CHOOSING A SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

As seniors age, their medical needs and daily activity needs increase as well. In my practice, we often see seniors that were independent and living in their homes have medical issues that require more help, support, and medical care. Fortunately, there are wonderful senior living communities with an array of services on-site to choose from. Sometimes navigating all the options and choices can be very stressful to families dealing with their aging loved one.

There are various types of senior living care levels. These include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Nursing Homes or Skilled Care. Each provides a different level of service and care. Independent living is basically an apartment, rented by an individual or couple, with no additional health care services. Other on-site services like dining, laundry, and activities may be available but this can vary from one community to the next. All medication needs, doctor appointments, testing, and services are the responsibility of the senior to figure out.

Assisted Living includes levels of nursing care, CNA (certified nursing assistant) support, and medication management. Ask about staff to resident ratios, hospitalization rates, and other available services such as physical therapy. Memory Care is typically assisted living support level, in a secured or locked area of the community. This is to prevent residents from accidentally leaving due to cognition issues or decline. Nursing homes are typically reserved for the highest level of care needed. This includes treatments like IV antibiotics, tracheostomy care, chronic large wounds, and post-surgical therapy. Many patients use nursing home skilled care for short-term medical needs. There are long-term residents of nursing homes as well, that reside there on a full-time basis.

At Hansa Medical Groupe, we provide a preventative care model at the assisted living, memory care, and nursing home levels. However, we also provide care for independent living seniors as well and that is gaining popularity. It has made health care convenient by bringing our services to the senior, preventing many common issues like falls, and keeping folks independent longer. We have reduced ER visits and hospitalizations by up to 60 percent in buildings we currently service.

Shopping for your aging loved one for a place to live can be challenging. It’s also stressful relocating from a home they have loved and lived in most their lives to a smaller condo or apartment. Most families prefer a location close by to easily visit and within their budget. However, there are many other factors and services to consider. Visiting various communities is key to making the final decision. Factor in the ancillary services, food quality, activity programs, and in my opinion most importantly the medical care available on site.

Hansa Medical Groupe has offices at 5250 Old Orchard Road, Suite 300, in Skokie, and in Chicago, 847-920-0902, hansamedicalgroupe.com.