 55+ community. Often the choice is limited to approved realtors and the target population of purchasers is limited to the 55+ age range. Independent living residents generally rent their houses or apartments, although the “rent” includes much more than a roof over one’s head. Ownership is more typical of 55+ communities, while renting is more typical of independent living, but neither community type is exclusively one or the other.

How much does it cost?

The cost to rent a senior apartment varies. There are, however, affordable options like low-income apartments that cap rent and utilities at about 30 percent of income. Market rate apartments with costs at or slightly below the cost of local all-age apartments and luxury senior apartments are other available options.

Communities vary widely in terms of cost, which can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more a month. A number of factors determine what you pay, like the type of community and location. Download our FREE Guide to the Cost of Senior Living eBook to learn more and get the answers you need.

How do I find a community near me?

Your best bet is to search online for 55+ communities or contact your local housing authority and ask about senior apartment options in your area.

The best place to start is to search online for “independent living communities” or use Five Star’s easy Find a Community search tool to discover select communities in your area.

4 Important Questions to Ask When Deciding Between a 55+ Community and Independent Living

Are you a DIYer or are you ready to give up the to-do list?

People living in 55-plus communities can purchase housekeeping, lawn care and other services just as they could for their prior home. But that means managing various vendors and costs can add up quickly. Independent living residents enjoy the convenience of living within a community where services and amenities such as housekeeping, dining and transportation are included in the monthly fee. In some instances, independent living residents have the option of assistance with daily tasks and support services if needed, which is important for residents who have chronic or degenerative conditions.

Do you like an active social life?

While both options present opportunities for social gatherings, independent living communities typically have program directors who fill the calendar with game nights, happy hours and plenty of other ways to make new friends and have fun. With 55-plus communities, the level of social activity may depend on the particular character of the neighborhood, especially if the community lacks an in-house programming component. Another important difference is that independent living communities typically include dining services led by highly trained chefs, while some 55-plus communities may offer communal kitchen and dining spaces but no food services.

Another amenity offered by independent living is complimentary transportation within a radius. This is a popular feature for individuals who are experiencing diminished vision or simply prefer to be chauffeured.

Would you like to worry less about the future?

No one likes to admit it, but eventually our bodies wear down and need some tender loving care. Some independent living communities include access to onsite physical and occupational therapy, assistive services and nursing care, all to help residents maintain their highest level of independence for as long as possible. Availability of these services may vary widely in 55-plus communities.

How do you define “independence?”

For some, independence means doing everything or most things yourself, as is more likely in a 55-plus community. For others, independence may include finally being free of household chores, maintenance, grocery shopping and other tasks so you can do more of what you love or have been meaning to get to—such as traveling the world, visiting the grandkids or pursuing a hobby or passion that for years has been filed under “Someday.” If the latter, an independent living community may be for you.

Independent living communities: a greater value?

We’re biased, of course, but based on all these criteria, the scales seem to tip in favor of independent living communities as offering greater value—and a smarter long-term strategy—when considering options for a “retirement” community. If you would like to be freed of home maintenance, errands and obligations, and instead spend your time choosing from an array of activities and outings with a lively social circle of friends—what some might call real independence—take a look at independent living communities. There’s nothing retiring about them!

See the difference

Make your declaration of independence. Find out if there’s a Five Star Senior Living community near you. We’ll arrange a tour so you can see for yourself just how much you have to look forward to.

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Are Senior Living Communities Safe?

 March 9, 2021

Safety is undoubtedly a primary concern when choosing a senior living community. Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, peace of mind knowing that you or your loved one is protected and well-cared for is essential. Senior living communities provide a comprehensive sense of security that goes beyond just physical safety. This includes access to essential needs like food and medical care, a comfortable and familiar living space, and the company of others. These factors combined contribute to a secure and supportive environment, often at a level that’s difficult to replicate at home for an individual senior.

Table of Contents

Promoting Senior Living Safety by Minimizing Risk

The cornerstone of safety for senior living residents is minimizing risk, and this extends beyond more obvious risk of physical harm or illness. At Five Star Senior Living, we recognize that safety takes many forms and our senior living communities are designed to address safety in every area of our residents’ lives. Here are just a few ways that we prioritize safety in our senior living communities:

Minimizing Physical Risks

Living at home, seniors are at high risk for injury from falls or other home accidents. For seniors experiencing difficulty with balance or mobility, it can be not only overwhelming to figure out how to transform a home into a fully accessible place, but it can be very expensive. Things like ramps, stair lifts, grab bars, altered countertop heights, or other accessibility modifications add up quickly.

