Levels of Care, Explained
"Senior Living" and "Retirement Living" are broad terms used to describe a range of senior living services. Both phrases are used most frequently (and interchangeably) by senior communities that offer different levels of senior care on one campus.
On this page, we will dive into the full range of senior living options and levels of care – exploring the differences between each, as well as services provided and admission requirements (if applicable).
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A Continuing Care Retirement Community, with no entrance fees
As residents' health conditions change, they may need to move to a higher level of care. Some senior living communities have several levels of care on one campus, while others have only one. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), on the other hand, offer the full continuum of senior living options on one campus. While many CCRCs have an entrance fee that must be paid upon move-in, some do not.
Christian Care Fellowship Square Phoenix is a rental CCRC, meaning we do not charge an entrance fee upon move-in. We have both private pay and subsidized senior living options, and we offer the full continuum of care: Independent and Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Home Health services.
Residents in Independent Living can generally live without in-home care, while others may need additional help now and then. (More information on that later!)
Independent Living is perfect for seniors who want to let go of household chores associated with living in a single-family home or a condo. They want to enjoy their independence, maintain their health and wellness, while still having peace of mind knowing they have supportive services available should they ever need them.
In Independent Living, a resident's monthly rent covers a wide range of services and amenities*, such as a certain number of meals per month, scheduled transportation, security, and emergency call systems, housekeeping services, maintenance, and more.
*Amenities and services differ between subsidized and private pay senior living.
There are very few requirements for Independent Living, with an age requirement being the most common.
At Christian Care Manors and Fellowship Square Phoenix, residents must be 62 and older. Independent Living is best for seniors who can perform daily living activities with only minimal assistance. However, should they need a little extra support, Home Health services can be a valuable tool in helping residents maintain their independence, health, and overall wellness.
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Supportive Services and Home Health Care
Sometimes referred to as "in-home care," Home Health and Supportive Services provide seniors with the extra support they may need to maintain their independence and live safely in their Independent Living apartment. Services can be provided on an as-needed or monthly basis, for brief or extended periods of time. Supportive Services are private pay and are performed by licensed CNAs and certified caregivers.
Home Health Care refers to skilled nursing services that an RN or LPN provides in the comfort of the resident's home. Medicare and many other insurance plans will cover skilled services. For more information on the services we provide, how to sign up, and insurance coverage, please visit our Healthcare Services page, or call us directly at 602-443-5447.
At a certain point, a resident may need more assistance than what can be safely provided in Independent Living, even with additional services. In such cases, Assisted Living becomes ideal for seniors who need increased support in their day-to-day lives but do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care.
Assisted Living provides a more robust package of amenities, including three meals a day plus snacks, 24-hour caregiver assistance, weekly housekeeping, laundry, and more. Depending on the level of Assisted Living services the resident needs, caregivers provide extra help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and grooming, incontinence management, and medication management.
On our Phoenix campus, we provide three levels of Assisted Living Care for seniors 62 and older: Supervisory Care, Personal Care, and Directed Care.
Before admission, the resident will complete a health assessment with the Assisted Living Director to determine which level of care will best fit the resident's needs. Receiving the right level of care is essential to maintaining their health and wellness, wherever it might be. There have been instances in which a resident's health has improved to the point where they drop down to a lower level of care.
Once the appropriate level of care is determined, the care plan is reviewed with the resident and/or the resident's representative upon admission.
Memory Care is appropriate for those who are in the advanced stages of dementia, they may be unable to recognize danger, summon assistance on their own or make basic care decisions.
Our Memory Care unit, Reflections at The Oasis, provides Level 3 Direct Care. Secure Memory Care units offer an added layer of security, especially if wandering becomes a concern.
In Directed Care, certified caregivers provide a higher level of assistance with activities of daily living such as ambulation, bathing, toileting, dressing, selecting menu items in the dining room, and medication management.
We encourage you to visit our Assisted Living with Memory Care page for more complete details on the services we provide, our approach to care, and review prices and floor plans.
Skilled Nursing Facilities, also known as Skilled Nursing Centers, provide 24-hour care for either short-term rehabilitation or long-term care.
Christian Care Health Center, Skilled Nursing
After surgery or a hospital stay, short-term rehab in a Skilled Nursing Center is especially helpful (or even necessary) to make a successful transition home. Physical therapy and post-hospital care are just a few of the healthcare services provided in a Skilled Nursing Facility.
Skilled Nursing Facilities are also appropriate for individuals with a medical condition that requires 24-hour long-term care. For those who qualify, long-term care may be covered by Medicaid (ALTCS in Arizona) if care is provided in a nursing home setting and not at home.
