How to Choose the Right Senior Living Option for You

How you’ll spend your golden years is entirely up to you. That’s the beauty of retirement — fewer demands on your time and the freedom to fill your days doing the things you enjoy most. However, while you’re looking forward to relishing your leisure time, it’s important to also think about where you’ll live and explore your senior living options.

Some seniors opt to remain in their current homes when they retire, while others are eager to shed the responsibility of homeownership or looking forward  to moving closer to kids and grandkids.

Ultimately, where you choose to live in retirement is a very personal decision, but that’s not just because it reflects your lifestyle preferences. Where you live as a retiree should also take into account your overall health and mobility in the short term and the long term.

Compare Common Senior Living Options

Many seniors don’t even realize how many different options they have when it comes to senior living. These are some of the more typical senior living options older adults consider:

Private home: You might prefer to live in a private residence, whether it’s a family home you’ve lived in for decades or a single family house in a neighborhood closer to family or friends. This option is especially appealing to newly retired individuals and couples who are active, able and willing to continue caring for a home.

Independent Living: Those who are attracted to the idea of Independent Living are likely to live as active and vibrant a lifestyle as their peers who prefer private homes, but there are a couple of notable differences. One is that they don’t want to be tied to homeownership. Moving to an Independent Living retirement community generally means leaving housekeeping chores and maintenance behind.

Another draw of Independent Living is the lifestyle it offers. Independent Living communities typically offer residents an array of amenities and services such as fitness centers, spas and gardens, along with social activities, educational and cultural opportunities. 

Assisted Living: Decades ago, if an older adult was unable to live independently, the alternative was a one-size-fits all nursing home. Today, many senior living communities — including Riverside Senior Life Communities — provide a continuum of care, with support and services tailored to residents’ unique needs. Assisted Living residents may need an extra hand with activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating or grooming, but they’re otherwise fairly independent and don’t require special medical care. In fact, Assisted Living often allows residents to regain a degree of independence while improving their quality of life.

Memory Care: As the name suggests, Memory Care communities are designed to support those with unique needs related to memory loss, usually as a result of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Specially trained staff work closely with residents and their families to create a comfortable, stable and secure environment that reduces confusion and encourages pleasant, peaceful days.

Skilled Nursing: Seniors with chronic health conditions or ongoing medical needs can find the support they need in a Skilled Nursing community. Care is provided by licensed health professionals, either on a short-term basis following an injury or illness, or long term for residents needing advanced ongoing care such as injections, physical therapy and monitoring vital signs.

Planning for the Future

Beyond the important consideration of what level of care they need now (and may need in the future), many seniors are drawn to the idea of retirement communities for the lifestyle they provide. Access to services and amenities designed especially for seniors and neighbors who are all in the same stage of life are just some of the benefits of retiring in a senior living community. 

What’s more, Riverside Senior Life Communities offer a continuum of care, so you can access the care  you need as your health changes over time. In addition to private estate homes, residents can access senior living options including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. Contact us to learn more about planning your retirement at Riverside Senior Life.