Senior living communities are expertly designed to minimize physical risks for residents. Every Five Star Senior Living community looks at all aspects of safety, from building security down to the transition slips between different room floorings to prevent falls. There are also handrails in most hallways for added support and emergency pull cords in many bathrooms, which can be used in the event of a fall or lock-in. For additional reassurance, many of our assisted living and memory care residents also receive personal pendants to summon team members right away in an emergency.

Support and Companionship

Two of the most significant advantages of a senior living community are the support and companionship you get the moment you walk in. Chronic loneliness can lead to various health issues, which is why senior living communities create opportunities to make new connections among residents through regular activities and programs, communal dining, and shared common areas. By enjoying opportunities for social engagement and companionship, our residents are able to feel an increased sense of wellbeing and safety, regularly seeing familiar faces and being able to lean on others for emotional support.

Regular Maintenance

Home maintenance can pose a major safety risk to seniors who live at home alone and have a strong DIY spirit. Risky activities like climbing a ladder to change a lightbulb or lying down to fix a leaking sink are eliminated when living in a senior living community. With dedicated team members and apartments designed with safety and mobility accommodations in mind, help is just a phone call away and residents can focus on enjoying retirement instead of continuously worrying about household chores. Built-in maintenance and access to maintenance on-call also helps provide reassurance for residents and their families in the event of an emergency.

Proactively Addressing Senior Health Risks

When it comes to senior health and safety, it’s important to remember there’s more to health than managing or preventing physical disease. The best senior living communities help minimize risk and promote an overall sense of wellbeing by focusing on each area of health – social, mental, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual.

At Five Star Senior Living, our exclusive Lifestyle360 programming addresses each of these pillars of senior health through things like senior exercise classes and other fitness activities, social gatherings, creative outlets like painting or music, spiritual practice and exploration, opportunities for learning a new language or skill, and so much more.

Creating A Safe Senior Living Community for Residents and Staff

At Five Star Senior Living, we recognize that prioritizing safety in our senior living communities extends beyond the wellbeing of our residents to include our residents, visitors, and staff, and we have always made this our number one priority. Fostering an environment of physical and emotional safety for everyone through proper staff training and necessary precautions allows us to provide the best care to our residents and to uphold our reputation for providing safe senior living communities our residents can truly call home.

Security Measures at Senior Living Communities

Your home should be a place where you feel comfortable and safe, which is why many senior living communities have a team member to greet you right at the entrance. At Five Star Senior Living, all our communities feature a concierge-style service to greet guests, handle mail and packages, and authorize access for visitors.

Other senior living safety measures to look for include things like:

  • The presence of functioning fire alarms, a sprinkler system, and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Security personnel on the premises
  • Properly locked doors to prevent unknown visitors from entering buildings
  • Clearly communicated emergency preparedness and building exit protocols in the event of a fire, natural disaster, or other emergency
  • For memory care facilities, presence of knowledgeable staff and access control systems to prevent residents from wandering to unfamiliar areas of the building or accidentally exiting the building unattended
  • Clear rules for visitors and security protocols for checking in/verifying visitors’ identities
  • Procedures for containing and managing outbreaks of contagious disease
  • Cleanliness and sanitation in common areas and dining areas
  • Well-lit facilities and outdoor areas
  • Surveillance equipment to monitor for safety

Five Star Senior Living – A Safe Place to Live

There’s never been a better time to move into a Five Star Senior Living community, where safety and security are always a priority. Find a community near you and enjoy the peace of mind that being a Five Star Senior Living resident can bring today!

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How to Evaluate Senior Living Communities

 February 1, 2021

If you or a family elder are searching for a senior living community, you might be wondering how to make an informed choice. It can be easy to let attractive interiors play a role in your decision. While a clean, well-cared-for community is essential, other factors are even more important while evaluating senior living.

Quality of support services, team member experience, and a dedication to resident happiness and safety are just a few. Let’s take a more in-depth look at how to assess senior living communities.

