Investigating the Terminology of Senior Living in Crossville, TN
Key Takeaways
- Preserve at Fairfield Glade is a senior living community in Crossville, TN, backed by Liberty Senior Living’s more than 150 years of experience across 15+ communities in five states.
- Senior living terminology has changed. Words from past generations often carry a negative connotation that doesn’t reflect today’s vibrant communities.
- Assisted Living, Independent Living, Skilled Nursing and CCRC/Life Plan Community all mean different things, and understanding the difference helps you make the right choice.
Why Senior Living Terms Matter
It’s likely that as you begin investigating senior living for yourself or a loved one, the associated terminology can be confusing. It’s vernacular, much of which you might not come across in typical everyday life. Yet, at the time you start the process of researching senior living, the jargon is critical to understand.
It’s important to know the terminology for two major reasons.
First, it will help you better understand your options and all of their components in order to ultimately make an informed decision that is right for you or your loved one. There are many different types of senior living communities, amenities, features and services that you’ll want to know about.
A less apparent reason for understanding the terminology is that the lingo used in past generations is reflective of those time periods, but not the vibrant, engaging senior living offerings of today. Consequently, the words used in the past often suggest one’s negative impression or experience rather than today’s reality.
Types of Senior Living
There are a number of senior living options, and it’s essential to understand what differentiates them.
What Is a 55+ Community or Active Adult Community?
A 55+ or active adult community is an age-restricted residential community for older adults able to care for themselves. These typically do not provide the amenities or services that senior living communities offer.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living is a level of senior living for people who benefit from help with activities of daily living (ADLs), though it’s often used inaccurately as an umbrella term for senior living in general. Assisted Living provides residences, meals, transportation, housekeeping, access to programs and opportunities for socialization.
In addition, other services such as medication set-up and management, assistance in getting to and from activities and dining areas, as well as daily check-ins, may also be available. Assisted Living is available in different types of communities, including stand-alone, combination Assisted Living and Memory Support/Care, or as part of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), which provides multiple levels of care.
An important consideration about the optimum Assisted Living programs is that they’re developed so that residents receive the assistance they need to continue an independent and vibrant lifestyle.
What Is a CCRC or Life Plan Community?
A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), also known as a Life Plan Community, offers Independent Living with options to access increased assistance and support if and when needed, often without having to leave one’s community. CCRCs often provide Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support/Care, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing.
What Is the Equity Model?
In an equity model, residents benefit from individual ownership of their residence, creating an investment in their future. As owners, they realize market value, have an impact on the community and how it operates, and can decorate however they’d like, all while enjoying the amenities of the community.
What Is Independent Living?
Independent Living is for older adults who are able to live independently and want opportunities to truly enjoy their lives. Not only do residents in the best Independent Living communities not give up independence, but they also actually gain the chance to live their lives more freely. With flexible dining programs, maintenance, housekeeping and security all provided, residents are freed from the burdens of home ownership.
On-site amenities often include pools, fitness centers, libraries, salons and more, so while residents can come and go as they please, they often have everything they want within steps of their residence. Programming such as lifelong learning, fitness classes, performing arts and more helps promote an engaging lifestyle.
Types of residences vary per community and may include apartments, freestanding cottages, townhomes, flats, etc.
Life Plan Communities, also known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), provide Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support/Care, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing. They may be rental or require the payment of an entrance fee, and thus provide access to increased levels of care should their needs change.
What Is Memory Support or Memory Care?
Memory Support/Memory Care refers to specialized services for residents of senior living communities with cognitive impairment in a safe and structured environment. Not all Memory Support/Care providers are the same. The best Memory Support and Memory Care communities offer person-centered programs focusing on residents’ individual interests and abilities.
What Is a Nursing Home?
“Nursing home” is an umbrella term often used inaccurately to describe all residential communities for older adults. Nursing homes, in reality, are specifically for older adults unable to care for themselves and require full-time monitoring and medical assistance, but not hospitalization. Also known as Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), nursing homes provide skilled health and personal care, three meals a day, 24-hour supervision, planned programming, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and Rehabilitation.
What Are Rental Senior Living Communities?
Rental senior living communities allow residents to pay a monthly fee rather than committing to a substantial upfront investment, such as buy-in communities. Rental senior living communities may or may not offer continuing levels of care.
What Are Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)?
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), also known as nursing homes, are designed for older adults unable to care for themselves who require full-time monitoring and medical assistance but not hospitalization. Skilled Nursing, which is a level of care in a CCRC, provides health and personal support, three meals a day, 24-hour supervision, planned programming, assistance with activities of daily living and Rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What levels of care does Preserve offer?
Preserve at Fairfield Glade offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing and Respite Care, all on one campus in Crossville, TN, so residents can access more support without changing communities.
How far is Crossville from Knoxville?
Crossville, TN, is about 75 miles from Knoxville, with Chattanooga about 80 miles away and Nashville about 120 miles away, making Preserve accessible for family visits from across the region.
Does Preserve offer short-term respite care?
Yes. Respite Care at Preserve at Fairfield Glade provides professional, short-term care in a safe, supportive environment, giving family caregivers time to recharge or travel with peace of mind.
Discover the Right Senior Living Option for You
Finding the right senior living option begins with understanding your choices.
At Preserve at Fairfield Glade, we’re here to guide you through every level of care, from Independent Living to Assisted Living, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing.
Request a brochure today to discover how our welcoming community can support your lifestyle and needs.