Wondering what type of care you will find in CCRCs – Continuing Care Retirement Communities? Here’s a closer look at what is included with assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, as well as how having access to all care levels in a CCRC can free you to truly savor every moment of life today.
Levels of care in CCRCs: what to expect
Assisted living
Assisted living is an opportunity to enjoy the things that make you happy without having to stop and take care of home maintenance or everyday chores. That’s because it’s all taken care of for you: tasks like housekeeping, food preparation, scheduled transportation to medical appointments, and more.
In assisted living, you receive the support you desire; either an occasional helping hand, or more focused assistance with the activities of daily living (dressing, grooming, medication management, bathing, and so on).
The goal of assisted living is to help you maintain your independence as much as possible. Just knowing someone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week boosts your mood and can inspire you to try new hobbies, make new friends, and explore your newfound freedom.
In addition, assisted living in CCRCs such as St. Mark Village gives you access to an extraordinary array of amenities, such as fitness and wellness programs, a pool and spa, card and game rooms, resident gardens and more. Residents fill their days with activities, friends, and the comfort that comes with feeling part of a caring family.
Download our free guide: Financial Planning Guide to Retirement Living at a Life Plan Community
Memory care
Memory care provides a safe, nurturing and comfortable environment for loved ones who are dealing with cognitive impairment. CCRCs offering memory care are dedicated to honoring the dignity and preferences of each individual; taking the time to get to know their likes and dislikes and helping create an environment that supports their needs. Specially trained staff consult with family to ensure that experiences are familiar and reassuring.
Routines are created that both soothe and inspire. The importance of routine and familiarity to persons with dementia is profound. This is because having daily structure can help decrease the aggression, restlessness and agitation that can intensify as a person goes through the later stages of the disease. It also helps the caregiver offer better care.
In addition, CCRCs often offer programs that help support family and friends through the Alzheimer’s disease or dementia journey. Support group members can encourage one another, share insight and discuss mutual concerns.
At Michael Bilirakis Memory Care at St. Mark Village, it’s about more than 24-hour care and support for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia. It’s helping each memory care resident maximize their capabilities so they can have a satisfying sense of achievement.
Skilled nursing
Skilled nursing is for older adults who require 24-hour supervised care, such as those with cardiac or respiratory diseases, or those recovering from serious injury. CCRCs with skilled nursing typically have a licensed physician or nurse on site, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapists who work together to help provide the best possible outcome for each individual. Such health monitoring is an important benefit of skilled nursing in today’s CCRCs.
In addition, older adults receiving skilled nursing in CCRCs benefit from a vibrant atmosphere that offers multiple opportunities for social engagement and connection. This can include group activities, special events, outdoor areas for visiting with family and friends, holiday celebrations, and more.
At St. Mark Village, our Village Skilled Nursing Care Center—recipient of both a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and a Bronze Commitment to Quality Award for dedication to improving the lives of our residents through quality care—is an excellent choice.
A CCRC might be the right choice for you or an older loved one
At St. Mark Village, we don’t want our residents to worry about anything. And that includes future health care needs.
That’s why, in addition to independent living, we offer a continuum of care in our care centers—assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation—so that should your needs change, assistance will be available right here, from people you know, where you already feel at home. It gives you seamless access to future care options.
Retire without worry. Download our free guide, Financial Planning Guide to Retirement Living at a Life Plan Community, or contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
