Where to start:
Picking the right option
Our team at Oxford Vista Wichita is here to guide you through each step of the next chapter in life. Our calling is to help you and your loved one stay safe, live well, and thrive. As a trusted senior resource center that Wichita, KS, families turn to, we are committed to making this process clear and manageable. Whether you’re searching for a senior center or exploring senior resources in Wichita, KS, Oxford Vista Wichita is here to help.
Understanding some of the differences between senior housing options will help you find a starting point. The first step is determining the appropriate level of care you need – or want.
Use this guide to help you find the right starting point.
Independent Living
Independent living is essentially any type of apartment or patio home that has been designed to cater to seniors’ needs. These homes typically offer maintenance-free living and may have access to services that include housekeeping, meals, maintenance, and activities geared toward seniors. Neighbors grow into fast friends as they regularly gather for games, outings, parties, and fitness without having to rely on outside transportation. You can truly remain independent. A new trend in independent living involves apartments for active seniors with a la carte pricing, essentially making the social and safety benefits of senior communities available to a much wider audience than the all-inclusive resorts with heftier price tags.
The costs
Just like the cost of any home. Some communities require an up-front buy-in, while others ask residents to sign a simple monthly lease. Oxford Vista Wichita operates on a month-to-month lease for financial convenience.
Ideal for
Independent living can be ideal for seniors who struggle with home maintenance, those who need a more accessible home, seniors hoping to downsize, or those who want to avoid social isolation and depression.
When is the right time?
Start looking as early as age 55, with the understanding that quality of life can be greatly impacted by the built-in social atmosphere in independent living communities. Downsizing to an active senior apartment in your 60s or 70s can help you to stay active longer – improving your overall health and extending quality of life. Active senior communities can remain a great fit for decades.
Extra tip
Be sure you understand how your lease or buy-in will be impacted if you move out. Will you need to sell your patio home? Is there a chance you would lose money if you choose to move in the future? Can you easily transition to assisted living if you need that later? At Oxford Vista Wichita, we do not require a hefty buy-in, and our simple month-to-month lease will leave you in control of your nest egg.
Assisted Living
Assisted Living can offer the independence of apartment living with the added comfort of on-site health care including medication management and assistance with Activities of Daily Living like dressing, bathing and eating. On-site dining, housekeeping and laundry are standard also. Assisted Living communities work closely with families and health care providers to determine the appropriate level of care for each new resident. Most Assisted Living communities also offer an array of social activities that help seniors stay mentally and physically active with classes, contests and outings throughout each week. Additional amenities and quality dining in these communities can also prompt more family time with Grandma if the extended family enjoys coming to visit and participate in community events.
The costs
Costs range based on the type of apartment as well as the level of care needed. A free assessment will give you a clear picture of your complete costs before any contract is signed.
Ideal for
Assisted living can be ideal for seniors who struggle with nutrition, medication management, dressing, and bathing, or those who need additional health monitoring while still retaining independence.
When is the right time?
Take a look around your loved one’s home. Is it easy for Mom and Dad to get from room to room? Is the fridge or pantry well-stocked? Are they able to keep up with housework on their own? Many seniors struggle to maintain their home and their own health and nutrition on their own. If transportation is an issue, your loved one may not be able to purchase needed groceries and medications without assistance, and social isolation can set in.
Extra tip
Introduce yourself to some of the caregivers at communities you are considering. These individuals will be working closely with you and your loved one. How do they make you feel? Beyond customer service, caregivers in an assisted living setting may begin to feel like family to the seniors they care for.
Memory Care
Memory Care offers 24-hour care for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Memory Care communities include many of the benefits of Assisted Living, like medication management and assistance with personal care. More importantly, Memory Care communities are fully secure to help ensure the safety of residents who wander, and care staff in these communities typically receive special training to help them understand how best to communicate with dementia residents.
Seniors who live with Alzheimer’s and dementia may have difficulty physically and emotionally, but a secure environment with specially trained staff can help those seniors retain quality of life and give their adult children peace of mind. These communities may also offer family support through caregiver support groups that help family members cope with the difficulties of grieving the loss of a living parent. According to the latest statistics released by the Alzheimer’s Association, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 145% since 2000 with an increase in the total population who develop Alzheimer’s every day. With the need for Memory Care communities on the rise, many have a wait list.
