2022-2023 Senior Housing Options

R

R ETIREMENT c OMMUNITIES

etirement communities (also known as independent senior living communities or independent retirement com munities) are housing designed for seniors 55 (or 62) and older. Independent senior living communities provide apart ments designed to be an attractive next-step for seniors looking to make the change from the home they have lived in for many years. Residents include seniors who do not require 24/7 skilled nursing, but may benefit from convenient ser vices, senior-friendly sur roundings, and increased social opportunities that independent senior living communities offer. Many retirement commu nities offer dining services, basic housekeeping and laundry services, transporta tion to appointments and errands, activities, social pro grams, and access to exercise equipment. Some also offer emergency alert systems, daily check-in services, live in managers, and amenities like pools, spas, clubhouses, and on-site beauty and bar ber salons. Often-times pets are allowed with an addi tional fee, and all accept cer tified service animals with proper documentation.

ing entrance or endowment fees, some simply have stan dard rental fees, and others have monthly rental fees with special pricing for additional, or ala carte ser vices and RcAc services. finally, retirement commu nities may be strictly mar ket-rate, private pay, while others may be subsidized and offer low-income options. continuing care Retirement communities (See narrative on page 72) provide differing levels of care such as long term care and/or assisted living on the same campus if these levels of care are needed. Article submitted by Ellen Mutter, Executive Director, Forest Ridge Senior Community

pendence, some retirement communities offer assisted services to help with per sonal care needs under licensing as a Residential care Apartment complex (RcAc). RcAc benefit packages can include med ication management and administration, assistance with bathing and dressing, and, most importantly, care coordination and oversight by nursing staff. These ser vices can be added when the resident’s needs change, without having to move from the community. frequently, the addition of RcAc services is all that is required for residents to remain in their senior liv ing apartment indefinitely, without need to move out of the community to a higher level of care. When searching for a senior retirement commu nity it is important to iden tify a list of “must-haves” and then schedule tours of several communities for comparison. The amenities offered at these communi ties are varied and include a wide-range of options. Pricing also varies, with some communities requir-

County index

Milwaukee county . . . . .74

Ozaukee county . . . . . . .80

Washington county . . . .90

Waukesha county . . . . . .91

To further support inde

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