Thanks to the demand in faith-based assisted living facilities, there are many options that senior citizens have should they wish to retire in a local senior community that promotes their religious beliefs. It is a good thing because one is not forced to stay in a community where they are not 100% comfortable simply because they cannot find a better option. Therefore, one has to take their time to know some options available before choosing the right assisted living community. There are different ways to know what is in the market.
One of the best options to locate Christian assisted living near you is to talk to the pastor at your church who will point you in the right direction. He or she may know a community that they work with or the clergy can also consult other people in the profession to avail a list of some of the best senior living options in your area.
Online search engines can also give you the list you need within a short period. All you have to do is know the region where you or a family member wants to spend their post-retirement years, and you can get a list of some of the communities available. Here you can also start by reading some of the reviews to know which residences to consider and the ones to cross off your list.
References from relatives and friends can also come in handy for anyone looking for the ideal Christian retirement community near you. It works best if there is someone who is already in such a community because they can give an honest review based on the experience they have with the assisted living residence.
Your searching journey will not stop once you have a list of Christian retirement communities that an older person would be interested in. Retirees and their loved ones are obligated to conduct further research to find out the services the communities offer to identify the perfect retirement environment. It would require visiting at least a couple of facilities to get a true picture of what really goes on. While touring your top choices, some questions you can ask assisted living facilities before making a decision include:
The answer will allow you to find out about the history of the place as well as the philosophy and denomination that they are affiliated with. Never be in a rush when finding out the history of the facility because the details really matter. Get as much information as you can, including how many residents they can take at a time and what happens when the needs of a retiree change in the future. When the opportunity arises, be sure to talk to other occupants and staff members who do not hold managerial positions as it will help you learn about the home better.
Considering that Christianity is one of the things that made you choose a specific assisted living facility, it would be essential to inquire about how they handle pastoral care. Is there a chaplain who works full-time or does one have to come from a nearby church when their services are needed? Having a pastor as part of the staff is ideal because it means that they can attend to the inhabitants any time of the day or night. It also helps to know how older adults with limited mobility receive pastoral care if an occupant cannot travel to where the chaplain is.
Different Christian assisted living facilities have varying ways of how they do their things. Many offer numerous social, general and recreational activities that residents can participate in on a monthly basis. These can include chapel services, singing of religious songs and bible studies. Have a look at the calendar to know what they have to offer. If there are some activities that the senior likes and are not part of what the community avails, ask if they are flexible enough to include additional activities.
A retired person may fall in love with a residence that does not belong to their Christian faith. Be sure to ask how they handle such occurrences. Do they invite other pastoral staff to visit or do they offer transportation to churches for example?
It helps to know that the assisted living facility your loved one is at provides them with enough food and drink. Ask if they take care of patients who have special diets. If alcohol is a concern be sure to ask about this because there are some facilities that will not offer alcohol at all.
An individual’s spiritual life is known to be their source of hope, love, compassion and comfort. Spirituality and religious practices tend to be very important especially for elders because the traditions they love and follow offer meaning and purpose as they transition into the next chapter of their lives.
With millions of aged adults retiring yearly, the demand for senior housing continues to grow. Retired adults today do not want to spend their golden years in a boring residence that provides a rocking chair and a knitting yarn. Retirees are energetic and want to live their lives to the fullest.
A majority of retirees also want to spend their post-retirement years around like-minded individuals who share similar values, beliefs, passions and interests. This is where niche assisted living facilities comes in. These communities are put in place to cater to a specific group of aging individuals who are have certain requirements that aren’t widely available in other long-term care facilities.
These communities could be tailored to senior citizens who love to play golf or garden, for example. Similarly, a senior living facility could be associated with a specific church like Jehovah Witnesses or be tailored towards Catholic older adults, Jewish retirees, and Christians. These niche senior living communities enable the elderly to find a place where they feel their heart is at rest. In this guide, we will be focusing on Christian assisted living and retirement communities and will explain what they are all about and the unique services they offer.
