Questions to Ask About Independent Living

What Are the Most Common Types of Senior Living Options?

It’s important to understand your options before deciding where to live. There are five main types of senior living care to choose from:

• Independent living – An independent living facility can also be called a retirement community. This facility allows seniors to live independently, typically in apartments, homes, or condos. They can enjoy amenities like a pool, fitness, social activities, and events. They have access to maintenance services and sometimes housekeeping services. Residents can make their own meals in their kitchens or eat at one of the restaurants or cafeterias in the community. Personal care services and medical services are not provided.
• Assisted living – Assisted living facilities are designed for seniors who can no longer live independently. These facilities offer assistance with medication management, meal planning, healthcare, and daily living activities. They usually offer amenities like a clubhouse, events, social activities, a gym, a movie theater, and a pool.
• Nursing care – A nursing care facility offers seniors ongoing skilled nursing care and/or long-term 24-hour nursing care. This type of facility is required to have a registered nurse on staff 24/7.
• Memory care – Memory care services can be provided in a separate facility or as part of an assisted living or nursing care facility. Memory care is specialized care for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• Home health care – Home health care services are provided to seniors in the comfort of their own homes. You can set a schedule and choose which services you need. The services offered are typically socialization and companionship, assistance with the tasks of daily living, mobility assistance, medication management, grocery shopping and meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and memory care.

Each of these options also offers varying levels of care. A home health care agency can offer 24/7 skilled nursing in-home care or basic in-home care services you set on your schedule.

What Care Options Are Provided?

Before choosing a retirement home, assisted living community, or independent living community, you should find out what care options they provide. Some communities offer multiple levels of care so that their residents can age in place. This means they will not need to move into another community as they age and their needs change. Spanish Cove Retirement Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, home health care, skilled nursing, and long-term nursing care.

When Is the Right Time to Move In?

Making the decision to move into a retirement community is very personal. No one factor will tell you it is the right time to make that transition. We recommend having conversations with your family and loved ones. If you no longer feel comfortable living on your own and want to take advantage of the safety, comfort, and convenience offered by a retirement community or assisted living facility, it’s time to consider a senior living community.

What Happens if a Senior’s Health Needs Change and More Care Is Necessary?

The answer to this question depends on what type of facility you’re touring. If you are touring a facility that offers only one level of care, you would have to move into a facility that can accommodate your changing health needs. You could also hire a third-party company to receive in-home care. At Spanish Cove Retirement Village, you have access to five levels of care: independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and long-term nursing care. This means if your health needs change temporarily or permanently, you will have access to the care you need without having to move.

Who Can Help Me Explore the Logistical and Financial Options Available for Senior Living?

Medicare and Medicaid don’t fully cover the cost of assisted living or a retirement community. Most residents use their retirement savings combined with their pension plan and social security income or get assistance from family. Work with a financial professional who specializes in helping seniors pay for senior living services. Each facility you tour may also offer financial options. The cost of the facility you choose will depend on the level of care, what amenities are offered, and what fees they charge. The monthly cost of retirement living or senior living can be between $870-10,000.

What Activities Do Senior Living Communities Offer?

Social activities and exercise are crucial to maintaining your physical and mental health. You want to choose a senior living community that offers access to various events and activities. At Spanish Cove Retirement Village, we help our residents maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle with access to a wide variety of engaging activities, including:

• Community lounge areas
• Travel club
• Bridge, card games, and dominos
• Educational opportunities
• Tech classes
• Billiards
• Library
• Woodworking shop
• Fine dining
• Clubs and specialized interest groups
• Events like karaoke, trivia, and informational seminars
• Video library
• Beauty salons
• Art studio
• Sewing and quilting room
• Pet park
• Club meeting rooms
• Rooftop garden
• Concerts, dances, and themed parties
• Classic movie showcase
• Transportation to shopping and planned trips

What Steps Do Communities Take for Resident Safety and Well-Being?

The senior living community you choose should take steps to protect their residents’ safety and well-being. Ask to talk to their security staff or management team if possible. Most facilities have controlled access, meaning guests must check in on arrival, and people aren’t allowed to wander around without a guest pass. Some facilities have security guards, cameras, gated access, and more.

Who Is Available to Assist Community Members in Case of Emergencies?

It’s also very important to find out what level of support the staff offers in an emergency. An emergency could be a health emergency, a fall, or a mental health emergency. Before moving in, you will want to find out what their protocol is for unexpected and serious events. At Spanish Cove Retirement Village, we offer 24-hour emergency response services. We also have grab bars and safety features in each bathroom and in the apartments and cottages.

Is Transportation Available?

When you move into a senior living facility, retirement home, or assisted living facility, you don’t want to be limited to the campus forever. Most facilities offer transportation or shuttle service for planned events and private transportation to medical appointments. At Spanish Cove Retirement Village, we offer both.

Do I Pay to Use the Transportation Services?

Most senior independent living communities charge additional fees for their amenities and services. They may charge a fee each time you use their private transportation, or they may charge a monthly fee for access to their transportation services. That fee could be part of a larger amenities fee. It’s important to be aware of the added fees you will be charged and how much it will cost you to access certain amenities.

How Is the Food?

Most independent, assisted, and nursing facilities offer a meal plan. This could include access to cafeteria meals or dining in an on-site cafe or restaurant. Ask to see examples of their menus, and if possible, talk to the chef and other residents about their experience with the facility’s meals and dining services.

Can I Bring My Pet?

Some senior living communities allow you to bring a pet with you, though they will restrict the size, age, breed, and type of pet. For instance, most facilities will allow you to bring one cat or one dog that is under 35 pounds and is well-behaved, well-trained, and quiet. If residents complain about your pet or it becomes a safety issue, you may be unable to have it anymore. Most facilities require pets to be leashed or crated in common areas, and they have designated outdoor areas where you can bring your pet to potty or get fresh air. Spanish Cove Retirement Village has a Pet Park where residents can bring their pets.

Can I Have Friends and Relatives Over to Visit? What About Overnight Guests?

Most senior living facilities encourage residents to have friends and relatives visit, but they may place restrictions on having overnight guests. It’s important to find out ahead of time what their policy is. The safety of their residents is crucial, and they may feel that having guests outside of visitor hours or overnight disrupts the safety and comfort of their community.

Have More Questions About Senior Living Communities?

Do you have more questions about senior living communities in Yukon, OK? Our team at Spanish Cove Retirement Village has answers. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a tour or ask questions. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to help.