Senior Living FAQs

Independent Living is a housing option for older adults who want a maintenance-free lifestyle with access to services like dining, housekeeping and social activities. It’s ideal for those who are active and self-sufficient but want to enjoy community living.

There are a few common types:

• Active Adult Communities (55+ or 62+): Age-restricted neighborhoods for independent, active adults. These typically do not include healthcare services.
• Communities with a Continuum of Care: Include Independent Living with access to care services like Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing.
• Rental Communities: Offer Independent Living with services and amenities, typically without a large upfront cost.

Each option varies in age requirements, services and cost structure. Brightmore of South Charlotte is a rental senior living community that offers a continuum of care including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation..

Independent Living offers a maintenance-free lifestyle, social engagement, distinctive dining options and access to amenities while maintaining independence.

Costs vary by location, type of community, size of residence, as well as the services and amenities that are offered.

Each community, dependent on type, will offer a variety of services including dining, housekeeping, transportation, maintenance, utilities, cable, WIFI, salon/spa, social activities and wellness programs. Each community may vary what they offer.

Assisted Living is a great long term senior care option if an individual is largely independent but could use help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These may bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring (moving from one position to another) and maintaining continence.

Assisted Living provides help with daily activities while promoting independence, whereas nursing homes offer 24/7 medical care for those with complex health needs.

Assisted Living provides personalized services with support for activities of daily living. Examples include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring (moving from one position to another) and maintaining continence. Assisted Living communities like The Terrace are designed to provide support while also maintaining and promoting independence for the resident.

Memory Support is care for individuals with dementia or other cognitive impairment in a secure and structured environment. At The Terrace, residents are provided with specialized programming, and support is delivered by staff trained to care for those with cognitive impairment.

Assisted Living provides oversight and support with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and medication management. Memory Support provides this same care along with enhanced security, structured routines and specialized care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Alzheimer’s care is a type of Memory Support specifically designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s, while Memory Support supports those with various cognitive impairments, including dementia.

When a loved one’s safety, well-being or daily functioning is at risk due to dementia-related challenges like wandering, confusion or difficulty managing daily tasks.

When they require 24/7 supervision, struggle with daily tasks or show signs of wandering, confusion or behavioral changes that impact safety.

Costs vary based on location, level of care and amenities, but typically range from $6,000 to $11,000 per month. To learn more about Brightmore of South Charlotte or The Terrace’s pricing, please reach out to be connected to a Sales Advisor.

The most common types of dementia include:

• Alzheimer’s disease: The most prevalent form of dementia, marked by gradual memory loss, confusion and changes in thinking and behavior. It’s caused by abnormal protein buildup in the brain that disrupts cell function.
• Vascular dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often following a stroke or series of small strokes. Symptoms can include difficulty with problem-solving, slowed thinking and memory issues.
• Lewy body dementia: Associated with abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. It can cause visual hallucinations, sleep disturbances, movement issues and fluctuations in attention or alertness.
• Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): A group of disorders caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It often leads to personality changes, difficulty with language and impulsive behavior, usually at a younger age than other dementias.

Each type affects the brain differently and requires tailored approaches to care and support.

Early (mild memory loss), middle (increased confusion and difficulty with tasks) and late (severe impairment and full-time care needed).

Provide a structured routine, encourage engagement, ensure safety and seek professional support when needed.

A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is a healthcare community that provides 24/7 medical care by a licensed nursing team and other trained staff to assist individuals recovering from illness, surgery or managing chronic conditions. SNFs like The Pavilion Health Center offer short-term stays with rehabilitation services and/or long-term care.

These stays can be categorized as:

• Acute care, which involves intensive, short-term treatment for severe or urgent medical conditions following hospitalization
• Sub-acute care, which is less intensive but still requires skilled services such as physical therapy, wound care or IV management during recovery

Skilled Nursing helps bridge the gap between hospital and home, offering the support needed for a safe and effective recovery.

To restore function, improve mobility, enhance independence and support overall recovery and well-being in order to achieve the highest level of function for an individual.

Rehabilitation helps individuals realize their best life possible. This care is designed for those recovering from surgery, injury, stroke or illness who need therapy to regain mobility, strength, and daily living skills.

Rehabilitative therapy service may include speech/language therapy, cognitive therapy, respiratory therapy, recreational therapy, vocational therapy, pain therapy, cardiac therapy. Services range from community to community.

Rehabilitative services, like those offered at The Pavilion Health Center, focus on helping individuals recover after an illness, injury or surgery through therapies such as physical, occupational and speech therapy. While many rehabilitation stays are short-term, some individuals may require extended care depending on their progress and condition.

Nursing homes, on the other hand, provide long-term nursing care for individuals with chronic medical conditions, disabilities or those who require ongoing assistance with daily activities.

Medicare does not cover long-term residential dementia care, but it may cover medical services related to dementia, including inpatient hospital care for dementia-related conditions and hospice care at the end of life.

Each individual living with dementia has unique needs. Medicare provides coverage for certain services, primarily those offered in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities (long-term care).

Each individual living with Alzheimer’s has unique needs. Medicare provides coverage for certain services, primarily those offered in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities (long-term care).

Costs vary by location but typically range from $4,500 to $12,000 per month. Be sure to confirm whether pricing shared includes both room/board plus care. To learn more about The Terrace’s pricing, please reach out to be connected to a Sales Advisor.

Medicare covers up to 100 days in a Skilled Nursing Facility per benefit period if medically necessary.

Yes, for up to 100 days, if it is medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor.

No, Medicare does not cover Independent Living.

No, Medicare does not cover Assisted Living costs, but it may cover certain medical services within an Assisted Living community.

In some states, Medicaid offers waivers that help cover some Assisted Living costs (personal care, homemaker services, emergency response team), but it does not pay for room and board.

Yes, Medicaid can cover long-term care in a Medicaid Approved Skilled Nursing Facility for eligible individuals for up to 100 days.

Yes, Medicaid can cover long-term care in a Skilled Nursing Facility for eligible individuals for up to 100 days.

Costs range from $8,000 to $16,000+ per month, depending on location and level of care. To learn more about The Pavilion Health Center’s pricing, please reach out to be connected to a Sales Advisor. 

Medicare covers medical costs but not long-term residential Memory Support.

Options include private funds, long-term care insurance and veterans’ benefits.