Life after retirement often comes with a lot of changes. Our lifestyles, bodies, and needs can all change as we age. Sometimes, we need an extra hand.
Retirement homes are an option for older adults looking for more support in their day-to-day life. Moving into a retirement home can be overwhelming, so it can help to know what to expect.
What Is a Retirement Home?
A retirement home is a house or apartment designed for older adults, usually within a larger community curated to the needs of seniors. “Retirement home” is commonly used as an umbrella term when referring to any type of senior living community.
What makes a retirement home different from other communities and complexes is how and why it’s designed the way it is.
Some seniors can have mobility issues, memory disorders, or medical issues. Natural changes to our bodies and lifestyles as we age often coincide with the need to adapt our environment.
For example, senior living communities may install more elevators and ramps than stairs. Some communities have a security system for entrances and exits to prevent residents with memory disorders from wandering and getting lost. Bathrooms and bedrooms are usually more open and have additional supports, like bars and stools, for residents.
Types of Retirement Communities
Assisted Living
Assisted living means a person lives independently, but they have support for certain day-to-day tasks. The goal of assisted living is to allow older adults the freedom and decision-making power of living alone, but the comfort and confidence of getting help when they need it.
Assisted living is personalized to a person’s individual needs, preferences, and care. People in assisted living communities can enjoy a variety of support services, such as:
- Help bathing & dressing
- Managing personal hygiene
- Meal preparation
- Help getting dressed
- Assistance in the bathroom
- Monitoring medications
Effective assisted living should make daily life easier. Seniors in assisted living communities should feel comfortable with their support staff. With assisted living services, residents should be able to get around safely and enjoy time with family and friends.
These services may be right for someone who requires personal care and hospitality services, but are still able to make decisions for themselves.
Respite Care
Respite care is a specialized service that offers professional, medical care for a temporary period. Even though respite care is a temporary stay, guests will experience the community as if they were a full time resident.
Respite care is personalized to each person, providing services like:
- Weekly housekeeping
- Linen service
- Round the clock maintenance services
- Scheduled transportation services
- Basic cable and wifi
- Full service salon and barber shop
- Concierge services
- Emergency call system monitored 24 hours a day
Most communities provide these services as a basis, but additional care can be provided. Respite care is flexible because each person has different needs.
Respite care serves 3 main purposes:
- Providing an opportunity for potential residents to trial the community
- Providing the person’s caregiver a break
- Providing care after an injury or surgery
Staying in respite care is typically a similar experience to assisted living. You would receive care and support from a professional staff that’s personalized to your needs. You would also get access to the entire community and meet your potential future neighbours. And you’d get to experience the full fleet of services and amenities.
Optimal Living
Optimal living is a specialized care program in senior living communities. It’s designed to support residents live a fulfilling life by providing personalized care. This program is usually offered to any resident, new or existing.
The purpose of optimal living is to help people reach their health and wellness goals. Each resident will:
- Have the choice to work 1 on 1, with other residents in a group setting, or both
- Get expert help from a result-driven team
- Experience individualized programs and services
The programs are specially designed for people who struggle with certain health conditions, such as:
- Arthritis
- Joint Replacement
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Deconditioning
- Cerebrovascular Accident
- Cardiac
- Parkinson’s
Your experience in optimal living would be similar to assisted living in regard to the same services and amenities, but your day-to-day life would be more routine and have an added level of care. You would spend extra time working with your doctors, such as a physiologist or occupational therapist.
This can be a great experience for the level of personalized, the social experience, and getting to worry less about managing your health alone (because you shouldn’t have to).
What To Expect
Moving into a retirement community can be overwhelming. Great communities should feel like a different, but comforting home. Besides the comprehensive services, communities also offer amenities such as:
Every resident at Bentley Commons gains access to our premium community amenities, whatever their lifestyle. These high-quality services include:
- Library
- 24-hour staffing
- Full maintenance
- Concierge services
- Private dining room
- Fitness programs & full gym
- Housekeeping & linen services
- Accessible scheduled transportation
- Full-service hair salon & barber shop
A variety of amenities can make life a little easier and a lot more fun. There are almost always activities to do, time to enjoy hobbies, and socialize with new friends, old friends, and family.
Everyone’s experience is unique, but the level of care, friendliness of staff, and comfort should exceed expectations in the best way.
Is It Time to Consider a Retirement Community?
If you or someone you love is looking for an extra hand to manage their health and day-to-day activities, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about life at Bentley Commons in Bedford.
