The facts on your continuum of housing and care options.
It’s been said that two things in life are certain: death and taxes. But, a third ‘certainty’ we often hear is that ‘the old folks home’ is no place to end up. We can’t argue with the first two, but the third couldn’t be further from the truth today. Senior living now offers a continuum of housing and care designed to help you age successfully.
It’s time for a new perspective on senior living, along with a little help on navigating all the options for you or your loved one.
Understanding the Scope of Care
Independent Living
This lifestyle choice is designed for adults over the age of 55 who don’t require much daily assistance, but do want to enjoy a vibrant social community free of the hassles of chores and home upkeep. Independent living communities typically include apartments, townhouses or even single-family homes.
Residents may have access to services and amenities such as:
- Comfortable, spacious accommodations
- Restaurant-style dining
- Housekeeping and laundry service
- Exercise programs
- Concierge services
- Transportation
- Variety of social opportunities, activities and clubs
Assisted Living
Assisted Living is a lifestyle that provides housing, personalized care and support with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and medication management. The goal is to help you remain independent for as long as possible while also enjoying an engaging, purposeful life.
Care may be included in the monthly rental fee, or provided on an ala cart basis where you choose how much help you want and need.
Assisted Living services and amenities may include:
- Comfortable, spacious accommodations
- 24-hour supervision and security
- Daily meals
- Housekeeping and laundry service
- Exercise programs
- Transportation
- Access to medical services
- Variety of social opportunities and activities
Memory Care
Specifically catering to those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Memory Care is designed to nurture and support residents with 24-hour supervised care.
Memory Care typically offers structured activities and environments with secure areas to minimize wandering, as well as calming living spaces that are easy to navigate.
Residents may have access to amenities and services such as:
- Comfortable private or semi-private rooms
- Medical monitoring
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Emergency call systems
- Exercise programs
- Housekeeping and laundry service
- Social activities and programs
- Three daily meals
- Transportation
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. These communities typically have a licensed physician or nurse on site, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapists.
Skilled Nursing services and amenities may include:
- Comfortable private or semi-private rooms
- 24-hour care and assistance with activities of daily living
- Health monitoring and medication management
- Three daily meals
- Housekeeping and laundry service
- Exercise programs
- Social opportunities and activities
Home Health Care
This type of care assists older adults in living independently at home. It is often used when recovering from an illness or injury to help you regain your independence and become as self-sufficient as possible.
Home health care can include:
- Occupational, physical and/or speech therapy
- Skilled nursing
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Assistance with cooking, cleaning and housekeeping
- Coordination of care
Home health care can be provided on an hourly, as needed basis, or on a 24/7 live-in basis.
Hospice
Hospice care combines pain control, symptom management and emotional and spiritual support for terminally ill individuals. It is designed to assist the family and/or caregiver in making the patient as comfortable as possible with assistance available around the clock. Support is provided to the family as well.
The Hospice Care team typically includes:
- The patient and family/caregiver
- Doctor
- Nurses
- Home health aides
- Clergy or other spiritual counselors
- Social workers
Hospice Care is often provided in the patient’s home, but can also be offered in hospice centers, hospitals and skilled nursing communities.
Founded in 1998, Minnetonka, MN-based New Perspective is a family-owned company that develops, owns and operates 29 vibrant senior living communities under the New Perspective and Woodland Terrace brands in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. The company’s foundational belief — that all seniors deserve to Live Life on Purpose® and age with dignity — was forged from the personal experience of founder and chairman, Todd Novaczyk and his family. For seven years, they cared for his mother-in-law, Betty Berkeley, in their home as she struggled to maintain her strong, independent spirit while coping with Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more at NPSeniorLiving.com.
