Where to Start
Our team at Oxford Senior Living 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. 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 provide access to services that include housekeeping, meals, maintenance, and activities specifically designed for 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 offers apartments for active seniors with optional services. Essentially, it makes the social and wellness benefits of senior communities available to a much wider audience than the all-inclusive resorts with heftier price tags.
The cost
The cost ranges widely, just like the cost of any home. Some communities require upfront buy-in, while others ask residents to sign a simple monthly lease. Our communities operate on a month-to-month lease for financial convenience.
Independent living is 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 stay active longer, improving your overall health and extending your quality of life. Active senior communities can remain a great fit for decades.
Independent living tips
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 communities, 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 healthcare, including medication management and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, and eating. On-site dining, housekeeping, and laundry services are also standard.
Assisted living communities work closely with families and health care providers to determine the appropriate level of support for each new resident.
Most assisted living communities also offer a variety of social activities that help seniors stay mentally and physically active, including classes, contests, and outings throughout each week. Additional amenities and high-quality dining options in these communities can also encourage more family time with loved ones.
The cost…
The costs range based on the type of apartment and the level of support needed. A free assessment will provide you with a clear picture of your total costs before any contract is signed.
Who should start receiving assisted living?
Assisted living can be ideal for seniors who struggle with nutrition, medication management, dressing, and bathing, or those who need additional health monitoring while 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 manage their own housework? Many seniors struggle to maintain their homes and their own health and nutrition independently. 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.
Assisted living tips
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. These 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 well-being of residents who wander, and care staff in these communities typically receive specialized training to help them understand how best to communicate with residents with dementia.
Seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia may have difficulty physically and emotionally, but a secure environment with specially trained team members can help them retain quality of life and give their adult children peace of mind.
These communities may also offer family guidance through caregiver support groups that help family members cope with the difficulties of grieving the loss of a living parent.
The cost
The costs for memory care starts higher than those for assisted living because residents with advanced dementia need 24-hour care.
Memory care is ideal for
Memory care communities are designed for seniors who have been diagnosed with a form of dementia. They are ideal for families who want to resume their typical roles as a daughter, son, or spouse.
When is the right time?
If a loved one is no longer safe in their current living situation or would benefit from specialized memory care with trained staff, it may be time to consider 24-hour memory care.
NOTE: Waiting too long to move into memory care 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 a local memory care community for a complimentary assessment.
Memory care tips
Look for an active daily life enrichment program. Therapeutic activities can prolong the most active time of a dementia resident’s life and help families stay connected.
Skilled Nursing
Skilled nursing facilities, often referred to as nursing homes, provide 24-hour care in a more clinical setting. Patients recovering from an injury or illness may stay in a skilled nursing or rehabilitation hospital for a limited time. In 2010, the US Census found that only 3 percent of seniors live in skilled nursing settings. Rather than moving to a nursing home, most seniors enlist support through home health or assisted living communities.
The cost
The cost can vary based on the type and duration of care you need, the provider you use, and your location. Unlike other forms of senior living, insurance programs typically cover the cost, provided the care is deemed medically necessary by a doctor.
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.
Skilled nursing tips
If you hope to transition from skilled nursing to an assisted living community, the assisted living community can be an excellent resource for you. Begin talking to them early.
Breaking down the costs
While some senior housing options fit within the average Social Security benefits, most quality senior care communities cost several hundred to thousands more each month. The good news is that senior living often provides better value than you might expect.
Senior living vs. home care: A smart financial choice
Consider this cost comparison from CareScout data: The average cost of full-time home care (44 hours per week) in the US is $6,483 per month as of 2024. Assisted living typically costs around $5,900 per month.
But here’s what many families don’t realize — home care is just one expense. When you add the costs of living at home (utilities, groceries, home maintenance, transportation, and modifications), the total often exceeds the cost of a quality senior living community that includes housing, meals, activities, and care services.
Quality care that matches your needs
As with most services, the level of care you receive reflects what you invest. If you or your parents require a higher level of personal assistance with daily activities such as walking, eating, or dressing, your monthly cost will be higher than that of someone who needs minimal support. This personalized approach means you pay for exactly the care you need — nothing more, nothing less.
Multiple ways to make senior living cost-effective
Long-term care insurance policies can significantly help with costs, but they’re not your only option. Many veterans and their spouses are eligible for Aid & Attendance benefits, which help cover the costs of assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Additionally, life insurance policies or home mortgages can sometimes be leveraged to fund senior care.
The key is to explore all your options and find the financial solution that works best for your situation.