| America's baby boomers are rapidly approaching | | | | A continuing care retirement community offers a |
| retirement age and many of their children are faced | | | | great blend of independent living, peer socialization, |
| with making living arrangements for them. As the | | | | and nursing care when needed. These retirement |
| children grow up and leave home, seniors are faced | | | | communities house a large number of senior citizens |
| with living in an empty home completely alone. Living | | | | and many cater to a senior's every wish. These small |
| alone also means that seniors are responsible for any | | | | towns or villages are full of private homes and |
| necessary home repairs and they may be hesitant to | | | | apartments which allow the seniors to maintain their |
| ask for help so not to burden their family and friends. | | | | independence, while providing valuable services like |
| Instead of staying alone, seniors can live in one of | | | | garden work and maintenance on the spot. Seniors |
| the many types of retirement communities and take | | | | can live without worry and simply enjoy their |
| advantage of the companionship and worry free | | | | retirement years. |
| living these communities provide. | | | | A retirement community usually will have activities like |
| 55+ Communities | | | | day trips, parties and golf tournaments for residents |
| Seniors age 55 and older are eligible to live in a 55+ | | | | and their families. Many also offer full service dining |
| community. The exceptions to the 55+ rule are | | | | rooms, on site libraries, walking trails and fitness areas |
| residents' spouses. Adult children younger than 55 and | | | | with full size pools and rows of fitness equipment. |
| grandchildren are allowed to visit, but there are likely | | | | Seniors who live in a retirement community do live |
| restrictions on how long they can stay and how | | | | independently, but have the added resource and |
| often residents may have visitors. Many of these | | | | peace of mind that a nurse on staff provides. These |
| communities are found in warm weather climates, | | | | nurses can administer varying levels of care either in |
| such as Florida, California and the southwestern | | | | the senior's own home or in the community's medical |
| states. | | | | facility as needed. Nursing assistants are also available |
| 55+ communities typically offer activities for | | | | to assist with personal care, hand out medications or |
| residents and many have a community clubhouse for | | | | just listen to a senior's questions and concerns. |
| activities. Other amenities can include golf courses, | | | | One of the major advantages of a retirement |
| marinas, tennis courts and other activities. These | | | | community is that seniors can maintain their |
| communities do not offer medical care on site and | | | | independence, while still having the safety net of a |
| may be remotely located because of their sprawling | | | | medical staff nearby. Residents are able to live their |
| grounds. | | | | own lives and keep their cars, while their families |
| Assisted Living Facility | | | | have the peace of mind knowing someone is close |
| Seniors who aren't quite able to live on their own, but | | | | by in case of an emergency. |
| don't require full time nursing home care are a good | | | | Seniors don't need to give up their independence just |
| match for an assisted living facility. Seniors in these | | | | because they're getting older. Some options for |
| facilities might require help with everyday actions | | | | seniors and their families are a 55+ community, |
| such as eating, dressing, laundry and cleaning. The | | | | assisted living facility and a continuing care retirement |
| nursing staff can also hand out medication, something | | | | community. Whichever you choose depends on your |
| that can be a great help if the senior takes multiple | | | | parents' needs, but you can rest easy knowing |
| medications every day. | | | | you're allowing them to enjoy their retirement in style |
| Continuing Care Retirement Community | | | | and comfort. |