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Typically restricted to people who are 55 years or older, these communities offer residential living, usually in single-family homes, townhomes or condominiums, either for sale or for rent. Dining options, outdoor maintenance and other services might be included in the monthly fee, and the community could offer amenities such as a clubhouse, golf course and recreational spaces. Assistance with activities of daily living isn’t usually provided, but access or referral to nearby health care providers may be. Normally, residents have a choice to take advantage of available services or programs, which can include housekeeping, interior and exterior maintenance, transportation and social activities.
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Daily structured programs in a community setting with activities and health-related and rehabilitation services to seniors who are physically or emotionally disabled and need a protective environment. This care is provided during the day with the individual returning home for the evening.
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A special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs — both scheduled and unscheduled — of those who require help with daily activities. Many assisted living communities are freestanding and others are a part of a senior living campus offering other care levels. Often, assisted living includes memory support services within the same community. Assisted living and memory support communities generally don’t require entrance fees. Adults are directly admitted to the community and pay a monthly rental rate plus medication and other medically-related services.
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See Life Plan Community.
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A comprehensive range of programs and levels of care for seniors. As the health status of a senior changes the progression of care adjusts. Levels of care may include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and memory support.
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A one-time fee paid by a person moving into a senior living community. The entrance fee varies depending on the residence size and the number of people occupying that residence. Contracts vary widely, yet all or part of the entrance fee may be refundable to the resident or their estate when they leave the community. Entrance fees are common in many Life Plan Communities while some Rental Communities offer either low or no entrance fees.
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Provision of medical and nursing services in a person’s home by a licensed provider. Some in-home services may be covered by Medicare if the individual meets certain guidelines regarding a recent hospital stay.
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Philosophy and approach to providing comfort and care at life’s end. Hospice care can include medical, counseling and social services, and is provided in-home, in specialized hospitals or hospice care centers. Hospice coverage is available to qualified individuals by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance providers.
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A residential living setting for seniors who require minimal or no assistance. Hospitality and supportive services may or may not be provided. Independent living residences may be apartments or freestanding homes obtained either for an entrance fee or through a rental arrangement. A monthly fee for services and amenities may be applied.
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Life Plan Communities offer residents the benefits of a vital and socially active community along with access to on-site health care services, if and when those services are needed. Many services, amenities, maintenance and dining plans are covered by a monthly fee.
There are four basic types of contracts within Life Plan Communities — Type A, Type B, Type C and rental. Some communities offer only one type, while others provide options to choose from.
Type A Contract or Extensive Agreement
Communities with these agreements promise to care for residents for the rest of their lives, without significantly increasing their monthly fees. With a Type A contract, you may pay more initially, but your monthly fees are predictable and will remain the same even if your level of care increases.
Type B Contract or Modified Agreement
Communities with Type B contracts typically have slightly lower entrance fees and provide a discount rate for on-site health care services, if needed.
Type C Contract or Fee-for-Service Agreement
With a Type C contract, you only pay for care you need. Entrance fees and monthly fees are typically lower than other contract types, but if a higher level of care is needed, you pay full market rates.
Rental Contract
Rental Contracts are typically month-to-month contracts with no entrance fee to move into the community. A rental community may have a small community fee associated with the contract. As a resident’s needs change, they can transfer to increased levels of care as available within the community. The resident is not locked into any long-term contract and has the flexibility to move if necessary.
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Many senior living communities include specialized areas dedicated to residents needing care for Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia or cognitive impairment. Most memory care programs include innovative technologies and interventions that can help decrease the anxieties and difficulties related to dementia.
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The amount a senior living community charges its residents for the services and amenities associated with residency. This fee varies depending on the size of the residence and the number of occupants, as well as the level of service — independent, assisted, memory or skilled care — and amenities offered. Communities may adjust these fees on an annual basis.
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Therapeutic care for individuals requiring intensive physical, occupational or speech therapy, provided to restore them to a former capacity. Many communities that offer a continuum of care have rehabilitation services.
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Services that provide day-to-day caregivers with temporary relief from tasks associated with caregiving. These include in-home assistance, short stays at assisted living or memory care communities, or adult day care. In a senior living community setting, respite care refers to an arrangement whereby a senior stays at the community for a few days or weeks, perhaps to give their caregiver at home a break, or to experience the community’s accommodations, services and amenities on a trial basis.
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Skilled nursing is designed for individuals who require full-time care, or assistance with most, if not all, activities of daily living. Skilled nursing residences are licensed and offer medical care by trained medical staff, 24 hours a day. They may also include rehabilitation services, memory support services and other types of specialized care.