THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SENIOR HOUSING

Almost 48 million seniors live in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and around 1 million of them
live in some type of senior living community. The number of seniors is expected to grow to 78 million by 2035, due to
innovations in healthcare and today’s seniors living longer, healthier and more active lives.

As you begin to look into housing options for yourself or your loved one, you may be confused by the variety of choices.
What is independent living? How is it different from assisted living? What kind of amenities are available? What if my
loved one has a memory condition or another serious medical need — how can I be sure they are safe and cared for in
their new home?

That’s precisely what this ebook is about. We examine the five main types of senior living communities available:

CHAPTER ONE: INDEPENDENT LIVING CHAPTER FOUR: SKILLED NURSING

CHAPTER TWO: ASSISTED LIVING CHAPTER FIVE: SHORT-TERM CARE

CHAPTER THREE: MEMORY CARE We look at the services provided, who is a good fit for
each type of community, and the average costs involved.
As you look into the options, this ebook will give you the
guidance and assurance you need to make the decision
that best fits your needs and lifestyle.

2 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing

CHAPTER 1. INDEPENDENT LIVING

WHAT IS INDEPENDENT LIVING?

Independent living is for seniors who are self-sufficient but want access to amenities and assistance when necessary.
This is often referred to as a “senior living community,” or a “retirement community.” Residents live in a private studio
or a one- or two-bedroom apartment home within a community of seniors. Independent living communities offer such
services as dining, housekeeping and social activities.

SERVICES TYPICALLY PROVIDED COST

Dedicated staff Independent living residents pay an all-inclusive rate that
varies based on location, apartment type and the level of
Dining services hospitality and care services provided. Depending on these
variables, these communities can range from $1,500 to
Enrichment programs (for example,
lecture series, art classes, film viewings, $6,000 a month.
gardening programs, fitness programs,
book clubs)

Routine housekeeping service YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT

for this type of community if...
Transportation to shops, doctors’
appointments and local attractions

24-hour emergency call system and You are fully or mostly independent
well-being checks You’re seeking a high level of hospitality with many amenities

On-site beauty salon and barber shop You’re interested in an active and healthy lifestyle
1
Well-being checks are not relevant You love the idea of maintenance-free living
for residents of Illinois

3 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing

 DID YOU KNOW?
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, seniors who have an active social life experience
memory loss at a slower rate. In fact, the most sociable seniors experience memory decline at
less than half the rate of the least sociable seniors.

LEISURE ACTIVITY: HOW IS TIME SPENT?

AGES: 65-74

AVG. HOURS PER DAY PERCENT OF LEISURE TIME

Socializing &
communicating 0.73 10.5% 10.5%

Watching TV 4.03
9.1% AGES
Participating in sports, Reading
exercise & recreation 0.27 65-74
5.0% 58.1%
Relaxing & thinking 0.35 Relaxing & thinking Watching TV

NOTE
3.9% “Other leisure
Reading 0.63 activities” includes
activities such as
playing games, using
the computer for
leisure, doing arts
Other leisure activities 0.93 and crafts as a hobby,
experiencing arts and
entertainment (other
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey than sports), and
engaging in related
travel.
4 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing
CH. 1 INDEPENDENT LIVING
LESIURE ACTIVITY CONTINUED

LEISURE ACTIVITY: HOW IS TIME SPENT?

AGES: 74+

AVG. HOURS PER DAY PERCENT OF LEISURE TIME

Socializing &
communicating 0.71 8.8%
10.5%

Watching TV 4.52
13.5% 56.3%
Participating in sports, Reading
exercise & recreation 0.17 Watching TV

NOTE
Relaxing & thinking 0.69 8.7% “Other leisure
Relaxing & thinking activities” includes
activities such as
playing games, using
the computer for
Reading 1.09 2.1% leisure, doing arts
and crafts as a hobby,
experiencing arts and
entertainment (other
than sports), and

Other leisure activities 0.85 engaging in related

travel.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey

5 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing

CHAPTER 2. ASSISTED LIVING

WHAT IS ASSISTED LIVING?

Assisted living is for seniors who cherish their independence but also need assistance with daily activities.
Residents enjoy the same amenities available in independent living, but they also receive support with such tasks
as bathing, dressing and taking medication. Assisted living communities are often called “residential care.”

SERVICES TYPICALLY PROVIDED COST

Dedicated staff Assisted living costs depend on a number of factors, including

the size of the apartment, the type of services needed and the
Dining services location of the community. According to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, the average cost for a one-
Enrichment programs (for example, bedroom unit in an assisted living community in 2016 was
lecture series, art classes, film viewings,
gardening programs, fitness programs, $119 a day or $3,628 per month.
book clubs)

Routine housekeeping service YOUR LOVED ONE MIGHT BE RIGHT

for this type of community if...
Transportation to shops, doctors’
appointments and local attractions
They need some level of assistance with the tasks of daily living
24-hour emergency call system and such as bathing, dressing, medication, meals and housekeeping
well-being checks
They want the option to be social and active
On-site beauty salon and barber shop
1
Well-being checks are not relevant
They love the idea of amenity-filled and maintenance-free living
for residents of Illinois
An emergency call pendant and an in-room emergency pull-cord
for immediate attention is a good idea

6 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing

CH. 2 ASSISTED LIVING

DID YOU KNOW?

Seniors who exercise — even a little — appear to live longer and have a lower risk of disability, according
to a study from Hebrew University Medical Center and Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School. The
benefits of physical activity were seen even in those who began exercising between ages 70 and 85.

7 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing

CHAPTER 3. MEMORY CARE

WHAT IS MEMORY CARE?

