Professionally, as I am out vetting placements for our seniors ...Retirement homes are more independent living options. Assisted Living is for assistance with medication reminders, prepared meals, site van transportation, scheduled activities, personal grooming, etc.
Around here the term retirement home is still much more commonly used than assisted living. Almost all facilities built in the past combined the nursing home and retirement home as separated parts of the same building and the accommodations on the retirement side are usually just a single room with a bed and sitting area. The posh assisted living places that resemble resorts only began to trickle into the area over the last 15 or 20 years and are almost always owned by giant multinational corporations (but heck, they are buying up all the old retirement homes/nursing homes too).
Yes, I'd equate Retirement Home with Old Folks Home, just an old term meaning any place that's not home! Assisted living facilities are a great "in-between" place, between home and a nursing, the best of both worlds....you still get a private apartment to escape to when you want to be alone. My dad lived in a cute place with a living room, kitchenette and a separate bedroom....only $2525 in Orange County California! Which was a bargain and super nice, so shop around. He loved having all his belongings around him, all his books and computer! The price included all his meals in the dinning room and all the activities. The best part was the friends and socialization, it was so good for him. He was pretty independent, but when he started needing help with bathing and medications, then the services were provided (for a higher price of course). Unfortunately, I had to move him to a residential care facility (aka board and care) because his need became too great, but he really misses his AL so I take him back to visit his friends frequently. I'm also a geriatric social worker, (lucky Dad!) and I've made a little video all about Assisted Living Facilities that might be helpful. Best wishes to you! https://youtu.be/Rna0GpkifIQ
Not all ALs are peaches and cream. I live near one. The place is so bad that those that can stay out as long as they can. Those who don't/can't drive, ride the buses, some all day. One of the funniest stories was a resident going downtown, but taking the long way to do it; which meant taking the bus clear across town to a bus route that went downtown. Mind you, the cross town bus, crossed streets that had bus routes, (and rapids) heading downtown.
There is/was a multipurpose room, that is/was hardly used (one of the residents was trying to get the residents to know each other by having a Sat morning breakfast with mixed results.
First Responders, EMT/Fire frequently are called there, and many residents have died from there.
Many who are there are so excited when their family comes to get them and move them out of the place, LOL
Adelejoe, I read your profile. My gosh, your husband is so young to be having all these medical problems. I honestly believe early retirement isn't all that it is crack up to be. One needs to have a back-up plan for some type of employment doing something one really enjoys. Did hubby have other employment? Or a hobby that kept him busy? Just curious.
As Barb had mentioned in her post, "retirement home" is an old term. I can go back as far as to remember the term "rest home" was common.
Today, there are different levels of senior living. Starting with "Independent Living" where both of you can go and rent a full size apartment. If hubby needs extra care, some facilities have optional care programs that one can purchase.
Next level is "Assisted Living", where the apartment is a studio apartment. The resident needs care with showering, dressing, etc. but are able to get around with or without a walker. Some facilities have Assisted Living/Memory Care which is another level of care.
There is also a level called Long-Term-Care/Nursing Home where it takes a village to take care of one resident. It is either single room or shared room facilities.
Now prices can vary from area to area. My Dad was paying $5k a month for his 2 bedroom apartment in Independent Living. The rent includes weekly housekeeping/linen service, plus meals in the dining room. When Dad moved over to Assisted Living/Memory Care, the cost was around $7k per month. This facility was built like a hotel, the common area restaurant was designed like a fancy restaurant with menu service.
As to what level your hubby would need, the senior facility will do an assessment.
If budgeting is difficult for you in regard to senior facilities, you can check with your State Medicaid office regarding what programs they offer. Medicaid will pay for full room/board and care in a nursing home if your hubby qualifies.
I think "retirement home" is an old term for a place where people went when they couldn't care for themselves any more.
Assisred Living facilities are places that are generally regulated by States as to what care they can and cannot provide.
Your profile made me very sad. Your husband Joe has vascular dementia and possibly depression. He's sleeping his life away and you seem to feel kind of trapped.
You say he won't talk to his doc: YOU can and should send his doctor a note about what you're observing and ask if meds might help. If Joe hasnt put you on a HIPAA form, the doc can't reply to you, but he should certainly be told about Joe's symptoms.
Go visit some Assisted living places See if they feel like a good fit.
Can you also get out by yourself and go to movies, the library? Is there a book club in town? Is there a friendly church ?(doesnt matter which) that you could get involved with?
Please come back and tell us how things are going. And remember, it's your money, too!
There is/was a multipurpose room, that is/was hardly used (one of the residents was trying to get the residents to know each other by having a Sat morning breakfast with mixed results.
First Responders, EMT/Fire frequently are called there, and many residents have died from there.
Many who are there are so excited when their family comes to get them and move them out of the place, LOL
As Barb had mentioned in her post, "retirement home" is an old term. I can go back as far as to remember the term "rest home" was common.
Today, there are different levels of senior living. Starting with "Independent Living" where both of you can go and rent a full size apartment. If hubby needs extra care, some facilities have optional care programs that one can purchase.
Next level is "Assisted Living", where the apartment is a studio apartment. The resident needs care with showering, dressing, etc. but are able to get around with or without a walker. Some facilities have Assisted Living/Memory Care which is another level of care.
There is also a level called Long-Term-Care/Nursing Home where it takes a village to take care of one resident. It is either single room or shared room facilities.
Now prices can vary from area to area. My Dad was paying $5k a month for his 2 bedroom apartment in Independent Living. The rent includes weekly housekeeping/linen service, plus meals in the dining room. When Dad moved over to Assisted Living/Memory Care, the cost was around $7k per month. This facility was built like a hotel, the common area restaurant was designed like a fancy restaurant with menu service.
As to what level your hubby would need, the senior facility will do an assessment.
If budgeting is difficult for you in regard to senior facilities, you can check with your State Medicaid office regarding what programs they offer. Medicaid will pay for full room/board and care in a nursing home if your hubby qualifies.
Assisred Living facilities are places that are generally regulated by States as to what care they can and cannot provide.
Your profile made me very sad. Your husband Joe has vascular dementia and possibly depression. He's sleeping his life away and you seem to feel kind of trapped.
You say he won't talk to his doc: YOU can and should send his doctor a note about what you're observing and ask if meds might help. If Joe hasnt put you on a HIPAA form, the doc can't reply to you, but he should certainly be told about Joe's symptoms.
Go visit some Assisted living places
See if they feel like a good fit.
Can you also get out by yourself and go to movies, the library? Is there a book club in town? Is there a friendly church ?(doesnt matter which) that you could get involved with?
Please come back and tell us how things are going. And remember, it's your money, too!