Which Senior Living Option Is Right for Your Mom or Dad?
A Guide for Adult Children Navigating Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care & Skilled Nursing
When the time comes to explore senior living options for your aging parent, it can be emotional, confusing, and overwhelming all at once. How do you know what kind of care they need? What’s the difference between independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing?
At Family Ties Senior Placement Services, we understand the weight of these decisions. As a trusted senior living advisor, we help adult children like you navigate this journey with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of senior living communities—and how to know which one might be the right fit for your parent.
Independent Living: Freedom + Community
Best for: Active, healthy seniors who are still independent but ready to downsize and let go of home maintenance.
What it looks like:
Independent living offers apartment-style living or senior cottages with access to dining, social activities, and amenities. It’s ideal if your parent is lonely, no longer wants the hassle of yard work or cooking, or could benefit from a vibrant community—but doesn’t need daily care.
Why it works:
Social engagement to fight isolation
Maintenance-free living
Optional meals and transportation
How we help: As a senior living advisor, we match your parent’s lifestyle and budget with communities where they can thrive independently—while staying safe and connected.
Assisted Living: Support with Daily Tasks
Best for: Seniors who are mostly independent but need help with everyday activities like bathing, dressing, medication, or mobility.
What it looks like:
In assisted living, your parent still has their own space, but with staff available 24/7 to help with daily tasks. It’s the ideal middle ground—supportive, but not overly clinical.
Why it works:
Personalized care plans
Assistance without sacrificing dignity
Medication reminders and wellness checks
How we help: Our Senior Living Advisor discusses your parent’s physical and cognitive needs, then recommends assisted living communities that feel like home—just with a little extra help built in.
Memory Care: Safety and Support for Dementia
Best for: Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia who need structured, secure care from trained professionals.
What it looks like:
Memory care communities are specially designed to keep your parent safe, comfortable, and engaged. Staff are trained in dementia care, and daily activities are tailored to preserve memory and reduce anxiety.
Why it works:
Safe, secure environments
Staff trained in memory support
Focused on quality of life, not just supervision
How we help: We know this transition can be especially emotional. As senior living advisors, we walk with families every step of the way, ensuring your loved one receives compassionate, specialized care.
Skilled Nursing: 24/7 Medical and Rehab Care
Best for: Seniors with complex medical conditions, recent hospitalizations, or ongoing rehabilitation needs.
What it looks like:
Skilled nursing (also known as a nursing home) provides around-the-clock medical supervision, physical therapy, and personal care. It’s the right choice if your parent requires frequent medical attention or has been discharged from the hospital and needs recovery time.
Why it works:
On-site nurses and therapists
Full medical support
Focus on healing and stability
How we help: We guide families through the logistics and emotional aspects of skilled care—making sure your parent is in safe, capable hands.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
At Family Ties Senior Placements, we know you want the best for your parent—but this journey can be filled with many unknowns. That’s where a senior living advisor steps in: to listen, explain, and walk alongside you.
We’re not just placing seniors—we’re helping families make some of life’s most important decisions.
Let’s Talk About What’s Next—for You and Your Parent
Whether you’re just starting to explore options or urgently need placement, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us for a free, no-pressure consultation
💬 We’ll talk about your parent’s needs and what communities make sense.
🏠 Then we help schedule tours, answer questions, and support you all the way through move-in day.
👉 Contact Family Ties, Senior Placement Services
📞 402.305.8195
🌐 www.familytiesseniorplacements.com
📍 Serving families throughout Nebraska
