The Modern Age of Senior Living
MORNINGSTAR SENIOR LIVING | March 02
In the modern age of senior living, people live longer and stay healthier than in any century past.
In the modern age of senior living, people live longer and stay healthier than in any century past. And as Baby Boomers join the mix, the number of seniors in this country will grow exponentially. In 2020 there were 60 million American residents aged 55+. In 2055 that number will be over 90 million. The age of those over 85 will more than double. For ages 75-84, it triples.
Driven by this reality, Senior Living has become a growing phenomenon, a shifting paradigm unto itself. Add to that a free market society of supply and demand filled with creative solutions, and America’s retirement options become brighter and wider than ever before in history.
Next on the continuum is Independent Living, commonly called Retirement Communities.
This option is for active seniors who want maximum independence yet seek social and mental stimulation, security and minimal personal assistance in a maintenance-free environment.
Here you will find a strong emphasis on continuing education and wellness. Onsite amenities may include such active offerings as a large fitness center, swimming pool, and a ballroom. However, it’s rare for care or medical services to be provided in-house.
Home health agencies serve aging seniors within a private home or an Independent, Assisted Living, or Memory Care community by offering personal care above and beyond what the community’s staff provide.
Medicare will cover either part-time or intermittent Home Health Care, such as Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy.
In the late 1980s, our culture realized that the “nursing home on the hill” was often a dour choice. Institutional. Depressing. No real home at all. We also realized many seniors didn’t require a nurse, just a little help with daily living. Our nation’s seniors deserved not only to survive but thrive amid fine dining, libraries, fitness centers, and creative programming.
Built on a European social model, Assisted Living is a relatively new concept in wellness and engagement. Governed by state regulatory agencies, it gives seniors an option to live in a high-quality residential environment while being given protective oversight and having access to personal assistance.
Activities of Daily Living
Residents can live independently, knowing help is available if needed in the future. Senior Communities can offer assisted living exclusively or offer a combination of lifestyle options, including short-term respite stays and adult day programs.
Basic Activities of Daily Living
A specialized type of Assisted Living is Memory Care for seniors needing specialized care for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Today 5.4 million people have Alzheimer’s disease, up 47% from 2000; that’s one in eight seniors. Every 68 seconds in the US, someone is diagnosed. 60% of those residents with dementia will wander (statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association).
In response, many Assisted Living communities offer secure environments to safeguard those with memory impairment.
When is Assisted Living the best option? If your loved one:
When is it time for Assisted Living?
There was a time when this was the only offering on the senior living continuum. Services here are offered in the context of a skilled nursing facility, also called a “SNF” or “nursing home.” Care is delivered 24/7 in a clinical model supervised by a Registered Nurse within more of a hospital-like environment.
The focus is on medical care with 24-hour nursing provided. Resident stays could be short-term (sub-acute care or rehabilitative after a hospital stay) or traditional long-term nursing care.
Skilled Nursing Facilities are federally regulated and commonly government-subsidized through Medicare and Medicaid.
At MorningStar, we recognize the value of the seniors in our lives. To both the world and their families, seniors have so much to offer, and we desire to be there to facilitate these relationships. If you are an adult child helping your senior parent in the transitions of retirement, please consult our curated Decision Guide in how best to take the next steps for your entire family’s well-being.
Driven by this reality, Senior Living has become a growing phenomenon, a shifting paradigm unto itself. Add to that a free market society of supply and demand filled with creative solutions, and America’s retirement options become brighter and wider than ever before in history.
A Closer Look at Senior Living Options:
55+ Living
- For people 55 years and older with no (or grown) children
- These expansive campuses or neighborhoods typically offer patio homes or condos for rent or purchase
- Might have common spaces (clubhouse) for all to enjoy
- No structured programs typically
Independent Living
Next on the continuum is Independent Living, commonly called Retirement Communities.
This option is for active seniors who want maximum independence yet seek social and mental stimulation, security and minimal personal assistance in a maintenance-free environment.
- Rental and buy-in communities (“buy-in” is typically a large entrance fee that guarantees the right to live in the community for life)
- Full meal plans
- Housekeeping
- Transportation options
- Social, physical, intellectual, spiritual programs
Here you will find a strong emphasis on continuing education and wellness. Onsite amenities may include such active offerings as a large fitness center, swimming pool, and a ballroom. However, it’s rare for care or medical services to be provided in-house.
