Types of Assisted Living Facilities in Palm Springs

As one of the United State's top cities in which to retire, Palm Springs, California, has every type of elder care facility available from luxurious 55+ plus communities and resorts to simple and comfortable board and care homes. However, if you are looking for assisted living, Palm Springs has that covered, too.

About Palm Springs 

Comparatively speaking, Palm Springs is a small city with roughly 45,000 residents, more than 25 percent are older than 65. Seniors move to this area of Southern California not only because of its abundance of outdoor and cultural activities, but because the weather is mild year-round. Palm Springs has more than 350 days a year of sunny weather. Temperatures range from the mid- 70s during the winter to triple digits during the summer. For those used to frigid, snowy winters, Palm Springs is a welcome change.

Because of its location and proximity to the Los Angeles area, Palm Springs is a haven for retired celebrities. Over the years, this area of Southern California was home to Bob Hope, former President Gerald Ford, Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Loretta Young, Dean Martin and many more. Of course, it pays to have this type of stardom in your backyard.

Palm Springs' cost of living is almost 18 percent higher than the U.S. average, meaning some of those costs roll over to the price of elder care, including assisted living.

About Assisted Living in Palm Springs 

There are more than 100 assisted living and residential care facilities in Palm Springs, some of which are luxurious while others are low-cost residences. However, all offer the same basic services as outlined by the California Department of Social Services, which oversees this type of elder care in the state.

Assisted living combines minimal healthcare, support services and housing for seniors who require a little extra assistance to make it through the day. They can receive help with:

• Meals
• Medication management
• Dressing
• Transportation
• Bathing
• Mobility
• Incontinence

The goal is to offer each individual ways to remain autonomous while maximizing his or her independence, safety and privacy.

Facilities in Palm Springs for assisted living include single, one-bedroom apartments, group residential care homes and small board and care facilities. Some provide just the basic services while others offer more such as medical services, planned activities, hair salons, shopping trips, gatherings with friends and families, etc.

Living in Palm Springs 

Palm Springs offers seniors a chance to relax when they retire. Even in assisted living facilities, residents still have a chance to get out and enjoy everything the city has to offer from great parks, enjoyable weather (most of the year) and a diverse amount of cultural activities from food festivals to art shows to golf tournaments.

Popularity of Board and Care Homes in Orange County, California

As the number of senior citizens continues to increase, the need for all types of elder care is imminent. From residential care facilities to skilled nursing centers, large urban areas seeing a growing trend in the number and type of facilities sought by its aging population.

For example, take popular retirement location of Orange County, California. Just like anywhere else in the state, the goal of an elder care facility is to help seniors remain as independent as possible for as long as possible, preferably in their own homes or similar settings. When living alone is no longer an option, board and care homes are the next best thing. They allow seniors to live intimate, residential care settings, similar to their own houses, and receive 24/7 help from caregivers.

Facts About Orange County's Senior Population

Orange County is California's third largest county in terms of population. As of the 2010 census, there were roughly 350,000 senior citizens residing within the county. By 2030, that number is expected to double. While many of these seniors are native to the state, many come here to retire mainly because the weather is nice year-round. Top-notch medical facilities and the number of readily available leisure and cultural activities are other draws.

Most older adults live in the southeast region of Orange County mainly because of the large amount of retirement communities and board and care facilities. However, larger numbers of seniors are found living in:

• Laguna Woods
• Seal Beach
• Newport Beach
• Anaheim
• Garden Grove
• Huntington Beach
• Santa Ana

Typically, in communities where there is a larger amount of seniors residing, more elder care facilities are also found. Board and care homes are no exception to this, especially since there are more of these types of facilities in Southern California than nursing homes and larger residential communities combined.

Orange County's Board and Care Homes

Most of the county's board and care homes are single family, private residences transformed into care facilities. Licensed by the California Department of Social Services, each home typically accepts up to six residents at one time, although there are facilities available that have licenses for more residents. 

Unless the facility has a licensed nurse on staff, residents in board and care homes are under the guidance of a full-time caregiver. This setting is good for elderly persons who need a high level of care, who are very frail or who are not able to safely take care of their daily living activities. While remaining independent is a goal, it is not expected.

Assisted Living: One Senior Living Option for Baby Boomers

Attention baby boomers: It's not too early to start thinking about your future -- not only when and where to retire, but the type of elder care arrangements to make if the time comes. One of the more popular types of senior housing to consider is assisted living. Even though you can't foresee your physical or emotional state down the road, you can get some ideas together on what to look for in an assisted living facility. Going into this quest armed with knowledge and common sense will help you put a plan in place so you can enjoy your golden years. The key is finding the right place where you can feel well cared for and comfortable.

