Senior Villages
Different Kinds of Villages for Elders
Gretchen Heuring | ElderThink | 01.26.10
The Senior Village idea involves a community of seniors, usually over the age of 55, who have similar interests. For example, homes can be clustered around a golf course or lake. There is a central location for social gatherings and organized activities, vans for shopping trips and expeditions, and a trained staff who focus on entertainment. Most senior villages also offer an assisted living component for those who are slowing down and need more care.
Senior villages are also called "retirement communities."
Different Kinds of Senior Villages
Active Adult Communities provide activities and services for community members. These can include golf, tennis, ocean views, a marina, country and mountain views, a country club, walking and biking trails, a swimming pool, exercise room, and community gathering place. >> Search for Active Adult Communities by State
Independent Living describes a village for older adults that might remind you of your college days. The village is made up of private apartments or houses exclusively for seniors. They come and go as they please and have their own furnishings, but have centralized meals delivered to them or served in a community setting. The village also may provide social functions, cleaning services and laundry, and some transportation.
>> Search for Independent Living by State
Assisted Living (also called residential care) is a special combination of housing and health care. Elders in assisted living usually require medical care, bathing and hygiene. Assisted Living is a non-institutional setting that promotes maximum independence and dignity and encourages family and community involvement. Staff is available 24 hours a day to for both scheduled and unscheduled needs. >> Search for Assisted Living by State
Continuing Care offers three levels of support within the same community. If needs change, the appropriate level of support is available from independent living, assisted living and nursing care. Continuing Care Communities are also known as "CCRC"
>> Search for Continuing Care by State
10 Top Design Trends In Senior Living Facilities
Bradford Perkins, FAIA, MRAIC, AICP | Building Design & Construction | 01.19.09
Trends in senior living
1. Optimizing resident privacy and dignity
2. Creating homelike settings
3. Introducing hospitality design concepts
4. Expanding individual choice
5. Using technology to enhance senior living
6. Filling in the continuum
7. Taking the 'R' out of CCRC
8. Expanding urban options
9. Seeking more sustainable environments
10. Capitalizing on globalization
The surge of silent generation retirees and the impending burst of baby boomers marching toward retirement age are creating a burgeoning market for senior living. What is less widely appreciated is how much creativity is being applied to addressing this critically important part of the built environment. All the old design models are being challenged, serious environmental design research is being done, and a wide range of new models is being planned and built based on this research. >> More
Assisted Living: Helping Parents Understand When It's Time
TopEldercares.com | Unknown Author
One of the most troublesome challenges is when it's obvious to everyone - except to the person that needs to make the move - that the time has come to move from a private residence to an independent living, assisted living, retirement home, CCRC, or nursing home. >> More
