Senior Living: Where to Start?
Our team at Canoe Brook is here to guide you through each step of the next chapter in life. Our calling is to help you and your loved one 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 type of care or enhanced senior living experience you need – or want. Our Oklahoma communities provide assisted living and memory care. However, we’ve included a few more options to help your search.
Use this guide to help you find the right starting point when considering moving to assisted living. Contact Canoe Brook with additional questions about senior living in Oklahoma.
Consideration’s for 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 (or enhanced senior living) offers apartments for active seniors with a la carte pricing. 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.
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?
Assisted living: Where to start
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, particularly if the extended family enjoys visiting and participating in community events.
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. In 2024, CareScout reported the average price of assisted living in Oklahoma was $4,823 per month. That average is much lower than the national average.
Start with assisted living if…
Assisted living can be ideal for seniors who struggle with nutrition, medication management, dressing, and bathing. Those who require additional health monitoring while maintaining their independence benefit from enhanced living for seniors.
When to move to assisted living…
Assisted living moving ideas might start with taking 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 (also called Alzheimer’s care or dementia care) 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 those seniors retain quality of life and give their adult children peace of mind.
These communities may also offer family aid 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, over seven million people have the most common form of dementia. With the increasing need for memory care communities, many have waiting lists.
The cost…
The costs for memory care start 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.
Memory care tips…
Look for an active daily life enrichment program. Therapeutic daily 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 three 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 benefit, 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 all in one.
Quality care matches your needs
As with most services, the level of support 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 for paying the lifestyle you want. 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.