Memory care is a special form of assisted living that serves the special needs of those living with conditions that
affect memory and behavior. Memory care (often called “Alzheimer’s and dementia care”) offers 24-hour supervised
care with meals, activities and health management services. Residents enjoy many of the same amenities and social
activities of the previous two types of communities, but they also receive personalized care that’s tailored to their
safety needs.

SERVICES TYPICALLY PROVIDED

Dedicated staff In addition, memory care features a structured and tailored

daily program that aims to keep those with memory-
Dining services impairment engaged in daily life. Units are designed with
increased security measures to protect residents (six in
Enrichment programs (for example,
lecture series, art classes, film viewings, 10 people with dementia will wander, according to the
gardening programs, fitness programs, Alzheimer’s Association).
book clubs)
COST
Routine housekeeping service
According to the American Elder Care Research
Transportation to shops, doctors’ Organization, the average cost for memory care in an
appointments and local attractions assisted living community was $4,750 a month in 2016.
This varies by state; find your state’s average cost of
24-hour emergency call system and
memory care here.
well-being checks

On-site beauty salon and barber shop

1
Well-being checks are not relevant YOUR LOVED ONE MIGHT
for residents of Illinois BE RIGHT for this type of
community if

They are living with a condition that affects memory,

such as Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia

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 CH. 3 MEMORY CARE

DID YOU KNOW?

Between 2017 and 2025, every state is expected to see at least a 14 percent rise
in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

16.1 MILLION
Americans provide unpaid care for people
with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

These caregivers provided

an estimated
VALUED AT OVER

18.4B $232B
HOURS OF CARE

9 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing Source: Alzheimer’s Association

 CHAPTER 4. SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION

WHAT IS SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION?

Skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities provide two types of care: short-term services for those who require
24-hour nursing care following an operation or other type of hospital stay, and long-term care for those with chronic
health issues who can no longer live independently. These communities are licensed by the state, and are often called
“nursing homes,” or “convalescent homes.”

SERVICES TYPICALLY PROVIDED

Medicare2 covers skilled nursing care expenses in specific
24-hour, supervised, long-term medical care
situations, usually in cases where your loved one has been
Regular visits by partner physicians hospitalized and released but still requires specialized care.
Post-surgical rehabilitation Talk to a Medicare benefits specialist to learn more about
Daily assistance with such activities as coverage for your situation.
bathing, eating and dressing 2
Medicare does not pay for personal care at home or in assisted living, and its
skilled nursing and rehabilitation benefits are limited to 100 days.
Access to physical therapy, occupational
therapy and speech therapy

COST
YOUR LOVED ONE MIGHT
BE RIGHT FOR
The cost of a stay in one of these
communities depends on a number of this type of community if
factors including location, the size of the
room and whether it’s private or shared.
According to the U.S. Department of They need short-term care following a hospital stay
Health and Human Services, the average
or
cost for a stay in a skilled nursing
community in 2016 were: They need long-term nursing supervision due to a
chronic health issue
• $225 a day or $6,844 per month for a
semi-private room

• $253 a day or $7,698 per month for a

private room

10 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing

 CH. 4 SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION

DID YOU KNOW?

More than two-thirds of people over age 65 will require some type of long-term care services during their
lifetime, and over 45 percent of people will need a period of care in a nursing home, according to the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Seniors and their loved ones must be aware of the dangers of loneliness. As people age,
there is a tendency to grow more introverted. Though there is nothing wrong with a bit of
alone time, it is important to socialize regularly. Here are a few insights on how seniors tend
to spend their free time:

Seniors in the U.S. spend The amount of time seniors About a third of seniors only
more time reading than spend socializing tends to drive in the daytime due to
younger groups, devoting decline with age a health or physical problem;
about an hour a day to it 19% don’t drive at all

11 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing Source

 CHAPTER 5. SHORT-TERM CARE

WHAT IS SHORT-TERM CARE?

Short-term care is a temporary care solution. Stays in these communities can be as short as a week or two or
extended to three months or more. These communities are sometimes referred to as “respite care,” or “short-term
senior care.”

SERVICES TYPICALLY PROVIDED COST

Dedicated staff The cost of short-term care varies with the location of the
community and the services needed.
Dining services

Enrichment programs (for example,

lecture series, art classes, film viewings, YOUR LOVED ONE MIGHT
gardening programs, fitness programs, BE RIGHT FOR
book clubs)
this type of community if
Routine housekeeping service

Transportation to shops, doctors’

appointments and local attractions They are recovering from a surgery or illness and shouldn’t
stay home alone
24-hour emergency call system and
well-being checks
Their caregiver needs to travel or take a break
On-site beauty salon and barber shop
They want to try out a community before committing to it
1
Well-being checks are not relevant
for residents of Illinois full-time

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 CH. 5 SHORT-TERM CARE

DID YOU KNOW?

Life expectancies for Americans are longer than ever before. Under current mortality conditions, those
who survive to age 65 can expect to live an average of 19.3 more years, according to the Federal Interagency
Forum on Aging Related Statistics.

PERCENTAGE OF SENIOR CITIZENS BY STATE

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

13 The Complete Guide to Senior Housing
 UNDERSTAND YOUR SENIOR HOUSING OPTIONS

As you continue to examine senior living communities and the levels of care and hospitality they offer, remember that
your needs may change. Keep this ebook and refer to it as necessary. You may wish to choose a community that can
accommodate both current and potential future needs.

You don’t have to navigate this road alone. Senior Lifestyle is a trusted leader in senior living communities, and
our caring team of dedicated professionals is here to answer any questions you may have about all these types of
communities. Our top priority will always be the well-being of our residents and their families.
Learn more about Senior Lifestyle, contact us to learn more or find a community near you.

111 E. Wacker Drive Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 673-4333