North Carolina is blessed with beautiful weather, stunning beaches, and a friendly community spirit. It’s a great state to spend your retirement, and with 762 senior living communities, you have a lot of assisted living options!
If you’ve started looking for a home to move to, you may be overwhelmed by the many varieties on offer. Some types of senior living facilities include assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes. But which is right for you now and for your long-term needs?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at two types of senior living facilities – senior assisted living and memory care. This can help you make the right choice that will let you thrive in a comfortable environment.
Understanding Senior Assisted Living
There are various forms of assisted living options. In this article, we will focus on senior assisted living, which promotes independent senior living, but with extra care on hand.
Amenities That Help You Thrive
Senior retirement communities are just that – an environment where you can get together with other people with similar interests and really enjoy life. A 2023 survey found that 34% of people aged 50-80 felt isolated in the last year. However, at a senior assisted living community, you have the opportunity to enjoy association with others as much, or as little, as you choose.
Some of the social activities include:
- Live entertainment
- Local excursions
- Rooms for games and crafts
- Library
- Gardens to relax and socialize in
No More Home Maintenance
As we get older, more of us find maintaining a home to be costly and challenging. At an independent senior living community, all home maintenance is taken care of. All you have to do is report any issues, and a friendly staff member will come along to fix them.
You can also enjoy beautiful gardens and walking paths without having to touch a lawnmower or pull up a weed!
Delicious Meals Without Hassle
We all want to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals three times a day, but cooking can become a burden. In assisted living options, you could have the choice of cooking in your apartment or enjoying meals in the on-site restaurant. You’ll get three meals a day, plus snacks, so you’ll never go hungry!
Laundry and Housekeeping
Keep yourself and your home looking their best but without the hard work! Laundry services will return your clothes washed and ironed, and housekeeping will keep your home spotless.
Care That Comes To You
Senior assisted living communities are also long-term care communities. This means that you have nursing care on hand, 24 hours a day. While there is no doctor in residence, physicians are on-call and can attend as needed.
You can receive the care and support you need, all in the comfort and privacy of your own apartment. Care services vary from person to person but could include:
- Assistance with diabetes management
- Wound care
- Medication management
- Continence care
- Bathing assistance
- Grooming and personal care
- Dressing support
Each resident will receive a tailored package of support services. As needs change, these will be updated so that you always have the right level of support. But don’t worry – the focus throughout is on helping you maintain your cherished independence.
The Benefits of Memory Care
Memory issues are not an inevitable part of aging. However, current statistics show that around 12% of Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease.
As the disease progresses, an increasing level of care is needed. So when undertaking your nursing home comparison, consider how equipped they are to provide for your long-term needs.
For example, some senior retirement communities are able to provide memory care on-site. This may include transitional memory care as needs increase before you move into a fully equipped memory care facility at the same location.
Transitional Memory Care
These assisted living options are ideal for people with mild memory impairment who still want to enjoy an active lifestyle. The accommodations and amenities combine security, comfort, and memory care, while allowing for a fun schedule of activities.
The team at transitional memory care communities is trained to focus on individual care. A personalized plan may include gentle reminders as you go about your daily routines. Other services include:
- Wellness classes
- Enrichment activities
- Social gatherings, if desired
Memory Care
Full memory care services provide compassionate, dedicated memory care for seniors who are experiencing more significant memory issues. The primary focus is on keeping each person safe and feeling supported. The team is trained to provide the full spectrum of care to seniors with memory-related conditions.
This includes:
- A personalized care plan for each individual
- A “My Story” book for each resident that details what makes them unique
- Dining options that are enjoyable yet nutrient-rich
One of the most reassuring aspects is that your family will be fully involved in your care. Memory care services keep in touch with them, regularly updating them on how you are doing. And, of course, you can enjoy entertaining your family in your beautiful home.
By focusing on helping each individual to thrive, the spotlight is taken off of limitations and shone on your successes. Enjoy the things you used to love, such as games, exercise, and socializing, all in an environment where you are comfortable and supported.
Staff members at memory care services also benefit from ongoing training. This helps ensure that they are up to date with the latest research and are able to provide the best level of care and support.
Types of Senior Living Facilities Available in Raleigh, NC
At TerraBella Northridge in Raleigh, NC, we are proud to offer three types of senior living facilities. Our Senior Assisted Living community is ideal for older adults who can live independently but require a little extra assistance. Our services include personal care, medication management, and 24-hour nursing.
For people with dementia, we offer Transitional Memory Care and SHINE® Memory Care. Both programs provide seniors with the care they need in a home-like setting. As the individual’s condition progresses, they receive the help they need without having to move to another community.
Come and see for yourself what we have to offer! Schedule a tour today!
