Located in Jensen Beach, just minutes away from Stuart and Port St. Lucie, The Cabana at Jensen Dunes offers affordable assisted living and memory care services. The Cabana at Jensen Dunes is the perfect place for assisted living and memory care residents, as well as their families, to discover what it means to live with dignity and respect.
There are many choices when it comes to senior housing in Port St. Lucie. It can be overwhelming to sort through the wide range of options available. To simplify matters, we’ve created this guide — a comprehensive resource that explores the broad spectrum of senior living options. As you explore your choices, this guide will serve as a handy resource you can refer to again and again.
Contents:
- Housing Options for Older Adults
- Communities for Older Adults Who Needs Care Assistance
- Short-Term Care Options for Older Adults
- Residential Care Options for Older Adults
- Evaluate Your Needs
Our goal is to help you determine which senior housing option is best for you, a relative or friend. If you need any clarification on the available options, please get in touch with us. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Our desire is for you to find the information you need so you’ll be totally satisfied and confident in your final choice of senior housing options.
Housing Options for Older Adults
There are several housing options for active older adults that want to pursue activities and new connections in a safe and supportive environment.
55+ Retirement Communities
55+ retirement communities are senior housing apartments and cottages that are perfect for adults (aged 55 and over) who want to live among active adults with similar interests and lifestyles. This is also a great way to avoid the time and cost requirements of owning your own home, as much of the maintenance and upkeep of the home and community is covered.
Independent Living Communities
Independent living communities allow you to simplify and energize your lifestyle through a variety of services and amenities, with the added bonus of putting you in the midst of people just like you. Many communities offer coordinated activities to help you meet neighbors and bond over common interests, as well as on-site amenities like pools, gyms, salons, dining rooms, and more.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) provide a full continuum of care including everything from independent living through skilled nursing care in one location. You can continue living in the same community even as your care needs change.
Communities for Older Adults Who Need Care Assistance
Although we all want to live independently, as time goes by, we may find we need some level of assistance. Over time, this need often increases, sometimes to the point that full nursing care is required. There are several senior living communities that offer varying levels of care to residents.
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living communities are the ideal choice for those who can do most things for themselves but need varying levels of assistance. Assisted living communities typically have staff that can help with tasks from dressing and bathing to eating and more, but most residents retain their independence. You can find more information in our assisted living guide.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are tailored toward older adults that need more consistent help with day-to-day tasks and cannot safely live at home on their own, but don’t need hospital care. Some nursing homes also provide skilled nursing care.
Skilled Nursing Communities
Skilled nursing communities are staffed by licensed medical professionals who provide around-the-clock medically necessary skilled nursing care.
Memory Care Communities in Port St. Lucie
Memory care communities offer long-term care to adults with varying degrees of memory loss, generally caused by dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Memory care is provided by a specially trained team in an environment that has numerous safety features to ensure residents are safe and enjoy the best possible lifestyle. For more information, take a look at our guide to memory care communities in Port St. Lucie.
Short-Term Care Options for Older Adults
Short-term care options are a great resource for friends, family members and care providers that take on the primary responsibility of supporting an older adult. Short-term care options make it possible for primary care providers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities for short periods of time, such as when going to work, running errands or taking a well-deserved vacation.
Adult Day Cares
Adult day cares provide professional care in a safe, social and interactive environment. They may also be used for short-term, transitional care after a hospital discharge when more support is needed.
Respite Care
Respite care serves the same general function as adult day care, allowing a care provider to take a break from their responsibilities while someone else steps in to provide care. Respite care can be provided by family, friends or a paid care provider. It may also be arranged for in a senior living community that offers respite services.
Residential Care Options for Older Adults
Residential care is a type of support that takes place in a private residence, such as the person’s own home or that of a friend or family member. Several residential care options are available.
In-Home Care
In-home care provides assistance in a private residence. In-home care may be provided by family, friends or a paid care provider.
Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes provide around-the-clock assistance with Activities of Daily Living, also known as ADLs. Residential care homes typically serve a small number of residents in a home-like setting. Meals and lodging are often provided.
Hospice Care
Hospice care focuses on meeting the needs of individuals facing a terminal illness. Services are provided to the adult and their family members, often in a private residence.
Evaluate Your Needs Before Choosing Senior Living
With all these options, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Many offer similar levels of service or operate in similar environments, making it difficult to determine what option is right for you. To make it easier, you might want to first evaluate care needs and determine the funds available to meet those needs. This information will make it easier for you to whittle down your choices to determine which senior living option is best for you and your situation.
If you’re assisting someone else in their search for senior living, it’s important to:
- Keep communication lines open as you go through the research and evaluation process. Encourage them to share their feelings regularly and actively listen to their responses.
- Keep them involved in every decision made. It’s their future that you’re deciding.
- Make sure their needs and wants are being addressed and met as much as possible in regard to their timeline, budget and care.
- Narrow senior living choices to those meeting essential criteria before touring any communities.
Remember, senior housing is a subject that needs to be addressed on an ongoing basis. What works for a person today may not meet their needs and desires tomorrow, much less a year from now. As care needs and living preferences change, housing options may need to be adjusted. Be available and supportive if those changes come up so you can provide the assistance your friend or relative needs to be safe and comfortable.
Contact us if you have questions about senior living in Port St. Lucie.