Finding the Right Living Option

Today's retirement communities are a far cry from the "nursing homes" of the past. Your loved ones have choices their parents never dreamed of considering. In fact, one of the biggest challenges they may face is deciding which living option suits them best.

You can help your loved ones make a good decision by learning all you can about the different choices available to them. About three-quarters of older adults choose to retire near one or more of their adult children, so there's a good chance they will want to be near you. Here's a quick guide to some of the most popular offerings:

Active Adult

Active Adult communities typically offer free-standing houses or townhouses that are centered around recreational opportunities, such as golf courses, tennis courts, fitness centers and pools. Residents typically buy their homes. These communities rarely provide access to assisted living or skilled care, meal plans or transportation programs.

Residential or Independent Living

Residential or Independent Living communities usually offer apartments on a rental basis to people targeted by age, usually 62 or older. Many of these communities are operated by for-profit organizations and typically do not include access to assisted living or skilled care. Some may offer one or two meals a day or transportation to popular destinations.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living communities generally offer apartments — either private or shared — plus an array of services that help residents manage their day-to-day living activities. Aides are available to help residents get dressed, take showers and move about the community. Typically, these communities provide their residents with three meals a day, plus a full program of recreational and cultural pursuits. Most of these communities are operated by for-profit providers on a pay-as-you-go basis. Some provide services for residents with memory loss. Only a handful of assisted living communities in Illinois offer subsidies for low-income older adults. Call the Illinois Senior HelpLine toll-free at 800-252-8966 or (TTY) 888-206-1377 if you live in Illinois. Call 217-524-6911 if you live elsewhere.

Skilled Nursing Care

Skilled Nursing Care communities offer professional nursing services for all residents and are commonly referred to as "nursing homes." The vast majority are equipped to provide older adults with rehabilitation services to help with recovery from surgery or illness. These types of stays are typically covered by Medicare. Many of these organizations also offer end-of-life services, such as hospice care. A smaller number provide long-term care for people with conditions requiring 24-hour attention by skilled nurses. These types of stays are not typically covered by Medicare. Some (but not all) skilled nursing organizations accept residents who rely on the state's Medicaid system to pay their bills once they have exhausted their life savings.

Adult Day Care

Adult Day Care offers seniors a chance to socialize with their peers, they receive assistance with their daily needs, and are engaged through a variety of unique activities in an off-campus environment. It offers caregivers and families a respite from their daily care activities.

Home Assistance

Home Assistance provides in-home support for seniors so they can remain in their residence. Some of the services provided through home assistance include home health aide services, transportation, meals, shopping, obtaining prescription medications, home maintenance, assistance with bill paying and more.

Continuing Care Retirement Community

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offers a full range of living options, including Residential Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing. Regardless of what life brings, residents can find the right living accommodation at the right time.

Typically, residents pay an Entrance Fee to join the community, plus a Monthly Service Fee covering everything from meals to real estate taxes, utilities, transportation services, home maintenance, housekeeping and a full cultural enrichment program. These communities offer a variety of contract options. Entrance Fees can be non-refundable, partially refundable or 100 percent refundable. Some contracts may help offset the future cost of health care by offering a lifetime discount or free days in assisted living or skilled nursing. Many CCRCs offer programs to help residents stay as healthy as possible.

More information on Senior Housing options and resources:
Amer. Assoc. Of Homes & Services for the Aged	www.aahsa.org
Life Services Network (Illinois senior housing association)	www.lsni.org
Assisted Living Federation	www.alfa.org
Consortium on Assisted Living	www.ccal.org
IL Housing Development	www.ihda.org
Nursing Home Information	www.medicare.gov/NHCompare
National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform	www.nccnhr.org
Illinois Department of Public Health	www.idph.state.il.us
Home Modification Information	www.homemods.org