6 Tips to Objectively Evaluate Senior Living Communities

  1. Start your search online.
    Most senior living communities have both a website and a presence on social media channels. You can start online to get a basic understanding of what levels of care they offer, as well as their services and amenities. The photos and posts on social media channels, especially Facebook, can also provide a glimpse into the daily life of a community. Read the online reviews to get a feel for the community. Analyze the negative reviews as well as the positive ones. Was there a response? Did the response demonstrate an open, collaborative mindset?
  2. Ask friends and professional advisors for referrals.
    Word of mouth is a great way to add (or subtract) a senior living community from your potential list. Ask those you know and trust if they have been through this search for a loved one. People who have done this understand how important this decision is and are generally willing to share their experiences. Do you have friends who have lived in the community? Do you have friends or colleagues who have loved ones who have lived there?Don’t forget to ask your professional advisors. Your physicians, clergy, legal and financial advisors, realtors, and other trusted resources that are part of your circle of influence are often a wealth of knowledge for you. At Five Star, we suggest that you ask these individuals, “If it was your Mom, would you choose that community?”
  3. Make phone calls to narrow the search
    Once you have a preliminary list of senior living communities to evaluate, create a list of questions to ask when you call. Block out some uninterrupted time to contact each community. Make sure to take detailed notes during your phone calls. You may think you’ll be able to remember what you talked about, but speaking with multiple communities can make that tough to do. Pay attention not only to the information that you gather. Observe the community representative in you and your story. Did they listen with interest? Did they ask you questions to determine your needs and wantsCommon Questions About Senior Living is a good article to review when you are developing your list of questions. From costs to pets, it contains helpful information.
  4. Review state survey results for communities
    Each state has different regulations for senior living communities. The licensed service lines including Assisted Living, Memory Care and Healthcare (skilled and rehab) will be surveyed by the state regularly to determine if they are complying with state regulations. Most states publish their survey results online. This makes it easy for older adults and their families to review them. For those states that don’t publish results online, ask to see a copy during your visit. For communities that have skilled nursing and rehab, and take Medicare and/or Medicaid – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes a star rating that can be found at www.cms.gov
  5. Schedule an in-person or virtual tour
    A tour, whether in person or virtual is an important component of your selection process. Often, at Five Star, we find that families want to make multiple visits. When you tour, pay close attention to resident and team member interactions, how clean and tidy the community looks, and whether residents appear engaged. Does the environment seem positive and friendly? Does it look and feel like a place your family member could call home? Did team members greet you, were you introduced to associates and residents?
  6. Weigh the pros and cons
    Finally, sit down and carefully review your notes. Think about what you liked and didn’t like, as well as how well each community met your needs and your wants Some communities will be easier than others to eliminate. If you are able, it’s typically a good idea to visit any senior living community that is a serious contender more than once. Another option, if available, is to take advantage of a community’s respite program. Through this program, a potential resident can enjoy a short stay and experience the community first hand. This gives both the prospective resident and the family to make a more comprehensive evaluation.

Transitioning to a Senior Living Community

At Five Star Senior Living, we intend to be the educator and to help you make wise senior living choices. We are here to be your Trusted Resource.

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Wellness Check-up Schedule for Seniors

 March 6, 2020

When our children are young, we can find dozens of resources suggesting the best vaccination schedule. Those early years seem to be filled with countless trips to the pediatrician.

But as we age—or if you’re caring for an aging loved one—it may be more difficult to know exactly when to have certain check-ups, tests, or vaccines.

Five Star Senior Living put together this handy Wellness Check Up Schedule for seniors based on information provided by Medicare, the CDC, and other authoritative resources.

Wellness Visits After 40

Doctors recommend a wellness visit every two years for seniors over the age of 40. During this visit, the doctor will review your personal and family medical history and conduct a basic check-up, which may include:

  • Height, weight, and blood pressure measurements
  • Vision and hearing tests
  • Assessment of your overall health

At this time, you should discuss other necessary medical care, screenings, or preventative health measures.

Preventative Care and Screening Schedule

There are some health screenings both men and women should have, and others that are gender specific.

  • Men over 35 and women over 50 should have their cholesterol checked every five years.
  • For women a doctor may recommend a PAP test every five years and a mammogram every one to two years, depending on a woman’s risk factors and family history.
  • Similarly, men over 50 should have a prostate cancer screening as often as their primary care physician recommends.

