Fairway Pines at Sun 'N Lake

Fairway Pines at Sun 'N Lake is an Independent Living community.

When cooking meals, cleaning the house, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, and taking care of home repairs becomes burdensome, many seniors choose to move to an Independent Living Community (often referred to as a Retirement Community) to enjoy a carefree, retirement lifestyle.

This senior living option focuses on enjoying one's retirement. Most communities offer a myriad of amenities such as indoor pools, fitness and wellness centers, restaurant style dining, computer and business centers, well-stocked libraries, home theaters and walking paths - along with a wide range of individual and group leisure activities.

Convenience services such as meals, maintenance, grounds keeping, transportation, 24-hour security, and housekeeping and linen services are offered as part of the monthly fee or on an optional basis for an additional cost. Housing options may vary from freestanding, single-family homes to townhouses or apartments.

Fairway Pines at Sun 'N Lake is an Assisted Living facility.

Seniors living in Assisted Living Residences are unable to live independently, but do not need nursing home care. Assisted Living is a home-like, congregate housing option that provides meals, housekeeping, laundry, personal care, health care services and social activities in a supportive setting.

The goal of Assisted Living is to maximize a resident's dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice and safety.

Assisted Living Residences provide transportation, 24-hour security with staff available at all times, and access to on-site or nearby health and medical services. Assisted Living Residences strive to keep residents as active and involved as possible through educational, spiritual, social and recreational programs.

Individuals residing in Assisted Living Residences usually have their own suites or apartments complete with a mini-kitchen and private bathroom, in addition to sleeping and living areas. Some choose to share their residences with a spouse or a roommate.

There are Assisted Living Residences that offer dementia care. This is typically provided in a separate and secure "Memory Care Neighborhood." There are a small number of Assisted Living Residences where the entire facility is devoted to providing a supportive environment for those with memory challenges.

Assisted Living Residences typically offer a rental arrangement, with residents or their families paying the entire cost privately. Depending upon the terms of the policy, long term care insurance may pay for Assisted Living. Some states have Medicaid Waiver Programs that are designed to help lower-income seniors reside in an Assisted Living Residence. Many, but not all states, license and/or certify Assisted Living Residences.

For more information on Assisted Living Facilities, visit the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) at www.alfa.org.