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, and Short-term Rehab.
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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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 designed for individuals living with dementia who need additional safety, structure, and support in their daily routines. As memory loss progresses, a person may have difficulty recognizing danger, asking for help, or making basic care decisions on their own.
At Fellowship Square Phoenix, our Memory Care neighborhood, Reflections, provides Level 3 Directed Care, offering personalized assistance with activities such as walking, bathing, dressing, dining, and medication management. The environment is thoughtfully designed to be both secure and comforting, giving residents freedom to move about safely while easing concerns about wandering.
Want to learn more about our approach to Memory Care, available services, and floor plans? Visit our Reflections Memory Care page to explore how we support residents with compassion and dignity.
Short-term rehabilitation provides medical and therapeutic support for individuals recovering from an illness, injury, or hospital stay. The goal is to help patients regain strength, mobility, and independence before returning home or transitioning to another level of care.
Common short-term rehab services include post-stroke recovery, post-surgical care (medical and orthopedic), infectious disease management, respite care, and general inpatient care. This type of post-acute care offers focused recovery and support during a temporary stay.
Learn more about Christian Care's Short-Term Rehab services and how we can support your recovery journey.
