Are you thinking of long-term care or a senior living community? Whether it’s for you or your loved one, it can be a little confusing. There are so many types. Each offer different kinds of amenities and services.  Knowing you or your loved one’s specific needs is the first step. Learning the basics of senior care communities will inform your life choices as you age.

This Next Avenue article helps you understand the basics of senior care communities a little better. Consider the services offered. On one hand, independent living communities can offer very few services. It could be simply housekeeping, meals, or planned social activities.

On the opposite end are skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes. These specialized care facilities have around the clock medical care. It may be temporary after a hospital stay. Or you may need a higher level of care than an assisted living could provide.

In the middle are assisted living communities. These offer different levels of care. If you need assistance with daily living activities, you should consider this option. It might be assistance with mobility, medication management, or personal care that you need help with. Regardless, this type of care facility is staffed to help in this way. Some assisted livings even have a more secured unit dedicated to those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

So how would you choose which level of care is appropriate for you or your loved one? Aging Life Care managers and social workers like Arizona Elder Care can help guide you. You can tell them what your needs are, and they can tell you which facilities can provide the best care to you.