Other Important Health Screenings

Depending on risk factors and family history, physicians may recommend a number of additional screenings for older adults.  These might include:

  • Colon cancer screening
  • Hepatitis C test (for individuals born between 1945 and 1965)
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
  • Bone density scan (for women over the age of 65)

Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Seniors

Vaccines are another important health tool. Here are a few the experts say are important:

  • Every 10 years, men and women should receive a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine.
  • Flu shots are recommended annually for seniors and other at-risk individuals.
  • Seniors over the age of 60 should receive a one-time Shingles vaccine
  • Adults over the age of 65 likely need a pneumococcal vaccine at least once in their life.

Individuals who are immune suppressed or have allergies should speak to their physician before receiving any vaccinations.

Don’t Forget Your Free Annual Wellness Visit

Seniors on Medicare are entitled to an initial “Welcome to Medicare” visit. Your primary care physician will spend time getting to know you, your medical background, and family history through a Medicare-approved questionnaire.

Seniors are also entitled to one free wellness visit a year with no co-pay or deductible through Medicare Part B. Although adults of all ages should visit their doctor at least every two years for a wellness visit, this Medicare-approved annual visit is a good opportunity for seniors on Medicare to ensure their health is on track.

Five Star Makes It Easy

Seniors in a Five Star Senior Living community can enjoy convenient transportation to their physicians, as well as benefit from on-site rehabilitation and wellness services. Contact the community nearest to you to learn more!

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Decoding Senior Living Industry Jargon

When older adults and their families first begin to explore senior housing options, one challenge they encounter is navigating the terminology. The senior care industry, like the health care industry, is rife with clinical terms, acronyms, and unfamiliar language. For those new to senior living, it can be tough to decode. 

To help make your search a little easier, we explain some terminology you may encounter when visiting a senior-living community.

Understanding Senior Living Terminology

When you first contact a senior-living community, you may wonder what type of care your family elder requires. Here’s a quick overview of the three most common types of care:

  • Independent living: Residents in these communities are typically interested in maintenance-free living with fewer responsibilities. This allows retirees to travel, spend time with their grandchildren, volunteer, or participate in life-enrichment activities and events held on campus. The focus of an independent living community is more about socialization than personal care or medical needs.
  • Assisted living: Older adults in an assisted living community usually require a helping hand with some of their daily activities. Having a caregiver nearby to assist with dressing for the day, trips to the bathroom, or a housekeeping task allows residents to remain in their apartment or suite. Residents in an assisted living community enjoy three nutritious meals each day, a wide range of activities and wellness programs, and informal opportunities to socialize.
  • Memory care: When an older adult is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, a memory care community is often an ideal solution. These programs are designed to promote quality of life, safety, and peace of mind. Every detail from meals to activities is designed for the unique needs of an adult with dementia.

A few terms you might encounter in relation to your senior loved one’s care include:

  • Ambulatory or nonambulatory: These terms describe a resident’s ability to walk with or without assistance. It’s vital for seniors and their families to be frank about how well the older adult can get around because this information is used to determine their level of care. The amount of assistance required impacts both staffing requirements and the monthly resident fee.
  • Activities of daily living (ADL): This is another phrase you will encounter often in an assisted living or memory care community. There are six basic ADLs: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, continence care, and walking/transferring. Community staff complete an assessment before a potential resident moves in to determine how many ADLs they need help with each day.
  • Medication management: One of the most utilized services in assisted living and memory care communities is medication management. These services vary by community, but typically include medication reminders or administration.

One additional area of confusion for older adults and their families is how to finance senior living. From benefits for veterans to long-term care insurance, there is a lot to sort through. 

That’s why we created the “Five Star Senior Living Funding Guide.” You can download a free copy today to explore your financing options.

The 6 Health Benefits of Moving to a Senior Living Community

<!–[CDATA[Health care professionals who work with seniors have long suspected loneliness plays a role in aging. Recent research shows they were right. Isolation has been identified as a serious health risk for our seniors. It contributes to a variety of health problems ranging from diabetes to high blood pressure, cardiac disease, depression and obesity.

