All you need to know about Retirement Homes

A retirement home is any privately owned facility that is meant and designed to accommodate aging individuals. These facilities are intended for those wishing to experience on-site care and support while maintaining their lifestyles. Retirement homes are also referred to as assisted living facilities and are not the same as nursing homes. Nursing homes refer to facilities designed to cater to the needs of individuals with prolonged medical attention—consequently, their focus shifts from advocating for independence to promoting healing.

Types of Retirement Homes

From its definition, you can be quick to think that all retirement homes are the same. Contrary to that, there exist different types of retirement homes, they include:

Congregate Care Homes

Congregate care is defined as an environment where an individual lives independently in an apartment setting. This includes the dining room, central lobby, and relaxing zone. This type of retirement home allows individuals to maintain their independence but still get assisted when necessary. As much as they might be subject to house assistance programs, they are mostly paid for privately.

Subsidized Senior Homes

According to a study by the Housing Department, a third of the elderly individuals experience challenges looking for a place to live. This is evident in the fact retirement facilities are not so common. To curb the shortage, subsidized senior housing was established. This is a program fit for low-income earners, allowing them to live within government-regulated townhomes and apartments.

Retirement Communities

These are master-planned retirement facilities. Retirement communities allow the elderly to live in apartments, private condos, stand-alone structures, or townhomes, deliver an active social scene, and promote independence. These facilities are often defined by income and age restrictions. Given that they are privately funded, these facilities need a relatively higher monthly fee. You can also apply for subsidizations, though they are rare.

Continuing Care Retirement

These retirement homes cater to both present-day and future needs. Continuing care retirement homes allow those in good health to plan for potential medical problems. They feature both assisted living and congregate care living programs within the same premises. This strategy allows the residents to live within an environment they are familiar with, no matter their age and status. In most cases, these facilities are privately funded and don’t accept any government subsidization offer. Every older adult has their own unique needs. These facilities address each one of them, be it connections, support and comfort.

Qualities of a Good Retirement Home

When choosing a retirement home you must consider qualities of a good retirement home like Sienna Living.

• Proximity: You need to go for a facility that is closer to your home. This makes it easy to get in touch with the staff or visit your relative. It is good to choose a facility in your city or not far from your home. It is not a good idea to choose a retirement home based on the pictures you see on the internet. Instead, inquire about all units. It is easy for a retirement home to put up attractive images on its website. That is why choosing a retirement home located nearby is crucial— you can walk into it and assess the situation yourself.
• Safety: A good retirement home is well maintained, from its equipment to furnishings. Check out for any signs of wear and tear that might be dangerous to the elderly. These can be broken chairs, worn linens, and frayed carpets, among others. Safety is very crucial for a retirement home. Please inquire about the facility’s safety protocols, like how they plan on evacuating residents in case of an emergency. Besides, check for the presence of fire extinguishers and exit doors.
• Adequate staffing: For a successful retirement home, adequate staffing is critical. A retirement home should have plenty of professionals. They include registered nurses, physicians, family counselors, personal aides, nursing assistants, wound care specialists, and therapists.
• Compassion: Older people need care and compassion. When looking for a retirement home, have a conversation with the administration and ask them to connect you to the facility’s aide. Talk to them and evaluate their caring and communication skills. See if there are any signs of compassion and empathy. These skills are pivotal in ensuring the well-being of your loved one. Ensure that the facility you choose meets these standards and can guarantee the safety of your loved one.
• Staff retention: A heavy turnover indicates that workers are not happy. A dissatisfied employee is a clear indication of poor care. A good retirement home should have high staff retention, with some employees working there for many decades. A motivated and empowered employee can guarantee quality services. More continuity is evidence that the facility is in good hands.

Benefits of Living in a Retirement Home

Discussed below are the benefits of living in a retirement home.

Sense of Social Connections and Community

You will find a very social atmosphere in a retirement home. These facilities are set up for residents to enjoy social interaction with one another. It is suitable for seniors to engage in social activities because they are very beneficial. The social interactions young people have is not the same as the elderly. They need certain activities that they can relate to, lest they become disengaged and lonely. There are various activities in retirement homes, such as weekly activities, community-style meals, game nights, and social outings, among others.

No more home repairs

When you get older, it might be very challenging to maintain your home. The main reason is that doing repairs in an old age poses a severe risk to your well-being. When you opt to live in a retirement home, you don’t have to do everything. All your needs will be taken care of in the facility, with your safety guaranteed.