Assessing the Needs for Transition 

Choosing is about lifestyle & need

 70+ % of Seniors will require some form of care

 It’s important to make informed decisions in a timely manner.

There are many practical and emotional factors involved in making a life style transition to a senior community.  It is important to make this decision as soon as it evident that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to manage in your current situation.  This will ensure more objective and realistic decisions are made to meet immediate and future needs.

One way to measure the level of care seniors need is through charting ADLs, which are:

 Activities of Daily Living. Six main categories:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Toileting (going to the bathroom)
• Transferring (the ability to get in and out of bed)
• Continence (being to control your bowels)
• Feeding

 There are other types of more broad activities that are gauged to get a deeper understanding of the type of care a senior may need. These activities are called IADLs, or instrumental activities of daily living.

These include:

• Paying the bills
• Cleaning the house
• Cooking meals
• Being able to transport outside of the house
• Socializing 

Outside of understanding exactly what ADLs and IADLs are and how important they are to senior care, there are general warning signs and hints that it may be time.

 Some signs that may indicate it’s time for professional help:

• Worsening Medical Conditions – (Managing medications)
• Monetary Issues
• Isolation
• Messy Living Space
• Poor Hygiene and Frailty

Other benefits to moving to a Senior Community are:

1. No upkeep, no maintenance.  

 Surrounds you with similar people to your situation, and comes with added perks like clubs and activities, pools and fitness centers, restaurant-style dining options, and in-house medical care.

 2. Types of senior communities

 Independent Living Retirement Communities - When staying at home is no longer desirable, moving to a senior community is a timeless popular option.

Assisted Living - Communities that provide help with activities of daily living (ADL’s / IADL’s), like dressing, bathing, etc., but not a lot of medical assistance.

Memory Care - Usually part of a community specifically for people with dementia. They have a higher number of skilled staff for more supervision, and include security to prevent unsupervised wandering outside

Continuing-care (CCRC) - They include several types of housing options. CCRCs vary, having independent living apartments, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes all on the same property. Residents can move from one area to another as their needs change