We often hear about obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease, but there are also the stealthier issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or macular degeneration. Each can cause its own kind of disability, and may affect your decision making. Here are a few definitions that will help you decide the best place for yourself or your loved ones:

Senior independent Living: A community of seniors living in an apartment complex or retirement community with no custodial or medical care. Grounds keeping and some utility services may be included, however.

Congregate Housing: Independent living in a senior apartment, with the added services of custodial and medical care.

Assisted Living Facility: A group home consisting of private rooms or apartments with assistance in activities of daily living, but little or no medical care.

Board-and-Care Home: A small Assisted Living Facility.

Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing Facility): A facility with 24-hour medical care available, in addition to custodial care.

Continuing-Care Retirement Community: A residential community for the remainder of one’s life, with a choice of services and living situations based on changing needs at each point in time.

Adult Family Homes: A newer option that allows for assisted living in a single family home. This is a more appealing option for many, as it provides for greater privacy as well as a feeling of family life. Many adult family homes are staffed with certified professionals who also reside in the home.

In-Home Care: Most likely the best of all options for seniors. Statistically, older people live longer, healthier and enjoy a better overall quality of life when they are able to remain in their own home. This option usually requires that more than one full-time in-home health care provider come to the home daily, providing shopping, bathing, dressing and cooking services. These client-directed services do not include medical care, as most in-home care attendants are not medical professionals; however, all in-home health care workers are required to maintain their certification through continuing education each year.

How will you know when it’s time to examine your senior housing options? Keep an eye out for tell-tale signs of day-to-day difficulties. For example, if household chores are ignored or left incomplete, if bathing or dressing becomes too difficult or dangerous, or if a senior is becoming isolated, this may narrow your choices. Additionally, if your parent has an ongoing medical condition that is becoming difficult to manage, this can be a determining factor.

The proliferation of senior care options is in direct response to the needs of our society. Before you find yourself on a waiting list, or are unable to find reliable in-home assistance due to the demands of an aging population, plan now for your short- and long-term care. There seems to be no end to the acronyms and abbreviations associated with this information, so by allowing yourself the time to get educated, you will greatly alleviate your confusion. This can become most urgent when an aging parent passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind a spouse now living alone. You want to be able to plan for current and evolving needs, so give yourself the luxury of that time.

When your parents reach the age and the stage of life where they would be happier in senior housing you may be skeptical and a bit anxious to start the search.That’s because it is especially hard to think of your parents needing care from someone other than themselves. Also, seeing them move to another home and selling your childhood home can be stressful and sad. But, just imagine how your parents are feeling. They never thought the day would come that they wouldn’t be able to properly care for themselves or would need stair lifts to go up and down the stairs. We all know we are going to grow old one day, it’s just hard to accept sometimes when that day actually comes.

One thing to look for is wheelchair lifts if your parents are in wheelchairs or vertical lifts that will help them get around in their wheelchair. Many older individuals end up needing a wheelchair, walker, or cane at some point in their lives, which means stair lifts, vertical lifts, and wheelchair lifts are all important things to look for. You should also consider a home that is only one level so that your aging parents won’t need to go up and down stairs. It could be that they are able to walk fairly well now, but as they age going up and down stairs may be more difficult or they may end up in a wheelchair. As a result you should look for senior housing that fits your parents now, but that also fits them in the future should certain things happen. It really is difficult considering these types of things, but it must be done to ensure your parents end up in the best living arrangements possible.

The best senior housing is housing that works for your aging parents now as well as into the future. Consider whether or not there is personal care, maid services, meal service, and any other necessities your parents might need should the become unable to do them for themselves. When you consider these things you will surely be able to find the best housing for your senior parents and rest assured knowing they are taken care of. Senior housing has come a long way from dingy old nursing homes. Assisted living communities in particular are generally outstanding. If you or a family member is beginning to get to an age where a bit of help would be prudent, make sure to speak with a placement service about the options in your area.