If you’re an older adult considering moving to a senior living community, the choices can be confusing. Independent living and enriched living are terms that may be unfamiliar to you, and you may not know which one is the right fit. Ultimately, you’ll need to ask yourself how well you’re able to manage daily activities on your own, and how much help you might need now and in the future. Take your time considering your options: making this kind of transition is a major life decision! Rest assured, though; senior living doesn’t mean you have to give up your independence.
Some people don’t feel able to manage a house and yard anymore but don’t need much help with daily life. For those people, independent living might be a good fit. Independent living gives you the option of living on your own, with the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone will be there to assist you if there’s ever an emergency. When you choose an independent living community, you typically have access to certain helpful services, within a safe living environment. You will be able to eat meals in the dining room, get rides to medical appointments, and have access to housekeeping and laundry services.
Enriched living takes the assistance far further. It’s ideal for people who have trouble with daily tasks like cleaning, laundry, and meal prep, yet still want the option of participating in social activities. Some people in enriched living communities use additional care services like medication management or assistance with personal hygiene. The peace of mind that comes from being able to ask for as much or as little help as necessary is valuable, and being able to have a full social calendar after having some setbacks and perhaps no longer being able to drive is priceless.
When you’re making this type of decision, it’s smart to choose a community that offers varying levels of care. That way, even if you’re reasonably independent when you move into the community, you know that if you need the care, you can transition to a different care level without disrupting your routine again. That kind of flexibility is comforting and reassuring.
Of course, what’s available varies depending on the community. At Parkwood Heights, we pride ourselves on offering people the very best care, at a level with which they’re comfortable. In our Independent/Enriched apartments, residents can enjoy peace and quiet or enjoy an extremely active social life. The apartments come in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, and they each feature an open floor plan. There’s beautiful natural light, and some of the apartments even have peaceful, wooded views. Parkwood has many amenities and services, Chef-prepared meals in the dining room, use of the gorgeous community center, and access to excursions are all available to our residents.
Parkwood’s Enriched program area offers a higher level of care. Working one on one with your medical providers, our case manager will work hard to make sure your needs are met. The case manager will be responsible for coordinating your appointments, and will make sure that your medications are delivered directly to Parkwood Heights and taken as directed. Your medication will be distributed to you in the privacy of your apartment, as directed by your physician. That way, you can go about your day without worrying about whether or not you have taken your medication.
One major advantage of being in the Enriched Housing program is that a personal aide will be available to you 24 hours each day. You’ll have a personalized care plan, and our staff will work with you to make sure your needs are being met. This includes the need to stay active and participate in daily activities. If you need help showering, dressing, or grooming, your personal aide will assist you.
Parkwood Heights offers different types of senior living opportunities, and it’s a great place to live your best life. Parkwood Heights is a lovely community in which to spend your retirement participating in interesting activities or just relaxing, located just minutes from Victor, Fairport, Farmington, and Canandaigua. Our picturesque, 122-acre senior living campus affords many opportunities to enjoy your time with friends and family, while enjoying our scenic setting. Call (315) 986-9100 to learn more about all that we have to offer, or check out our website and reach out if you have any questions.
