Just as in other businesses, there are terms associated with retirement and senior living that may not be common in everyday language. These are a few that may need some explanation.
Independent Living Community – A retirement community where residents are fully independent, yet enjoy living with other active seniors. Most communities provide an array of support services such as transportation or meals.
Assisted Living Community – A retirement community or program that provides services and support for persons who need assistance with daily tasks such as grooming, dressing, and taking prescribed medications. Assisted living offers a social component and provides three meals daily. Assisted living is not for people needing routine nursing care.
Hospice Care – Hospice care is provided to persons with a terminal illness, an expectation of living 6 months or less, and no longer seeking a cure or treatment for the terminal illness. Services are provided in the persons home, apartment, or healthcare center.
Healthcare Center, Nursing Facility, Nursing Home – All of these names refer to a program where licensed nursing care is provided 24 hours a day. Services also include assistance with activities of daily living.
Activities of Daily Living – The term ADL refers to routine tasks that people perform each day. These include dressing, bathing, grooming, transferring self or ambulating, and toileting.
Continuum of Care – A healthcare philosophy that allows residents and patients to receive care and support at different levels of intensity.
Memory Support or Dementia Care – At LSM, memory support is provided in the Sales Family Hope Center. The Center is an attached building of the Sunset Home and accommodates 32 residents. The building, as well as the garden patio areas, is secured for persons with behaviors of wandering or elopement.