What is Senior Living?

Confusion is widespread on this subject! To help you learn every option available, here’s an educated opinion:

Senior Living or Retirement Communities are all about
living life to the fullest
and to the best of your ability.

Healthy living is emphasized via wellness centers; balanced nutrition and good food well-prepared (something from all the food groups your mother told you to eat); social, educational and fitness activities; safety, security and licensed health care professionals to supervise these services.

Sound good? The truth is—it’s VERY good. Don’t close your mind to it and say “I’m not ready yet” or “I don’t need it” without actually knowing what you’re passing up. Our senior population is very special. Seniors should be recognized for the people they’ve always been; not the elderly persons they’ve become. They should be honored for their many accomplishments in life.

Senior living communities give them the relief they’ve earned: from home maintenance, housekeeping, driving, cooking— but still helping them maintain their independence! Seniors want to retire from work—not life.

Common Myths:

  • A retirement community is the "last stop" in life—people go there to die.
     
  • I’ll only be around "old people."
     
  • Senior Living Community is just a new name for an "old folks’ home."

Myths Shattered:

  • Senior Living communities preserve independence! Seniors are relieved of the daily drudgery associated with owning and maintaining a home, car, etc. They can focus instead on the things they really WANT to do!
     
  • Who says seniors are “old”? People stay healthier, more active and live longer in retirement communities! It’s been proven. And there’s interaction with ALL generations. (Babies, kids and pets are welcome!)

Senior living communities have Independent Living apartments — like living in a condo — with a lot more services and friendly, helpful staff. Residents never have to be alone unless they want to be. Most communities are rentals; no investment required.

Often, retirement communities also have Assisted Living, which gives people the personal care they need but NOT the help they don’t. Levels of service and costs are based on an individual’s changing needs— with personal care, safety, security and another “family” to care about their well-being 24:7. In life-threatening emergencies, the staff calls 911 and residents are taken to the hospital— like they would be from a private residence.

To round out the full complement of the services offered, many retirement communities also have health care centers which offer 24-hour skilled nursing care and rehabilitation—both short and long-term care. No one has to leave the community for the nursing home care that might eventually be needed.

-- by Carole Seigworth, Marketing Director
of The Forum at Deer Creek,
a Five Star Senior Living Community