Top Ten Suggested Admission Requirements

November 24, 2010 By Jack Booth Leave a Comment

Do You Qualify for an Independent Living Retirement Community?

Happy Senior Playing Cards I’m often asked by people researching independent living retirement communities whether they actually qualify for residency. It’s an excellent question so I’ve compiled my Top Ten List of Admission Requirements. It’s general in nature so be sure and check with your prospective independent living retirement community for any specific criteria they may have.

  1. Must be 55 years of age or older
  2. Ambulate independently or with the aid of a cane/walker without the reliance of a wheelchair
  3. Be able to manage independently all routine aspects of daily living including bathing, dressing,appropriate personal hygiene and medication management
  4. Must be able to function independently in a community setting
  5. Live harmoniously with neighbors and be respectful of staff
  6. Need to have good decision making skills pertaining to personal well being
  7. Must be able to oversee personal financial matters
  8. Must not have any health problems that would be harmful to other residents
  9. Must have the financial resources to cover the cost of living at the retirement community

You may have noticed I only managed nine so as soon as I think of a tenth I’ll add it to the list!

Cielo Azul Independent Living

Cielo Azul is a fine example of a planned independent living retirement community. Our mission is to meet the physical, social and psychological needs, and contribute to the health, security sense of purpose and happiness of each and every resident. If you need any further information about Cielo Azul please contact us.We’d be very happy to hear from you.

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Choosing Senior Housing to Meet Your Needs

November 24, 2010 By Jack Booth Leave a Comment

There are a variety of options for senior housing and here are the top four:

Independent Living

Independent Living is for seniors who are self-sufficient and are able to live independently in an apartment or home usually within a retirement community.  Seniors living in a retirement community enjoy the privacy of living in their own apartment or condo in addition to the security, activities and full services of a retirement community.  Additional services are available when needed to help meet the resident’s needs.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living is available in numerous types of facilities for residents who have minimal health problems and are in need of help with personal care assistance, meal preparation, bathing, dressing and supervision of medications.   Assisted Living Facilities can range from congregate care homes for seniors usually with less than ten residents to large Assisted Living Facilities with private apartments, and fifty or more residents offering a full option of services and activities.

Nursing Home

A Nursing Home or Skilled Nursing Facility provides nursing care up to twenty-four hours a day for residents with chronic illness or long term disabilities.  Nursing Homes also provide short term rehabilitation therapy.   Nursing Homes offers both temporary and long term stays.  Seniors may need to go to a nursing home for care and rehab following a hospitalization, surgery or stroke and then return home.  In other situations a senior may need to consider a long term stay for the continued services and care they need.

Memory Impaired Facility

A Memory Impaired Facility is for seniors who are experiencing a major short or long term memory loss.  This type of facility provides a secure environment with staff twenty four hours a day to provide help and support to the residents.  Limited nursing care may also be provided.  Often seniors diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss will benefit from living in a facility that specializes in providing services to memory impaired residents.

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What is a Retirement Community?

November 22, 2010 By Jack Booth Leave a Comment

GolferWhen it’s time to consider a retirement community it can often be a daunting task researching the bewildering array of options available. The first step  is to identify what your own needs are.  You may have an independent lifestyle and want to work on your golf handicap or you may need additional services to maintain your independent lifestyle. Whatever your needs may be it is important that you choose a community that offers you the services you need at a cost within your budget.

A broad definition of a retirement community is a variety of housing options designed for people over 55 years of age and no longer in full time employment. There are three main categories:

Planned Retirement Communities

Planned Retirement Communities can consist of single family cluster housing, condominium complexes, apartment complexes, mobile home parks and manufactured home communities.  Today, the most popular model is the planned condo or apartment complex of which Cielo Azul Retirement Community is a fine example.

Services

In a planned community the condos or apartments are designed for independent living with  kitchens for meal preparations.  Planned communities will have common areas for on site social activities, health club, main dinning room, 24 hour emergency response system and scheduled transportation.  Also provided are one to two meals per day in the main dinning room, house keeping services, linen service and maintenance service.

Many planned retirement communities will offer additional support services by providing a separate Assisted Living Unit and Alzheimer’s Unit on the same campus or in the same complex as the Independent Living section.

Cost

Today, most planned retirement communities require the purchase of a home or condo, or pay a move-in fee.  The cost to buy in reflects the local real estate market for housing plus the cost of the amenities provided by the community.  These communities will also have a monthly service fee to cover the cost of services provided to the residents.  These communities are private-pay  with no government subsidies.

Congregate Housing

Congregate Housing often consist of converted private homes or small apartment complexes.

Services

Residents in Congregate Housing usually live boarding-house style by renting a bedroom with meals served in a common dining room. In apartment complexes the residents may have a small apartment with limited space for socializing. The social activities are informal and the  space is usually limited to a Living Room.

Cost

The cost of these Congregate Homes often is based on the amount of services offered to the resident and the amount of community space provided.  Usually these homes are private pay.

Subsidized Housing For Seniors

Subsidized Housing for Seniors often consist of small apartments in an apartment complex or a bedroom in a Board and Care Home.

Services

Usually in the apartment complex there are no services provided to the residents. In the board-and-care home one to two meals a day are provided.  Common area in either model  usually consist of only a small community sitting area.

Cost

Subsidized by the government and the resident must qualify for low- income assistance.

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