The Four Types of Senior Housing
The term “senior housing” refers to any housing development that is restricted to people age 55 or older. Senior housing has evolved and continues to evolve to meet the needs and preferences of today’s older adults and seniors. Historically, seniors who needed services often found that fully independent housing or skilled nursing facilities were the only options available to them. In today’s market, additional senior housing products have been developed along a continuum of care to meet the needs of seniors; these products include earlier concepts for senior housing as well as multiple service levels between them.
Maxfield Research Inc. classifies senior housing developments into four categories based on the level of support services:
Adult/Few Services: where few, if any, support services are provided. “Adult” housing includes both rental and ownership (such as senior condominiums, cooperatives, or townhomes).
Congregate: where support services such as meals and light housekeeping are provided, either on an optional basis for an additional fee (optional-service) or included in the monthly fee (service-intensive).
Assisted Living: where two or three daily meals as well as basic support services such as transportation, housekeeping and/or linen changes are included in the fees. Personal care services such as assistance with bathing, grooming, and dressing is included in the monthly fees or is available for an additional fee.
Memory Care: where more service-intensive personal care is required for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Typically, support services and meal plans are similar to those found at assisted living facilities, but the heightened levels of personalized care demand more staffing and higher rental fees.
In general, independent senior housing attracts people age 65 and over while assisted living typically attracts people age 80 and older who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).
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