The costs
The costs for memory care start higher than those for assisted living because residents with advanced dementia need 24-hour care.
Ideal for
Memory care communities are designed for seniors who have been diagnosed with a form of dementia.
When is the right time?
When a senior is no longer safe in their current environment, or that senior would benefit from having a memory care environment with specially trained staff, it is time for 24-hour memory care. NOTE: Waiting too long to move into a memory care setting can be very dangerous because it can be difficult to determine whether your loved one is able to avoid life-threatening situations on their own. Consult an area memory care community for a free assessment. Many families access resources at memory care communities for respite care if they need assistance caring for their loved one for a short time. A respite stay may help you determine if now is the right time for memory care.
Extra tip
Look for an active daily life enrichment program. Vibrant daily activities can prolong the most active time of a dementia resident’s life and help families stay connected.
Skilled Nursing
Skilled Nursing, often referred to as nursing homes, offer 24-hour care in a more clinical setting. Patients who are recovering from an injury or illness may stay in Skilled Nursing or rehabilitation hospitals for a limited time. In 2010, the US Census found that only 3% of seniors live in skilled nursing settings. Rather than moving to a Skilled Nursing setting, most seniors enlist support through home health or assisted living communities.
The costs
The costs are based on the type and duration of care you need, the provider you use, and where you live.
When is the right time?
In nearly all cases, a health care professional will guide you to the need for skilled nursing due to injury or illness.
Extra tip
If you hope to transition from skilled nursing to an assisted living community, the assisted living community can be a great resource for you. Begin talking to them early.
Breaking down the costs
While a few senior housing options fit the average social security benefit, the majority of us will want or need senior care that costs hundreds or thousands more each month. As with nearly any industry, you get what you pay for. If you or your parents are in need of a much higher level of care, your cost will be higher than that of a person who is able to walk, eat and dress themselves without assistance. So plan on spending more depending on how much one-on-one care you or your loved one will need.
Long-term Care Insurance policies can be a big asset, but they are not the only option to afford the lifestyle you need or want. Many veterans and their spouses qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits that help pay for assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. And in some cases, life insurance policies or mortgages can be leveraged.
Independent Living
Independent living is essentially any type of apartment or patio home that has been designed to cater to seniors’ needs. These homes typically offer maintenance-free living and may have access to services that include housekeeping, meals, maintenance, and activities geared toward seniors. Neighbors grow into fast friends as they regularly gather for games, outings, parties, and fitness without having to rely on outside transportation. You can truly remain independent. A new trend in independent living involves apartments for active seniors with a la carte pricing, essentially making the social and safety benefits of senior communities available to a much wider audience than the all-inclusive resorts with heftier price tags.
The costs
Just like the cost of any home. Some communities require an up-front buy-in, while others ask residents to sign a simple monthly lease. Oxford Vista Wichita operates on a month-to-month lease for financial convenience.
Ideal for
Independent living can be ideal for seniors who struggle with home maintenance, those who need a more accessible home, seniors hoping to downsize, or those who want to avoid social isolation and depression.
When is the right time?
Start looking as early as age 55, with the understanding that quality of life can be greatly impacted by the built-in social atmosphere in independent living communities. Downsizing to an active senior apartment in your 60s or 70s can help you to stay active longer – improving your overall health and extending quality of life. Active senior communities can remain a great fit for decades.
Extra tip
Be sure you understand how your lease or buy-in will be impacted if you move out. Will you need to sell your patio home? Is there a chance you would lose money if you choose to move in the future? Can you easily transition to assisted living if you need that later? At Oxford Vista Wichita, we do not require a hefty buy-in, and our simple month-to-month lease will leave you in control of your nest egg.
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Dementia tips
- Being a caregiver can be very rewarding … but it can also be extremely tough. Be sure to make time and care for yourself to avoid burnout.
- People with dementia may say or ask things repeatedly … to help break the cycle, go for a walk or do a favorite activity with your loved one.
- To help avoid aggressive behavior from your loved one with dementia … explain what is about to happen in short, clear statements. For example, “I am going to take your coat off.”
- Don’t keep your loved one’s dementia a secret. Explain their condition to family, friends, and neighbors, and provide them with contact numbers. They can help keep a tactful eye on your loved one. Be sure your loved one has ID and an emergency contact number at all times.
- Even an individual with dementia likes to feel busy. Provide a drawer full of odds and ends for your loved one to sort out.