Understanding Assisted Living 

There are several types of assisted living facilities available throughout the United States. Determining the level of care needed is key to finding the right home. Keep these questions in mind when doing your research. Establish if assistance needed with:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Medication disbursement
• Meal preparation
• Household chores
• Running errands
• Medical or financial decisions

If you can answer yes, a conventional assisted living or similar residential care facility is a choice to consider. Assisted living facilities help elderly residents with various daily living activities. Residents can live in large multi-room facilities or smaller private facilities. They can receive as much or as little help as necessary. Those in assisted living facilities still retain some level of independence while receiving help with activities and tasks. These types of facilities range in size from 20 beds up to more than 200 beds.

An alternative to traditional assisted living is board and care. This refers to a licensed residential care facility (aka assisted living facility) that provides non-medical custodial care to senior citizens who need help with their daily living activities. The difference between this and typical assisted living or residential care facilities is that board and care homes are usually private family residences, usually with six or fewer individuals living there. The number of residents depends on the home's state license.

Special Needs Facilities 

One of the most shocking pieces of news to hear as a senior citizen is learning that you have Alzheimer's disease or dementia. While these degenerative, memory-impairing disorders are debilitating, there's no need to rush off to an Alzheimer's care facility right away. There are some assisted living facilities where patients with memory impairments share facilities or homes with those individuals who don't have it.

Known as Special Care Units (SCUs), these are sections of assisted living facilities where those with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or similar disorder reside. There is specialized care and activities throughout the day and night. However, residents share common areas such as dining rooms, courtyards or living rooms. This gives these older adults a sense of still belonging with their peers.

Don't Wait 

Just as you would prepare a living trust, will or even an advance directive, you should consider choosing elder care before you really need it. Assisted living is just one type of senior housing available. It all depends your needs at the time. Doing your homework will not only give you peace of mind, but also lessen the burden your children, spouse or other family members will have if they need to make this decision for you.

Moving to an Assisted Living Retirement Community

Once you or your loved one decides to move to an assisted living retirement community, the next step is to determine which belongings stay and which ones go. Can you take all your furniture? Is it wise to take all of your valuables?

These guidelines can help you or a loved one decide on how to make this transition to an elder care facility easier by keeping as many personal belongings as possible. However, the new residence is probably a downsize from the current one, so chances are there isn't enough room for everything.

Can You Bring Your Own Furniture? 

There are several styles of assisted living retirement homes available ranging from shared-bedroom group homes to single living studio apartments. Unless you are coming from a small apartment to begin with, you probably can't bring all of your own furniture to your new home. 

To get an idea what you can bring, take a good look at your living space and if possible, get a detailed floor plan or go in and have a friend or family member measure the room (or rooms). Many times, the residences already come furnished with beds, dressers, lamp tables, etc. Even if you move into a board and care style facility, the home is already furnished by the owner. However, if permitted, feel free to bring a special piece of furniture such as a rocking chair, television or mini-refrigerator. 

Ditch Some of the Clothes? 

You may not have a lot of closet space in your new community, so choose your wardrobes wisely. All of the clothing and shoes you bring to your new home needs to fit in the alloted dresser and closet space.

Since there is limited available space, even in a one-bedroom apartment, consider leaving some off-season clothing with a friend, relative or in storage. As a rule, you should have enough clothing for two full weeks, including nightwear, undergarments and hosiery. If housekeeping does laundry once a week, then you still have at least seven more days of clothing left.

Buying a Second Home: Income, Getaway or Retirement

Should You Worry About Your Valuables? 

Comfort is key when it comes to moving to any new home. However, you also want to make sure your valuables don't go missing either. Some jewelry, prized possessions, photographs, books and other treasures are good to take. They will help you feel more comfortable in your new surroundings. Nonetheless, be careful of the amount of jewelry you bring. If you are going to wear it, then bring it. If not, then leave it behind in storage or hand it down to a family member as an heirloom.

As for cash, some retirement facilities allow residents to carry it for shopping trips, on-site vending machines, hair appointments, etc. However, many places recommend that residents bring very little money to their new home. Many assisted living facilities also have a "bank accounts" so their residents can withdraw small amounts of money when needed.

What About Toiletries and Medication? 

You or your loved one should bring many of the necessary toiletries including shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant. Hygienic products such as incontinence supplies are typically provided when prescribed by a physician. Some assisted living facilities have caregivers to dispense prescribed and over-the-counter medications while others allow residents to keep them in their rooms. You will need to check the facility's policy on this.

Final Note: Label Your Belongings 

Everything -- from socks to bookmarks -- has a label with the resident's full name and room number. Use a Sharpie or label maker. Especially if you or your loved is having memory impairment issues, it's best to have all the belongings marked if they go missing.