Types of Housing Options Are Available in Assisted Living Communities
If you or a senior loved one are thinking about the future and where your next home might be, you have a lot of great choices. Senior living options can range from small group homes to larger communities with different housing options and can offer services and activities for all levels of care and needs.
If you’re considering Solterra apartments, you’ll find a warm community brimming with activities and services that meet your individual needs and interests. Keep reading to see the great options in senior assisted living communities, including ours at Solterra Senior Living.
Housing for Independent Living
Think of independent living as living on your own but in a community full of people just like you. Also known as a “55 and up” or retirement community, some have private cottages or apartments to give residents their personal space. Most communities offer some services as part of the price, such as housekeeping, maintenance of the common grounds, and some extra security.
Many communities may offer parking or transportation, allowing residents to enjoy life without the burdens of chores and maintenance. There are also several floor plans and amenities to choose from, like those you’ll find in Solterra apartments.
Floor plans range from studio to 2-bedroom suites with senior-friendly features like grab bars and 24/7 security call systems. A couple might share a suite, but so might two good friends.
Each apartment is a home waiting to be personalized to your liking. Residents at Solterra Senior Living are encouraged to bring their beloved furnishings, art, and even a furry four-legged friend to make this home. Residences have a kitchenette, so residents can enjoy cooking when they feel like it, or you could meet new friends at restaurant-style dining. Residents can enjoy the resort-like amenities, explore new interests, and experience rich cultural events or recreational activities here and in the nearby community.
Solterra Senior Living communities are known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). A CCRC offers varying housing options at the same location with different levels of care, with independent living, assisted living, and memory care or other skilled nursing care at one location. This allows residents to “age in place,” preventing them from moving far to switch from independent living to skilled nursing care.
Some senior living communities are strictly 55 and up and don’t have these options.
Assisted Living Community Options
An assisted living community is a wonderful option for those who want to keep their independence but need a little assistance. Assisted living communities offer additional services to help support their residents. These include medication management, help getting bathed or dressed, and even mobility support. Depending on the location, there are several housing options.
If you choose a Solterra apartment in assisted living, expect the same floor plans as independent living. Studio to 2-bedroom suites have similar features, and the same resort-like amenities and activities are offered. Private or semi-private apartments are available depending on someone’s needs and preferences; what differs is the level of care. Here, friendly staff are nearby to help residents with their daily needs and will assist with providing or scheduling transportation to the activities and events they find meaningful. Medical staff are on-site, and transportation to medical appointments or outings in the community is provided. With assisted living, residents can be assured that their needs are prioritized so they can live a care-free life.
Assisted living can also be in a group home setting. Group homes are usually single-family homes or multi-family homes that have been converted into assisted living. These are usually smaller homes with fewer residents. While the benefit is a smaller staff-to-resident ratio, group homes come with fewer amenities and activities due to space constraints. Group homes can also be less private with shared bedrooms unless a private room is available. Medical care is usually off-site unless the home has contracted with a medical group.
Supportive Housing for Memory Care
While not all assisted living communities offer multiple levels of care, some do. Memory care can be an incredible option for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Memory care has specially trained staff to support each resident’s specialized needs.
A number of housing options are available for those looking for memory care.
Like assisted living, memory care can be in a group home. Most will have specially trained staff and a smaller resident population than a bigger senior living community. Special security precautions will also be taken, and activities and offerings appropriate for the residents there will be offered. Like assisted living group homes, there are usually no medical staff on-site unless they are contracted, and amenities and activities may be more limited.
The design of Solterra’s memory care apartments goes hand in hand with the care our staff provides. The physical layout of these apartments is designed to be easily navigable with color-coded areas, clear pathways, and a centralized nursing station. Design features like those help reduce confusion and agitation in memory care residents and ensure they can get the attention and assistance they need 24/7.
With secure entrances, the private apartment homes in Solterra’s memory care are well-lit and decorated in calming and soothing colors. Staff are specially trained not just to give care but to accompany residents to activities for additional support. Specific recreational activities, cognitive games, and therapies like art and music support the holistic health of our residents. Memory care residents have the same amenities as assisted living, just the extra help and security they need. You can start your plan by touring a nearby senior living community to see available housing options. If a Solterra apartment sounds like the right move for you, contact us via our website. Enjoy a free tour of any of our beautiful communities and see what we have to offer.