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Housing Options

Options generally fall into five categories, based on level of services and/or care provided:

independent retirement housing provides meals, activities, housekeeping and maintenance to more active seniors
assisted living facilities provide housing and supportive services for seniors needing assistance with personal care or taking medication
nursing homes provide skilled care services for seniors who become temporarily ill or who require long-term healthcare
special care units provide housing and care to dementia specific patients.
continuing care communities that combine all three care options described above.

Independent-Living Retirement Communities:

These complexes are for seniors who are able to live on their own but want the convenience of a comprehensive service package. Meals, housekeeping, activities, transportation and security are among the services provided to active, older adults, usually by request.

Assisted Living Facilities

In addition to the services mentioned above, these facilities provide personal care assistance to residents. This means that, in addition to housekeeping services, residents receive assistance in managing their medications and a helping hand with bathing, grooming, and dressing. Settings can range from three or more older people in a homelike setting to dozens of residents in an institutional environment. Some assisted living facilities are designed to provide special care for persons with dementia, and the number of these specialized facilities is on the rise.

For more information on assisted living go to www.ncal.org (National Center for Assisted Living).

Nursing Homes

For individuals already disabled to the point of requiring daily nursing care as well as other support services, nursing homes provide comprehensive care services in a single setting. While most older persons and their families see nursing home care only as a last resort, they may in fact be the best setting for persons in advanced stages of dementia with multiple problems and requiring multiple types of services.

Special Care Units

These facilities provide dementia specific care. Staff are trained in dementia care and provide programming and activities that are suitable for individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia. Special Care Units are physically and socially adapted for individuals with cognitive impairment. Furthermore, family involvement and family programs are emphasized. Often times, Special Care Units will be associated with a Nursing Home and can provide a comfortable living environment for individuals.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), sometimes also called life care-- communities, combine all three levels of care independent living, assisted living and nursing home care in a single setting. Traditionally, such communities required a sizeable entry fee, plus monthly maintenance fees, in exchange for a living unit, meals, and eventual health care coverage up to the nursing home level. More recently, such communities also have begun to make their services available on a pure rental basis, rather than on the shared risk basis of the traditional life care endowment. In short, these communities provide residents with the independence of retirement.

For further information on housing in your area, please visit these web-sites:

www.nursinghome.org offers information about nursing homes and rehabilitation centers in the Illinois area which includes information about assisted living.
www.FindACareHome.com as a resource for Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
www.aplaceformom.com provides information on assisted living, nursing homes and special care units in your area.
www.MyZiva.Net is a free resource for healthcare professionals, caregivers and prospective residents and their loved ones to find, evaluate, and compare nursing homes across the nation. This site publishes results from the state survey, including a comparison how an individual facility compares to a state's average.
www.seniorhousing.net/ offers a directory of retirement communities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, with detailed descriptions, photographs, floor plans, 360° tours, and direct communications links to onsite managers. Additional information on health topics, long-term care financing, and more.