SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS
Knowing more about senior living options available here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can make your research process a bit easier. Of course, when you work with iNavigate, we will make recommendations that are tailored to your loved one’s current and future needs.
YOUR SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS
Independent Living
Designed for the active senior who wants to live a maintenance-free lifestyle (so long, lawn maintenance and household chores!), independent living communities offer amenities and services that enhance wellness. Communities offer transportation and housekeeping services as well as a vibrant event calendar packed with new opportunities to meet neighbors, catch live music onsite, or try a new activity.
While security staff is typically onsite around-the-clock, caregivers are not. Residents are responsible for their own care, medication schedule, and personal tasks.
If your loved one is looking for a way to meet new friends, to skip preparing three meals a day for themselves, or wants to retire in style, independent living could be the way to go.
​
Is independent living right for your loved one?
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities offer all the amenities and services of independent living, but with trained caregivers who are there to offer assistance around-the-clock. Caregivers can give verbal cues to take medications or offer more hands-on assistance for activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, or mobility.
Having around-the-clock caregivers gives residents and family members peace of mind that someone is always there to help out. However, residents still have plenty of privacy and autonomy over their days. Residents enjoy amenities such as housekeeping visits, three meals served in the community dining room, laundry and linen services, transportation services, and daily events and activities. Assisted living residents also enjoy access to health and medical services onsite.
If your loved one struggles with household tasks or taking care of themselves, or if their medication schedule overwhelms them, assisted living can be the perfect fit.
​
Is assisted living right for your loved one?
Memory Care
These specialized communities are designed to support residents who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Caregivers are there to offer assistance and reassurance around-the-clock, and communities feature familiar routines and rhythms.
Memory care communities offer a safe and secure environment to meet the challenges that come with cognitive decline. However, they still offer plenty of opportunities for residents to make their own choices about what comes next.
If your loved one has a diagnosis of dementia, a memory care community offers the expertise that they need and the education and support that family members need too.
​
Is memory care right for your loved one?
Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes offer a cozier and more intimate option, ideal for older adults who could use some additional support from caregivers but in a more homelike environment. These communities typically serve less than 16 residents (most serve less than 10) in a home where they share common spaces like dining rooms, living rooms, and outdoor spaces.
These communities can be less expensive than more traditional assisted living communities, which could be beneficial for some. Caregivers are available around-the-clock and homes utilize home health, hospice, and other visiting medical professionals to bring medical services onsite.
If your loved one prefers smaller group settings, a residential care home could be their ideal match.
​
Is residential care right for your loved one?
Skilled Nursing Facilities
For seniors who need more complex medical care and around-the-clock nursing oversight, skilled nursing facilities fit the bill. These communities are more clinical in nature, offering skilled nursing services such as wound management, intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, IV therapy, and complex condition management. Skilled services are considered medical services that can only be completed by licensed nurses.
Residents can stay at a skilled nursing facility either short-term or long-term. For those staying short-term, they may be able to offset costs with Medicare as long as they have had a 3 night qualifying hospital stay prior to admission. Short-term residents are typically at a skilled nursing facility to receive support and therapy in order to regain their strength to return home safely. Long-term residents are those that need skilled services all the time due to complex conditions or chronic pain.
​
Is skilled care right for your loved one?
Respite Care
Sometimes, family members need a break from caregiving duties. Respite care ensures an older adult receives the support and assistance they need to stay healthy and comfortable while their primary caregiver is away on a quick vacation, or work trip.
Many assisted living communities, residential care homes, memory care communities, and skilled nursing facilities offer respite stay programs. In these cases, seniors move in to experience all the perks of these communities, including around-the-clock caregiver assistance, for a designated amount of time.
Respite care is an excellent way to “test drive” senior living as well as to know that your loved one is getting all the support they need while you take a much-needed break.
Is respite care right for your loved one?