FALL 2016 Retirement Guide Glossary
As you begin your research into retirement communities that meet your needs, you will encounter some unique terminology. The following guide briefly defines frequently used phrases in retirement-community literature; some of these terms appear in the Fall 2016 Community Source, page 93. Disclaimer: These are broad definitions. Individual communities might interpret these terms differently. Contact a community for its specific definition.
55-PLUS COMMUNITIES allow seniors to live among those who are in the same age range. Members of these communities may be retired or not yet retired, and they generally live active lifestyles. Living in a 55-plus community gives residents access to many amenities, such as recreational facilities, activity centers, and golf courses.
ACTIVE ADULTS/ACTIVE SENIORS are those 55 and older who are still healthy enough to enjoy independent lifestyles filled with physical, as well as social, activities. These seniors might elect to live in active-adult communities where they can socialize with other active seniors, play sports, and receive any health care services they need.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CARE AND DEMENTIA CARE can be too compli- cated and time-consuming for family members to tackle alone, so patients often are admitted into nursing homes or assisted-living facilities for care. Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more than 5 million people nationwide, is the most common form of dementia. Treatment for dementia includes helping patients with their daily needs, like dressing and bathing, as well as scheduling regular activities patients will enjoy (e.g., gardening, painting, and going for walks).
ASSISTED LIVING allows seniors to get the help they need with day-to-day activi- ties while still maintaining some independence. These facilities offer residents help with daily activities such as grooming, getting dressed, bathing, using the restroom, and taking prescribed medications. Assisted-living facilities are not for those who need more complicated and extensive attention, e.g., full-time nursing care. Assisted living also has a social component, as residents can socialize during meal times and other activities without having to leave the facility.
CARF-CCAC ACCREDITATION is issued by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC), an organization that is part of the Commission on Accredi- tation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), to facilities that provide services for the aging. Facilities that are eligible to receive CARF-CCAC accreditation include assisted-living centers, continuing-care retirement communities, aging services networks, and nursing homes. To qualify for CARF-CCAC accreditation, a health care facility must demon-
strate it is committed to providing quality care to seniors. During the accreditation process, facility owners must fill out a survey, allow CARF-CCAC representatives to observe the operations of the facility, and undergo an organizational review. In addition, the CARF-CCAC will interview a facility’s staff and patients and the fam- ily members of patients to determine the quality of care patients receive. CARF- CCAC makes its accreditation decisions based on the standards developed by a team of service providers, consumers, and policy makers. More than 6,000 facili- ties are accredited by CARF-CCAC.
CCRCs, or continuing-care retirement communities, deliver several levels of care on one campus. These communities are made up of apartments that can be oc- cupied by independent-living residents, as well as those who need assisted-living, skilled-nursing, or memory-care services.
THE CONTINUUM OF CARE is a philosophy that allows patients to receive health care at different levels of intensity within a single community, typically a CCRC.
86 MILITARY OFFICER SEPTEMBER 2016
her own health with the help of 24-7 caregivers to watch after them both. “I liked the assurance of knowing I had people around who would notice I wasn’t around and check in on me,” says Chief Warrant Officer Bill Hay, USMC (Ret), of his decision to move
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
each others’ names, many special- ized senior communities cater to peoples’ desires to be with others who share their former professions, ethnic backgrounds, religious pref- erences, or hobbies (such as motor- cycling or RVing). To broaden your cultural ex-
periences. At Teischer’s residence, New Mexico’s mix of cultures is ev- ident in a daily menu that includes chile rellenos (deep-fried green chiles and cheese) prepared by a chef from Mexico, Cinco de Mayo celebrations with authentic maria- chi singers, and staff and residents from many cultures. To keep learning and cheering. About 100 retirement communities have direct ties with nearby uni- versities, providing the intellectual stimulation, sports connections, and cultural opportunities that come with college life. To prepare for the unexpected.
Most couples don’t age — or become disabled — at the same time or at the same rate. When one partner requires a greater level of care, a CCRC permits a healthy partner to protect his or
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