SENIOR LIVING EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TOOLKIT
Misconceptions about senior living abound, not only among elected officials, but also in the general public. This collection of facts, ideas, and infographics can help you whenever you need to share solid information or help people understand what senior living really is. Feel free to copy any of these resources and use in letters, presentations, or handouts. Those who sign up for Argentum Advocates get access to the latest and updated tools and information.
THE BASICS OF SENIOR LIVING
• There are more than 30,000 communities in the United States with more than 1.3 million residents calling senior living home.
• Design of senior living residences vary. Many are like apartments, with kitchens, baths, and one or more bedrooms.
• The three basic types of senior living are independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Another type is the continuing care retirement community, which may offer nursing or hospice care as well; residents can change the way they live and type of home as their needs change.
• Senior independent living is much like living in a typical apartment or home.
• Assisted living is for older adults who need assistance with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, walking, or toileting. The average age of an assisted living resident is 85.
• Senior living residents may dine together for many or even all meals. Often, activity offerings are planned and led by professionals trained in working with older adults and tailored toward promoting well-being, socialization, purpose and meaning (such as volunteering or learning), and cognitive fitness.
• Communities might offer outdoor walking paths, a community garden, visiting physical therapists, nutritional counseling, natural light, indoor air quality control, wi-fi, and other features to improve well-being.
• Senior living is designed not just for care as needed, but to support well-being of all kinds. Congregate living provides socialization, volunteer, learning, and creative opportunities, and visitors and trips connect residents to the larger community and the world.
HOW IS SENIOR LIVING DIFFERENT FROM NURSING HOMES?
• Senior living is largely private pay, while many nursing homes receive government funding or support.
• Senior living serves residents and families at a cost of less than half of what nursing homes charge, making senior living a good option for folks who don’t need around-the- clock medical care.
• Senior living also offers choice for older adults and their families—locations, services, and more.
• Senior living communities offer elevated safety features that choice and dignity—such as infection prevention and control, security devices, and design for different abilities.
• Those who choose senior living and their families report satisfaction rates of more than 90 percent.
WORDS MATTER
Officials, media, and political ads and literature can often incorrectly portray older adults and senior living. You can help prevent ageism and ableism with reminders like these: • Older adults in senior living often consider their residence to be their community and their home—not a “facility.”
• Older adults with disabilities who require help with clothing, walking, or toileting, or who need memory care and cognitive support, are often capable, independent, and engaged in many ways. Older people are no more defined by their disabilities than are younger people.
• Senior living residents, their families and loved ones, and the employees often care greatly about and can be strongly affected by the decisions officials make.
• Learning about senior living is important to serving these constituencies. Whether it’s live or virtual, a visit offers encounters with extraordinary people—and a chance to hear what these constituents need.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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