As they age, many older Americans start considering the possibility of moving into a senior living facility. Some of these older adults are single. However, many of them are married or otherwise in committed long-term relationships. What are the senior living options for married couples? And how can you determine which options make the most sense for you? Answers to these questions can help guide smart decisions that provide you with the best possible senior living outcomes.
Married Couples in Senior Living – Potential Factors Affecting Your Options
To a large extent, options for married couples in senior living depend on your specific circumstances. Not all couples are in the same situation. In fact, circumstances can vary widely from case to case. Potential factors that may affect your available options include:
- The level of care required by both you and your spouse
- The living arrangements desired by your and your spouse within your home
- The similarities and differences between a given couple’s likes and interests
The level of care required by you and your spouse is a particularly major consideration. Some couples have basically the same care needs. However, others have needs that diverge widely. If you have divergent needs, you’ll need to find facilities to accommodate both of you.
Preferred living arrangements between various couples can also differ a lot. In addition, it’s common for couples to have at least a few dissimilar personal interests. Some facilities may have enough options to meet both partners’ needs. But others may not.
Options for Senior Couples in Retirement Homes – Types of Facilities
There are several kinds of senior living facilities. Depending on your circumstances, any of them may be a good fit for you and/or your spouse. The complete list of facility options includes:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Long-term skilled nursing care
All of these options have their specific benefits and criteria. Take some time to research each of them. That way, you’ll have a better picture of which kinds of facilities might suit your current and future needs.
Options for Married Couples in Senior Living – Single Vs. Multi-Facility Providers
Some senior living service providers offer only one or two typical facility options. In contrast, other providers offer all such options. These facts can have a significant impact on your decision-making. A single-facility provider may be a good option if you and your spouse have similar needs. However, a multi-facility provider may make a lot more sense if you have substantially different needs.
Such a provider might be a better choice even if married couples in senior living currently have the same needs. Why? Any given senior’s living requirements may change over time. Arrangements that work for you now may no longer do so in the future. If this happens, you’ll need to transition into a different kind of facility. This can be unnecessarily complicated if it requires you to switch to another provider. As a rule, it’s much easier to simply transition to a different facility offered by a single provider.
Get More Advice on Senior Couples in Senior Living at Parkway Place
These are just some of the factors affecting the options of senior couples in senior living. For a more complete rundown of what’s involved, contact the senior living specialists at Parkway Place. We’re committed to providing timely advice that supports effective decision-making.
Parkway Place is also committed to fully supporting senior couples in retirement homes. Our multi-facility approach helps ensure that you and your spouse can meet all needs in a single location. And our diverse range of services helps maximize the benefits of each living option. To learn more, just call us today at 281.305.1846 or fill out our online form.