The Benefits of an Assisted Living Continuum of Care

While exploring the many, diverse senior living and care options available, you’re likely encountering new and confusing lingo that leaves you feeling out of the loop. Does the term “continuum of care” have you scratching your head? Wonder no more. Below, we’ll fill you in on what a continuum community for seniors can offer, and help you understand whether or not one could be appropriate for your aging journey.

Defining a Senior Living Continuum of Care

Simply put, a senior living community offering a continuum of care provides its residents with a welcoming home and specialized support designed for older adults. It enables them to stay in one location for as long as they can while accommodating their changing needs. Throughout the stages of the aging process, residents can choose the level of assistance they require.

Typically, residents buy into a senior continuum community with a down payment and pay a monthly fee going forward. This might give them access to a combination of independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. Sometimes, they are referred to as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) or Life Plan Communities.

Gracefully Aging in Place in Assisted Living

Of course, lots of older adults cherish their family home and wish to age in place there. However, the unfortunate reality is that a number of changing circumstances – physical, mental, emotional and logistical – could suddenly make this option difficult, or even impossible. It adds preventable stress and burdens on the part of both the senior and their loved ones.

In some senior living communities , such as those created by Stoney Brook, residents decide to move in when they’re looking for more help with daily living activities or routines. By transitioning to assisted living, they can experience the joys of a vibrant lifestyle, but without many of the hassles and hazards that come with living alone or managing a home.

Assisted living residents can enjoy a downsized, accessible and cozy home they’ve made their own. Even better, they can take advantage of an array of services that allow them to let go of household maintenance and chores they (and their loved ones) find exhausting, time-wasting and risky. Instead, an assisted living care team covers the fixing, cleaning, cooking, landscaping, driving and more. When necessary, they help residents with regular tasks like showering, getting dressed, personal care, using the restroom, and managing medication.

Peep the Perks of a Senior Continuum Community

• A senior living community providing a continuum of care should include significant benefits that can be customized to the individual and their age-related changes. Ideally, they encompass: Amenities and activities 
• that give them opportunities to gather with others and strengthen long-term relationships. Human connection is paramount to total wellness, and staying with the same friends and caregivers as needs shift fosters incredible advantages and a feeling of true belonging.
• The relief of knowing that safety and security are a top priority. With 24/7 onsite care and supervision and measures such as emergency response pendants and call systems, there’s always help nearby.
• A focus on nutrition and exercise that further ensures ways to socialize. The culinary program should feature nourishing, balanced meals that meet evolving dietary needs. Encouraging, daily fitness opportunities should promote an active lifestyle and contribute to senior health, increasing strength and mobility, preventing falls and more.
• Streamlined, more manageable bill payment, due to consolidated utilities, household expenses and some health care costs.
• The relief of knowing that safety and security are a top priority. With 24/7 onsite care and supervision and measures such as emergency response pendants and call systems, there’s always help nearby.
• A focus on nutrition and exercise that further ensures ways to socialize. The culinary program should feature nourishing, balanced meals that meet evolving dietary needs. Encouraging, daily fitness opportunities should promote an active lifestyle and contribute to senior health, increasing strength and mobility, preventing falls and more.
• Streamlined, more manageable bill payment, due to consolidated utilities, household expenses and some health care costs.
• The relief of knowing that safety and security are a top priority. With 24/7 onsite care and supervision and measures such as emergency response pendants and call systems, there’s always help nearby.
• A focus on nutrition and exercise that further ensures ways to socialize. The culinary program should feature nourishing, balanced meals that meet evolving dietary needs. Encouraging, daily fitness opportunities should promote an active lifestyle and contribute to senior health, increasing strength and mobility, preventing falls and more
• Streamlined, more manageable bill payment, due to consolidated utilities, household expenses and some health care costs.

A More Comforting Move into Memory Care

If Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or another form of memory loss is a concern, or you just want to be prepared for the possibility, look for an assisted living community with an onsite memory care neighborhood to allow for a more seamless transition into this stage – in a familiar space and among friendly faces.

In a knowledgeable memory care community, residents benefit from specialized recreation and activities, brain health fitness programming and behavioral support. They and their loved ones appreciate the added peace of mind that comes with the extra safety precautions, including wander protection, secured doors and entryways, and increased staffing and security.