 

Seniors who make a move to an independent living or assisted living community have greater opportunities for staying mentally, emotionally and physically connected as they age compared to adults who choose to stay in their private home.

The 6 Benefits of Senior Living

A few of the many benefits adults enjoy when they move to a senior living community include:

1. Good Nutrition

Planning menus and grocery shopping can become more of a burden with age. Senior living communities have in-house chefs who prepare healthy, nutritious meals three times a day.

Related: Learn more about Five Star’s Signature Dining

Residents also have the advantage of having friends to dine with. It helps make mealtime a social event to look forward to each day.

2. Companionship

Being surrounded by like-minded older adults to share the events of the day can have a tremendous impact on senior’s mental and emotional well-being. The informal conversations and gatherings that happen every day give senior living residents an opportunity to build their circle of friends and feel less alone.

3. Life Enrichment Programs

Activities that take place in senior living communities all day every day are designed to engage the body, mind and spirit.

For instance, Five Star Senior Living’s Lifestyle360 helps our residents live healthier, engaged lives. They have the opportunity to participate in activities that range from book clubs to billiards to arts and crafts.

4. Wellness Opportunities

As we learn more and more about how to age successfully, wellness programs continue to be an important piece of what attracts older adults to senior housing communities. Today’s wellness programs are much more comprehensive than the blood pressure clinics of the past. Residents now have the opportunity to participate in Chair Yoga, attend a strength training class or talk with a wellness professional about living their best life.

5. Safer Facilities

Older adults who move to a senior living community are often coming from older homes. They frequently trade this outdated environment for one built with the safety of seniors in mind.

A few of the common features include:

  1. Handrails in hallways
  2. Good lighting Grab bars in bathrooms No-step showers Emergency call systems

6. Lower Stress

Ask any senior who lives alone in an older home, and they will tell you it can be stressful. Even if they hire someone to help with housekeeping and maintenance, keeping everything coordinated is a lot of work. Giving up these responsibilities and moving to a senior living community can help decrease an older adult’s stress and improve their quality of life.

Take a Tour of a Five Star Community

The benefits of moving to a senior living community above are incredibly important, and we hope you take them to heart. But we also encourage you to explore a community for yourself. Find a Five Star Senior Living community near you and schedule a tour today. We can’t wait to meet you and discuss your loved one’s needs.

Loved One Moving to Senior Living? Here’s How to Start the Search

What are the next steps? How do you find the best senior community?

The following tips can help you or your older loved one find a senior living community they will be happy to call home.

What to Consider in the Search for a Senior Living Community
Here’s what you should consider in your search:

Be Realistic about the Senior’s Budget

Before you actually start the search, take an honest look at your aging loved one’s finances. How much they can afford to spend? And how will they be paying for senior living?

Determine What Type of Care They May Need

Does your loved one already require assisted living services? Do they need dementia care? Are they healthy and active but want to be prepared for a day when they might need some extra help?

Their requirements for care combined with their budget will help you determine whether they need assisted living, memory care or a continuing care retirement community.

Location, Location, Location

Realtors are right. Location matters. For convenience, you’d probably prefer your loved one to be close to you. So that’s a factor to consider.

But don’t search for a senior living community based solely on proximity to your house. Ideally, the community will also be centrally located near their preferred doctors, shops they frequent, and other amenities.

Relocating When Your Loved One Lives Far Away

If you are relocating a senior loved one who lives far away from you, there are other factors to consider. Do they want to stay in their hometown? Be near their church or synagogue? Move closer to you? Or do they want to relocate somewhere else entirely, such as to a warmer climate?

Consider the climate, convenience to transportation services (so you can visit easily), and, of course, the safety of the surrounding neighborhood.

Pinpoint Your Loved One’s Likes and Dislikes

There are senior living communities today that cater to nearly every lifestyle, from green communities for those concerned about the environment to golf communities for seniors who love to hit the course every day. Talk to your loved one about what they like to do and how they’d like to spend their retirement years.

Don’t make assumptions about what is important to your family member. Your outdoor-loving dad might have recently developed an interest in art or photography since his hip replacement. Or maybe your mom, who spent her life behind a desk, has been waiting for retirement to start hiking and bicycling.

Discuss Their Preferred Styles

Again, don’t assume you know what your aging parent would like based on their current home’s décor. Moving into a senior community is a great way for an older adult to reinvent themselves and their sense of style.