Home Health
Home health agencies serve aging seniors within a private home or an Independent, Assisted Living, or Memory Care community by offering personal care above and beyond what the community’s staff provide.
- For seniors needing some assistance with ADLs
- Non-medical home support: shopping, meal preparation, driving errands, and light housekeeping
Medicare will cover either part-time or intermittent Home Health Care, such as Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy.
Assisted Living
In the late 1980s, our culture realized that the “nursing home on the hill” was often a dour choice. Institutional. Depressing. No real home at all. We also realized many seniors didn’t require a nurse, just a little help with daily living. Our nation’s seniors deserved not only to survive but thrive amid fine dining, libraries, fitness centers, and creative programming.
Built on a European social model, Assisted Living is a relatively new concept in wellness and engagement. Governed by state regulatory agencies, it gives seniors an option to live in a high-quality residential environment while being given protective oversight and having access to personal assistance.
Activities of Daily Living
Residents can live independently, knowing help is available if needed in the future. Senior Communities can offer assisted living exclusively or offer a combination of lifestyle options, including short-term respite stays and adult day programs.
- High priority on independence, dignity, and choice
- Protective oversight
- Assist with bathing, dressing, medication management
- Meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and activities
- Supportive services, based on individual needs, given by 24/7 care staff
- Some of these communities offer Respite (short- term stays) & Day Programs
Basic Activities of Daily Living
- Personal hygiene and grooming
- Dressing and undressing
- Assistance with dining
- Transferring (bed, wheelchair, toilet, etc.)
- Continence management
- Ambulation
- Medication management Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
- House cleaning and upkeep
- Managing money
- Shopping for groceries or clothing
- Use of telephone or other forms of communication
- Using technology
- Managing one’s transportation needs
Memory Care
A specialized type of Assisted Living is Memory Care for seniors needing specialized care for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Today 5.4 million people have Alzheimer’s disease, up 47% from 2000; that’s one in eight seniors. Every 68 seconds in the US, someone is diagnosed. 60% of those residents with dementia will wander (statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association).
In response, many Assisted Living communities offer secure environments to safeguard those with memory impairment.
- Design-built secure residential environment
- Purposeful and meaningful activities
- A smaller environment with higher staffing ratios compared to Assisted Living
- Sensory (auditory and visual) cues to calm and awaken memories
- Therapeutic approaches to care
When is Assisted Living the best option? If your loved one:
- Needs more personal care services than they can get at home (or if that home health is getting
to be too expensive) - Needs more care than is available in an independent living community
- Doesn’t need round-the-clock medical care and supervision
When is it time for Assisted Living?
- Safety: Have there been falls? Any driving mishaps? Bruises or cuts they don’t want you to notice?
- Health: Struggling with failing eyesight? Poor balance? Forgetfulness? Confusion?
- Hygiene: Wearing the same clothes over and over again? (Personal bathing or laundry might be becoming too difficult.)
- Housekeeping: Dishes getting washed? Home looking less tidy than in the past?
- Meals: Losing weight, not getting to the grocery or spoiled food in the refrigerator? (Signs that meal prep is becoming harder, and that mental disturbance is interrupting a good diet.)
- Social Life: Circle of friends diminishing? (Being alone too much is a recipe for depression and other health-related problems.)
Skilled Nursing Facilities
There was a time when this was the only offering on the senior living continuum. Services here are offered in the context of a skilled nursing facility, also called a “SNF” or “nursing home.” Care is delivered 24/7 in a clinical model supervised by a Registered Nurse within more of a hospital-like environment.
The focus is on medical care with 24-hour nursing provided. Resident stays could be short-term (sub-acute care or rehabilitative after a hospital stay) or traditional long-term nursing care.
Skilled Nursing Facilities are federally regulated and commonly government-subsidized through Medicare and Medicaid.
At MorningStar, we recognize the value of the seniors in our lives. To both the world and their families, seniors have so much to offer, and we desire to be there to facilitate these relationships. If you are an adult child helping your senior parent in the transitions of retirement, please consult our curated Decision Guide in how best to take the next steps for your entire family’s well-being.