Breaking Down the Benefits of a Continuum Community for Seniors

A continuum community for seniors — also called a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) or life plan community — offers a wealth of benefits to older adults looking to remain in the same setting as their care needs change. 

With a variety of living options and multiple levels of care, continuum communities provide seniors and their families with peace of mind, greater well-being, and the assistance needed to maintain independence. 

Seniors can begin living independently in their apartments and later transition to assisted living, memory care, or a skilled care community when the need arises. Continuum communities provide access to different levels of care at one location to eliminate the anxiety that comes with searching for a secondary facility.  

We’ve previously discussed benefits like safety, strengthened relationships, and home maintenance. In this article, we will break down more of the benefits you can expect from a community that offers a continuum of care.

Beautiful, Personalized Living Spaces

Independent and assisted living facilities like our Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, and Middlewoods communities offer elegant and modern apartments in convenient and well-appointed settings. Walking paths, front porches, patios, gardens, and other outdoor living features offer a pleasant view and give any senior a sense of pride in their new home. 

In UMH communities, seniors are invited to furnish their apartments as they would their own homes. Residents can add a touch of familiarity with their treasured furniture and wall hangings. Displays of family photos, artwork, or collections can make for great conversation starters with staff and help the older adult in your life feel at ease.

Taking the time to properly downsize before moving into a continuum community will allow the senior in your life to truly curate a haven all their own.

Fun and Engaging Activities

Older adults transitioning to a senior community might be apprehensive about making friends or settling into a new routine. However, continuum communities offer a breadth of social, educational, and cultural activities that residents can engage in. 

In UMH communities, seniors can expect to see a full calendar of programming from the community’s team of life enrichment staff. These special activities and events provide opportunities for seniors to build relationships, learn new things, engage in volunteer work, and much more. 

Regularly available activities often include programs such as book clubs, fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, cards and games, sporting events, health and wellness programs, educational lectures, gardening, musical performances, and pet visits. In addition, trips to museums, restaurants, parks, theaters, and other places of interest are offered for seniors looking to enjoy outings and local attractions.

Spiritual support and a variety of multi-faith activities are also available for residents who wish to attend. These may include prayer and reflection, worship services, meditation, communion services, rosary groups, and bible study groups. All residents are welcome to participate in these activities.

Residents in continuum communities often have the benefit of specialized staff and volunteers who help facilitate community-centered programs and events. 

Safe and Reliable Transportation Services

Though seniors may value the independence of driving, changes associated with aging can make driving more difficult and dangerous for older adults. Common health conditions such as arthritis, decreased vision, hearing loss, delayed reaction times, and certain medications can also have a negative impact on driving skills.

While there are certainly ways for seniors to continue driving safely, older adults in continuum communities may opt to take advantage of the community’s transportation services instead. After all, why worry about the increased challenges on the road when safe and reliable transportation is already available?

Residents of UMH communities and other continuum communities for seniors can receive door-to-door service from courteous and helpful drivers. Scheduled transportation services are provided to medical appointments, the grocery store, the pharmacy, local banks, religious services, the library, the post office, and more. Seniors can also enjoy assistance from their driver with anything from finding their doctor’s office to finding a particular item at the grocery store.

Increased Free Time

The responsibilities associated with maintaining a home and a healthy lifestyle are time-consuming and exhausting, especially for seniors who find they have limited energy and strength. Continuum communities offer an array of hospitality services, including dining services, laundry services, housekeeping and maintenance services, basic utilities, and health and wellness services. 

Time spent on cooking a healthy meal or vacuuming the living room can now be spent visiting with friends or family members. The energy they would have spent shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or trimming back the bushes can now be used to explore new hobbies, exercise, or take a walk.

There is a perception that senior living communities limit an older adult’s freedom and independence. Whether an individual resides in an independent living community or a memory care community, the senior living lifestyle is designed to support independence in every way. Having a helping hand with daily routines, decisions, and responsibilities can enable the senior in your life to do more of what they want to do.

‘Round the Clock Service with a Smile

Continuum communities like UMH offer exceptional, 24/7 services — such as 24-hour emergency call systems and community staff on-site seven days a week — with teams that reflect a relationship-centered philosophy. 

With its company values of respect and excellence, as well as its status as a not-for-profit organization, UHM is particularly well-equipped to create an environment in which the staff are friendly, the community is welcoming, and the atmosphere is inviting. You and the senior loved one in your life can expect exceptional community living and enhanced quality of life as benefits of this continuum community. 

Should I Speak with A Senior Care Expert?

If access to a continuum of care as you age sounds appealing to you or your loved one, consider exploring UMH’s Wesley Village campus in Shelton, CT, or Middlewoods communities in Newington, CT, or Farmington, CT. For more information or to speak with a senior care expert who can provide detailed answers to your senior living questions, contact us today

To further explore how a senior living community can help, reach out to a UMH senior care advisor today or schedule a tour to learn more.