From glamorous luxury to a comfy traditional setting, there is a senior community to appeal to every taste.

Ask Around for Reviews and Feedback

Just as you would if you were searching for the best doctor or home contractor, ask people you know for recommendations in senior living.  You can also visit online review sites to see what other families have to say about a community you are considering.

Visit Communities

In-person visits are a must before you make a decision. Tour the community at least twice and ask lots of questions. Spend some extra time driving around the neighborhood. Especially if your loved one is considering a place outside of their current town, you’ll want to assess the area.

Start Here

Once your loved one knows what area they would like to live in and what amenities are important, you can start the search for a senior community right here at Five Star Senior Living.

With more than 270 senior living communities in over 30 states, you will likely find exactly what you’re looking for at Five Star. 

The History of Older Americans Month

<!–[CDATA[Did you know May is Older Americans Month? That’s right. Seniors have their very own month – and we’ve been celebrating it here in the U.S. since 1963.

Why?

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens met to address the growing concerns of America’s 17 million individuals ages 65 and older. At the time, one-third of all seniors lived in poverty with few social programs available to help support them.

To raise awareness of the problems facing seniors and to honor them, then-President Kennedy and the Council proclaimed May as Senior Citizens Month.

Senior Citizens Month Becomes Older Americans Month

Two years later, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Older Americans Act of 1965 and formally declared May as Older Americans Month. But the act did much more than raise awareness or encourage community involvement – although it did both of these things well.

Johnson took Kennedy’s proclamation and intentions a step further by taking action that resulted in positive change, financial assistance and federal support for older Americans.

The Older Americans Act:
·        established the Administration on Agency, the first federal agency designed to address the struggles of older Americans
·        introduced nutrition programs, transportation assistance, federally funded adult day care, legal assistance and other services for seniors
·        paved the way to passing the Medicare program to offer health care to seniors

Older Americans Month in the Recent Past

The proclamation didn’t end with Johnson, either. Every president since has offered a formal proclamation declaring May as a time to remember and honor older Americans. Communities organize events, fairs, and fundraisers focusing on seniors.

Each year, the Administration on Aging (AOA) and the Administration of Community Living (ACL) establishes a theme for Older Americans Month and encourages communities to organize events based on the theme.

For instance, in 2014, Older Americans Month focused on injury and fall prevention for seniors with the theme “Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.”

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans act. The year’s theme, “Get into the Act,” encouraged seniors to take action in a number of ways including:

·        getting active in their communities
·        taking charge of their health and wellness
·        making a difference in the lives of others through mentorship, community involvement and volunteerism

Celebrating Older Americans Month

Activities for the month may focus on empowering seniors to become trailblazers in ways big and small – from managing their finances better to taking charge of their health and wellness. Join Five Star Senior Living in saluting older adults through the month of May and every day after!
 

The Differences Between Independent Living and Assisted Living

Sometimes the search for senior living can leave an older adult and their family members questioning what type of community they really need. Is an Independent Living community, offering a wide variety of life enrichment programs and freedom from household chores, the best fit? Or does a loved one need the added support and care for activities of daily living (ADLs) provided by an Assisted Living community?

Although some senior living communities, including Five Star, offer both popular types of senior housing in one location, it can help to understand how they differ in meeting the unique needs of aging adults at different stages of life. Here’s a closer look.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living refers to a community for older adults who need a little extra help with activities of daily living to live their most independent life. This help may include:

  • Support with personal care needs, such as bathing, grooming and dressing
  • Medication reminders—coordination and supervision
  • Nutritious meals and healthy snacks, including the ability to accommodate special diets like low-salt, gluten-free and diabetes-related
  • Help with toileting and continence care
  • Housekeeping, laundry, trash removal and maintenance

Assisted Living Is Not a Nursing Home

Equally important is understanding what Assisted Living is not: It is not a skilled nursing facility, also known as a nursing care center or nursing home. Nursing home residents usually have more complex medical needs. This generally means they require skilled care delivered by nurses, physical therapists and other medical professionals.

Some Assisted Living communities do offer the option to add additional services as needed. Within a Five Star community, you can scale Assisted Living services up or down as you or your loved one’s needs change.

