Discover Why an Assisted Living Community in Tampa Bay is Perfect for You

What does Tampa Bay have to offer?

Well, according to the Tampa.gov website, a lot. In 2022, it was the nation's #1 housing market and the best spot to go on a holiday with pets, and in 2023, it was one of the best summer travel destinations. It's also home to Tampa, consistently ranked as one of the best areas to retire, and the city to which Trinity, FL, is a suburb.

So, if you or a loved one is considering retiring, an assisted living community in Tampa Bay could be a perfect choice.

But what exactly are the benefits of assisted living, and what makes it better than other Tampa Bay senior living options?

To help clarify things, the team at Discovery Village Trinity created this guide exploring assisted living advantages and perks. Read on to discover why this type of senior community is an excellent choice.

Assisted Living vs. Other Senior Living Options

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), there are five different types of senior living options:

Independent living communities
Assisted living communities
Memory care communities
Nursing homes
In-home care

Let's compare them to see how assisted living fares and why it can be a better option.

Assisted Living vs. Independent Living

One of the reasons why assisted living is better than independent living is that it provides a higher level of personalized care services. For example, reputable assisted living communities in Tampa Bay have a team of support associates and licensed nurses available 24/7 to help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Some examples of ADLs are:

Bathing or showering
Personal hygiene and grooming
Moving and transferring
Dressing
Toileting
Eating
Medication management

So, assisted living is a better choice if you or your loved one needs help with any of those activities. Conversely, independent living is a good option for older adults in good health who simply want a maintenance-free lifestyle in a senior-centered community.

Assisted Living vs. Other Elder Care Options

As the NCOA points out, assisted living is more affordable than memory care communities, nursing homes, and in-home care. Here's how they compare:

Assisted living: $4,500 average monthly cost
Memory care: $6,160 average monthly cost
Nursing homes: $9,034 monthly median cost for a private room, $7,908 for a shared one
In-home care: $4,506 monthly median cost (with 40 hours per week)

Memory care and nursing homes are costlier because they provide more specialized care. For example, memory care communities specialize in assisting residents with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Nursing homes are for older adults who need constant monitoring and support beyond what assisted living provides.

In-home care can also be more expensive if you or your older family member needs more than 40 hours a week of companion care. You must also consider the costs of modifying your or your loved one's home to make it safer and more senior-friendly. According to U.S. News and World Report, these renovations have an average cost range of $3,000 to $15,000 but can be as high as $70,000!

Fostering Independence

While assisted living communities provide personalized Tampa Bay elder care services, they also encourage their residents to be as independent as possible for as long as possible. They do this by lifting some of the burden of homeownership, such as housekeeping and maintenance.

For instance, the expert staff at Discovery Village Trinity provides weekly housekeeping and laundry services. We also handle apartment upkeep, and residents can rely on us for 24/7 emergency maintenance.

By taking over housekeeping and maintenance chores, we help our residents spend their time on more engaging, fun, and productive activities. They can take advantage of our many community amenities and services, such as:

The Craft Room for stimulating arts and crafts projects
The Game and Activities Room for fun and rousing brain-boosting games
Our resort-style pool, where residents can enjoy refreshing dips and laps
The Piano Lounge to hit and enjoy some musical notes
The on-site bistro and café, where delicious snacks and drinks are available
The community salon/barbershop, where residents can pamper themselves
Our expertly curated dining menu that offers delicious, hearty, and nutritious meals
The Community Fitness Center, where residents can reach their fitness and wellness goals

Our residents can also rely on our concierge for help with transportation services. They can coordinate rides with our staff if they need to go to their medical checkups or want to go to town for shopping, dining, or an outing.

Encouraging Socialization

Another excellent reason to consider assisted living over in-home care is that communities make socializing simpler for seniors.

While in-home care allows seniors to age in their homes, it can put them at risk of having fewer social connections. Their caregiver may be compassionate and caring but may not always be around, which could make them feel lonely or isolated.

In assisted living communities, residents can meet new people, make friends, and build long-lasting relationships. They can also interact and participate in the various events and activities the community plans for them.

At Discovery Village Trinity, residents can enjoy a full calendar filled with social, recreational, and physical activities. Every day has something different, but to give you an idea, here are some examples:

Walking club
Pool workout
Gym exercises
Tai-chi
Yoga
Movie time
Technology boot camps
Live entertainment
Musical and arts and craft courses
Games like chess, bingo, word puzzles, and trivia
Happy hour

Our expert staff also plans regular trips and outings to the town and local attractions or tourist spots. Our residents can use these times to shop, too.

Enjoy the Benefits of an Assisted Living Community in Tampa Bay

If you (or your older loved one) need help with some ADLs, want to be more social, and wish to engage in more recreational and physical activities, then assisted living is a perfect choice.

Our assisted living community in Tampa Bay, Discovery Village Trinity, looks forward to meeting you or your older family member. As a pet-friendly community, we'll happily welcome your furry family member, too.

So, get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our community and see for yourself how warm, inviting, and comfortable it is.