Senior Living communities typically have four levels of care, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing Care. This care continuum goes from total independence to the most medical care you can receive outside of a hospital. Lately, you may notice some communities, like The MonteVista at Coronado, offering an “Independent Plus” level of care. What is Independent Plus, and how do you know if it’s right for you or your senior? Read on to find out!
What are the main levels of senior care?
There are various terms for care levels and their associated costs in the world of senior living. Most communities use the following terms:
- Independent Living. This can also be described as a “55+ community,” retirement community, retirement village, or active adult community. In these communities, you have your own home or apartment within a building or gated neighborhood. You don’t receive any medical care or assistance. At Stellar Independent Living Communities, you’ll still receive housekeeping services, chef-prepared meals in a fine dining room, resort-style amenities, transportation services, and tons of activities. Some independent living communities also offer laundry services, and some may have free washrooms or washers and dryers within your unit.
- Assisted Living. Some might also use the terms “extra-care housing,” residential care community, or retirement home to describe assisted living. In these communities, you get all the benefits of independent living, plus assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). These ADLs could include eating and/or drinking, showering, toileting, transferring, medication management and/or mobility. Staff members typically provide these services within your home.
- Memory Care. Memory Care is specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, cognitive decline, and memory loss. Typically, Memory Care communities offer increased security and supervision to ensure safety. They’ll also often have special activities intended to treat and slow the progression of dementia. Assisted Living services are also provided as needed. Stellar Memory Care Communities still offer all their amenities and activities to Memory Care residents.
- Skilled Nursing Care. A Skilled Nursing Care Community can also be called a “nursing home,” “convalescent home,” “SNF”, or “skilled nursing facility.” At Stellar, we avoid these terms because our Skilled Nursing Care looks like a home, not a hospital. Skilled Nursing Care is the most care you can receive outside of a hospital. It typically includes high-level medical care for recovery from or management of severe illnesses, injuries, or chronic conditions. Stellar Skilled Nursing Communities maintain the same high quality of life, beauty, and resort-style activities and amenities that we offer all community members.
How Independent Plus Fits In
Independent Plus care is a new term that is somewhere between Independent Living and Assisted Living. It is lower in cost than Assisted Living, and does not require moving to a different home or apartment. It may involve minor assistance in one or two areas, like getting out of bed, medication reminders, or help getting to the shower.
Is Independent Plus Right for Me?
If you or your loved one values their autonomy and isn’t quite ready for assisted living, but needs a little extra help, Independent Plus is a great choice. It will give you extra safety, security, and peace of mind, without compromising you or your loved one’s independence.
Where Can I Find Independent Plus Care?
Several Stellar Living Communities offer independent plus care, including The MonteVista at Coronado in West El Paso, Texas and The Palms at Sun City in Sun City, Arizona (learn more here). You can also ask your senior living community Family Advisor if your community could offer you Independent Plus Care.
Want to learn more? Contact us at Stellar Living and let us answer all of your questions today.