Christian assisted living facilities are communities that operate on universal Christian core values. Even though each residence may have different amenities, they base their services on similar Christian values like respect, love and compassion for all human beings. Type of care that residents receive facilitates looking after the entire being, i.e., mind, soul and body in an empathetic manner.
Majority of people who are of the Christian faith believe that by serving others, they are serving God. It means that staff members who are Christians utilize their religious beliefs while caring for occupants in the Christian-based retirement communities.
Christian retirement communities do not differ significantly from other non-faith-based residences. It is because they are all in the business of looking after seniors who are independent but may need some assistance in some areas in their life. The residences appeal to practicing Christians as well as those who find the religion welcoming.
However, the facilities have a unique aspect in that they offer faith-based amenities that may not be readily available in other communities. These may include things like a church inside the compound where inhabitants can often visit to listen to sermons, sing, worship, and hold prayer or bible study groups.
The facilities without a church offer transportation services to ensure that older adults have a place where they can attend their favorite services. They also arrange for pastors and other ministerial groups to visit the retirees who for one reason or the other are not able to get out of their living quarters. This way, all senior residents have an opportunity to fellowship with other believers and receive guidance and counseling.
Additionally, personnel try and create a place that feels like home with things like prayers before meals and religious artwork all over the environment. They organize trips that occupants can benefit from spiritually and try as much as possible to make sure that the aged adults thrive in old age.
Staff members who are not Christian like grounds staff, doctors or nurses are also properly trained to the spiritual needs of the occupants so that they offer their services accordingly. For instance, if a resident feels like they have to pray before a doctor examines them, then the medical experts respect their wishes.
Non-profit organizations run majorities of the Christian-based senior care homes. A Board of Directors govern these facilities to assist with operations.
The communities are mission-driven, and they work hard to carry out values of the Christian faith they represent. Different church organizations also collaborate with the NGO’s to run the daily operations of the homes. They step in to offer a variety of outreach programs that may include health screenings or meals to the seniors. In many cases, local clergy members are members of the board.
The price that aged adults pay to stay in Christian long-term care facilities typically depends on the kind of care that they require. In some cases, however, it may be cheaper to stay in the Christian assisted living homes than in non-religious communities, although each community must be checked and compared individually.
Other factors that may determine the cost include location and specialized care. Retired adults with dementia will pay more because they need more attention from caregivers and require specialized dementia care facilities. Facilities in rural areas also tend to be cheaper than the ones in major towns and cities.
There are numerous reasons why Christian retirees should consider faith-based retirement communities. They have plenty to offer residents including:
The communities cater to retirees who want to prioritize personal spiritual wellness, which can have a significant influence on physical and emotional health. While faith may not be the only thing that can solve problems, it can affect how aging individuals deal with life during difficult moments.
Experts agree that faith can help people cope better with injury or illness and improve mental health which can speed up recovery. When senior citizens are in a healthy and positive mental state, there is a high chance that they can avoid falling sick or falling from depression, stress and anxiety.
Living with other people and staff members who are on the same page in regards to religious beliefs can help a person be more involved in Christianity. There is great security in knowing that one can openly share their beliefs and faith and have discussions about the Bible. Christian senior living communities make it possible for the elderly to hold deep conversations with peers and caregivers who believe in the same things where they can learn a lot from each other.
The communities also open up opportunities to interact with chaplains for prayer or counseling as well as provide easy access to places of worship to grow deeper in faith. Senior citizen occupants also benefit from regular devotional programming and connections to volunteer ministries and local churches to continue with a way of life that they love and appreciate.
Many retired adults resist moving to senior care facilities because they are afraid that they will not be able to go on with their lives without interruptions. When a person knows that they are moving to a place that encourages them to live freely and even go on with their religious practices and other things that they love, there is bound to be far less resistance. They may even look forward to the transition because they know they will be moving to a second home.
As seniors look for a retirement residence that can take care of their physical needs, it is important to also think about spiritual needs. Christian assisted living homes may be the answer that ensures that the entire physical and spiritual needs of seniors are well taken care of to enjoy a blissful retirement.
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