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What Is Senior Living?

January 24, 2025
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As you age, choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

You could stay in your house and age in place, but the “stairs and repairs” that come with homeownership are difficult to manage and can consume your time, energy, and money.

You could move to a 55-plus community, but if your health declines, you will likely have to make another move in the future to get the care you need.

For these reasons, more seniors are downsizing and moving to the senior living option that best meets their needs: independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing. Each one provides the appropriate level of support to optimize your quality of life. There are also continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that offer a mix or even all these options on a single campus.

So, which senior living option is right for you? Here are some general guidelines:

  • If you’re in relatively good health, an independent living community that offers maintenance-free residences and lots of amenities is ideal.
  • If you need assistance with daily tasks, if you experience chronic health conditions, or if you have memory issues, a community that provides a variety of assisted living choices can be the right fit.

Whether a move is imminent or years away, this article will help you make an informed decision about what’s best for you.

Defining Senior Living

Senior living covers a number of living options:

  1. Independent living is designed for seniors who are physically active and successfully managing their health conditions. You’ll enjoy worry-free living and an array of amenities, activities, clubs, fitness classes, dining options, and more.
  2. Assisted living is ideal for seniors who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, medication management, and preparing for bed. You can tailor those services to your particular needs.
  3. Memory care provides more intensive support and supervision for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of cognitive impairment.
  4. Skilled nursing is for those whose chronic medical conditions require the highest level of care outside of a hospital. Medical professionals at the community dispense medications, supervise and evaluate treatments, and coordinate care with outside providers.

While some senior living communities offer only one or two of these options, Erickson Senior Living’s CCRCs offer all of these levels of care. This means that you’ll have access to appropriate care from qualified professionals if your health needs change in the future, providing peace of mind to you and your family members.

At Linden Ponds in Hingham, MA, resident Nancy B. says, “Although I’m quite healthy, I knew I needed to look ahead and consider where I wanted to live in the future. And I knew I only wanted to move once!”

Independent Living 

If you’re an active, social senior looking for a vibrant, worry-free lifestyle, independent living at an Erickson Senior Living community may be ideal for you.

You’ll find a variety of maintenance-free floor plans, many with outdoor living spaces. One call to the general services team takes care of any repairs needed inside your residence, and the grounds are meticulously landscaped by a professional crew.

All buildings are connected by climate-controlled walkways, so inclement weather is never a problem. Amenities like fitness centers, pickleball courts, game rooms, performance spaces, salons, art studios, and multiple restaurants are just a short, indoor walk away.

“We wanted a pleasant place to live where we had minimal responsibilities and maximum opportunities for personal growth—physical, mental, intellectual, and social. Riderwood has surpassed our expectations,” says Dick H., a resident of the Erickson Senior Living community in Silver Spring, MD.

Independent living offers a number of significant benefits. With maintenance taken care of, you’re free to pursue hobbies and explore new interests in your free time. And thanks to the array of amenities, there’s plenty of opportunities to socialize and stay active. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing that additional care is available, if needed.

Assisted Living

People who want to maintain their independence but need assistance with some daily tasks find that assisted living at an Erickson Senior Living community provides the right balance. You’re free to enjoy all of the amenities and activities of independent living, with the support you need to maintain your overall well-being.

Most people who choose assisted living receive help in the morning with bathing, dressing, medications, and light housekeeping, and in the evening, preparing for bed.

Assisted living offers you the privacy of your own residence with ample opportunities to socialize and participate in activities. Services can be tailored to meet your specific needs, and support from professionals is always available.

Memory Care

For seniors experiencing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive challenges, memory care provides a supportive, secure environment with activities and therapies that engage and stimulate residents’ cognitive function.
Residences are smaller and meals are enjoyed in a communal setting to promote interaction. The staff is specially trained in memory care, and the facilities are designed to reduce residents’ confusion and create a sense of well-being.

This type of assisted living has several key benefits. Residents receive personalized attention and specialized care to maximize their engagement, and their family members gain peace of mind, knowing that they are well cared for and safe.

Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing offers the most comprehensive medical care outside of a hospital. Residents receive round-the-clock services from physicians, nurses, and certified nursing assistants with expertise in managing chronic health conditions.

In addition to ongoing medical care, skilled nursing provides a variety of short-term rehabilitation services following a surgery or hospitalization. These can include speech, occupational, and/or physical therapy, depending on the condition. Once sufficient progress is made, residents return home and may continue with follow-up home care.  
While you may never need this advanced level of care, it’s reassuring to know it’s available.

“Not only do we appreciate the security of the on-site medical center and continuing care neighborhood, our daughters tell us that our move gives them peace of mind, and I feel the same way,” says Betty W. G., a resident of Ashby Ponds in Ashburn, VA.

CCRCs

CCRCs are designed to help you preserve your independence, enjoy an active lifestyle, and, when needed, move to a higher level of care without leaving the campus.

As CCRCs, Erickson Senior Living communities offer the full range of senior living options. One move to an Erickson community ensures that most of your health care needs will be met right on campus. Plus, our professional medical teams can guide you through every transition.

There’s also an important financial distinction with Erickson Senior Living. We believe that you should not pay for higher levels of care until you need them, so there is no pre-payment for services you might never use. Other CCRCs charge for these services, and this can be a critical factor in deciding which community is right for your lifestyle and budget.

John C., a resident of Windsor Run in Matthews, NC, agrees that the company you choose matters. “Confidence in the quality of Erickson Senior Living as an organization was one of the first influences for us in choosing a retirement community,” he says.

Choosing the Right Senior Living Option

When researching your senior living options, the first and most important step is to honestly assess your needs and abilities. Are you independent and looking for a vibrant, worry-free lifestyle filled with amenities and socializing? Do you need some assistance with activities of daily living? Or do your current health issues require a higher level of medical support?

You’ll also want to compare locations, costs, amenities and services, medical care, campus security, and the reputation of the community’s management. You want to be sure that you and your retirement savings are in good hands and that the quality and variety of services you expect will be maintained.

Once you determine which senior living option is right for you, tour the communities that interest you. Take a close look at the assisted living building(s) and medical care on campus. And be sure to ask current residents about their experience—they can provide a firsthand assessment of what daily life on campus is really like.

Making an Informed Decision

Choosing a senior living option is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make, so take your time and carefully review your choices.

There are many reasons to choose a CCRC like Erickson Senior Living:

  • We offer every type of senior living: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
  • You’ll have access to the level of care that’s right for you, now and in the future.
  • We do not require pre-payment for higher levels of care, and you don’t pay for them until you use them.
  • Erickson Senior Living is an industry leader with more than 40 years of experience successfully managing senior communities.
  • You can feel confident that your retirement savings and your health will be well cared for.

If you’d like to learn more about Erickson Senior Living, request a brochure now. Or, find a community near you to speak with a knowledgeable team member about what’s best for you or a loved one.

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