Now that your mom or dad is getting older, you might be looking at retirement homes Ottawa and other residences that are designed for senior citizens. However, when shopping around, you might have found that there are actually a lot of different types of homes available for older people, and you could be unsure of which one is right for your parent. Once you understand the differences between retirement homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, however, it will be easier for you to make the decision.
Retirement Homes
As the name suggests, these residences are designed for retired individuals. In general, these communities do not actually offer a lot of “care.” Instead, they’re often more like apartment complexes or communities of houses that are designed for older people. Apartments and homes are often fairly small, which can be a good choice for an older person who wants to keep costs down and who doesn’t want to have to deal with as much cleaning as in a larger home. If your parent is still pretty independent and does not need much individualized medical attention but is looking to downsize, this can be a good option. Then, your loved one can live in a community that is filled with individuals in the same age group. Many of these communities also offer community pools, community centers and other things that older residents can enjoy.
Assisted Living Facilities
The next step up from a retirement community is often an assisted living facility. In many of these homes, residents have their own apartments, and they are often quite independent. However, there are generally staff members on-site who can assist with things like medication and bathing and who will pop in and check on your loved one on a daily basis. This can be a good option for seniors who are still pretty independent but who might need a little more help than what can be provided for them in a retirement community.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are generally designed for long term care for seniors who need a bit more help than what they can get in a retirement community or assisted living facility. Seniors in these communities generally do not have quite as much independence and may have serious health issues. There are even specific nursing homes for seniors who have certain problems, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
As you can see, there are some distinct differences between the various types of senior living homes that are out there. If you talk to your loved one’s doctor, you may be able to get some insight about the amount of care that your parent needs and what type of housing option might be best for him or her. For more information check out Sienna Living.
Image Credit: RetirementHomes
