Senior Community Terms to Know
As you or your loved one begin to research senior living and determine if a move to a retirement community is the next best decision, you can quickly find yourself inundated with terms you might not fully understand. The senior living field has its own terminology, even though most senior living professionals aim to keep definitions clear and easily understood. We’ve rounded up a few of the most common terms you’ll need to know as you continue your research so that you can better “talk the talk” when navigating websites or your next tour.
Living option – Senior living communities can offer one or more types of support. These types are sometimes called “living options” and can include independent living, assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing.
ADLs (activities of daily living) – these tasks are directly related to personal care and can be used as a gauge of how independent an adult is. ADLs include dressing, grooming, showering or bathing, eating, transferring or mobility and going to the bathroom.
AL (assisted living) – this living option provides around-the-clock caregiver assistance with personal tasks.
IL (independent living) – this living option is for active adults who do not need around-the-clock caregiver support or assistance with ADLs, but who do want to live a low-maintenance lifestyle among neighbors.
Retirement community – this term is often used interchangeably with senior living community and refers to any type of housing designed for adults over the age of 62.
Memory care – sometimes referred to as dementia care, a memory care community provides specialized care for adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
Skilled nursing – sometimes called a healthcare community (and once referred to as a nursing home), a skilled nursing community offers around-the-clock skilled nursing care for higher acuity medical needs.
Skilled care services – these services must be performed by a licensed professional and can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, IV care and complex condition management.
Life Plan Community – sometimes referred to as a continuing care retirement community, or CCRC, a Life Plan Community is a type of retirement community that offers all living options on one campus and offers advanced healthcare support to residents who live there.
Residents – adults who live in a retirement community.
Life enrichment – a department in a retirement community that plans events, programs and excursions for residents to take part in, if they choose to.
Medication management – when a caregiver or nurse assists a resident with keeping up with their medication schedule to ensure they take the correct medication at the correct dose at the correct time.
How to Find a Senior Community
Now that you have the terms you need to know, you can begin setting up tours of senior living communities near you that offer the right living option for your situation. If you are in the Shreveport area, we invite you to schedule a tour at The Glen. Our Life Plan Community offers all four types of senior living options on one beautiful campus, along with amenities and services designed to enhance your lifestyle and wellness. We hope to see you soon!