Senior Care Options: Exploring The Pros And Cons Of Independent Living Communities
The aging process can often make it far more difficult to complete many of the basic daily tasks you once took for granted. Thankfully, if you find that you require a bit more help as you go into your golden years, there are many different senior care options that can ensure you get the assistance you require. One of these options is an independent living community.
Independent living communities are different than many other senior care options in the fact that they allow residents to maintain their own private residence while still getting the daily assistance they require. Consequently, many seniors will find that these communities are the best place to receive the care they need. However, like all senior care options, independent living communities will not be right for everyone. Taking the time to consider both the pros and cons associated with this option will allow you to decide if independent living is right for you.
The Pros
There are several benefits that come along with choosing to move to an independent living community. These benefits include:
- Social Activities - Independent living communities typically offer a community center or clubhouse that is available to all residents. This central location provides residents with a way to easily socialize with their peers on a daily basis. Furthermore, this clubhouse will often be home to many social activities and events that are hosted by the community.
- Custom Care Levels - Independent living communities recognize that not all seniors will require the exact same level of care. Therefore, these communities will offer the ability for each resident to take advantage of only the services that they require.
- Promotes Independence - By allowing residents to move about freely, maintain their own residents, and limiting restrictions on visitation, independent living communities really encourage seniors to remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible.
The Cons
There are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of before choosing to move to an independent living community. These disadvantages include:
- Limited Insurance Coverage - Most medical insurance plans will not provide coverage for the services offered by an independent living community. This is because these services are often considered part of a senior's housing expenses rather than their medical expenses.
- Limited Medical Services - While many independent living communities will offer basic medical care, such as transportation to doctor's appointments and in-home care aides, the extent of these services will be quite limited. Therefore, these communities may not be the right place for seniors with serious medical conditions that require constant care.
For more information, contact companies like Kendal At Lexington.
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