Another type of Assisted Living community is called Memory Care. Memory Care communities support people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As with Assisted Living, Memory Care is not a nursing home; however, caregivers have undergone specialized training and there are targeted programs for residents, such as Five Star’s Bridge to Rediscovery.

Assisted Living Amenities

Assisted Living communities often provide transportation for residents to visit local attractions or to go shopping. The best Assisted Living communities also provide residents with a variety of educational, social and wellness programs, included as part of the monthly fee. Games, movie nights and exercise programs can be part of everyday life—just as they are in Independent Living communities.

What is Independent Living?

Independent Living communities, sometimes called retirement villages, are communities open to senior residents only. They are often a good fit for older adults seeking freedom from the burdens of homeownership. Because housekeeping tasks and maintenance chores are handled by team members, residents have more time to fully enjoy their retirement.

An Independent Living community nurtures an older adult’s interests and hobbies. These often include hosting travel groups, life-enrichment activities, continuing education classes and wellness programs. Many Independent Living residents spend time volunteering in the community or for area nonprofit organizations.

Independent Senior Living Amenities

Like Assisted Living, Independent Living communities typically provide a number of amenities and services for one monthly fee. For instance, electricity, climate control, television, phone and Internet access costs might all be included as part of the rental fee.

Some Independent Living communities, such as those within the Five Star family, provide many extras for residents. These includes housekeeping, laundry, on-site dining, and transportation as part of the monthly fee. Our Independent Living communities also provide the option of adding Assisted Living services as needed. All of this makes an Independent Living community a simple and cost-effective senior housing solution.

Comparing Independent Living and Assisted Living Communities

In short, an Assisted Living community may be the best choice if you or your loved one needs some help with daily activities but not continuous medical care or supervision. An Independent Living community may be best for those who don’t need extra help but are ready to move on from home ownership. Whether Assisted or Independent Living is the right solution for you or a family member, Five Star offers activities tailored to individual interests and ability levels—everything one could want to maintain a vibrant and healthy lifestyle.

Learn More About Senior Living Options

To learn more, visit our Senior Living Options page. You’ll find additional information and resources to help determine what type of senior living best suits your needs. Meanwhile, why not learn which Five Star community options are near you?

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5 Benefits of Moving to a Senior Living Community when You Are an Active Older Adult

You have a big, beautiful house. But since your adult children have moved out, it’s empty more often than not. As you and your spouse struggle to keep up with the housework, home maintenance, and landscaping, you might wonder if it’s time to move to a senior living community.

Moving to a senior living community before you need assisted living, nursing, or memory care carries many advantages, especially for active adults.

Why Move to a Senior Living Community?

Here are a few benefits:

1. Never worry about yard work or home maintenance
One of the key advantages of a senior community is saying good-bye to yard work, snow removal, and home maintenance. These things are included in your monthly senior living fees. You may even have the option to add housekeeping services.

2. Pay one monthly price for most of your expenses
We’re not going to tell you senior living communities are inexpensive. But when you add up your monthly living expenses from cable and internet access to your property taxes and everything you spend on entertainment, you’ll discover that senior living is more cost effective than you thought.

Most residents in a senior community don’t need a car, since almost everything they need is located on-site and transportation services are provided to get around town. That’s another cost savings you might not have considered.

3. Enjoy many amenities close to home
As you factor in the cost savings of having so many things you love to do so close to home, you’ll also want to consider the convenience. Fitness classes, adult education, special events, and entertainment are all located on-site, along with gourmet dining options staffed by professional chefs.

Whether you like hiking, cycling, golf, gardening or weight training, you can find a senior community that offers your favorite hobbies.

4. Make new friends with similar interests
While you’re out and about in your community doing what you love, you’ll meet other seniors who enjoy the same things. If you find your social circle has gotten smaller, you can join a music group, a yoga class, or take an on-site class to meet interesting people your own age.

5. Move while you’re healthy
It’s stressful for a senior who is experiencing changes in their mental and physical health to sell their home and move to assisted living. The burden of the sale of your home may fall on your children, who feel stressed to accept an offer so you can move.

Take Control of Your Future

Take control of your retirement and your future well-being by choosing the retirement community of your dreams now. Talk to a team member at the Five Star Living community nearest you to decide if it’s time to start enjoying your retirement in a whole new way.

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