By Greg Pascucci
As we age, health and wellness become more central to how we live, not just in terms of doctor visits or medications, but in our environment, support system and the ability to maintain independence. For those considering a move to a senior living community, it’s essential to look beyond the surface and understand what kind of care is available now and how future needs will be met.
Look for communities that offer both independence and built-in support. Features like licensed care and national accreditation can provide peace of mind, assuring residents and their families that quality care will be available if and when it’s needed.
What is CARF Accreditation—and Why It Matters
CARF International is an independent accreditor of health and human services. While it’s voluntary, CARF accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard in senior living. Communities that seek this designation must meet over a thousand standards related to leadership, care planning, resident rights, health and safety and overall service quality.
Earning CARF accreditation signals that a community is committed to continuous improvement, transparency and resident-centered care. The Carlisle Naples, for example, has been CARF-accredited since 2008 – earning its most recent reaccreditation in 2023 – placing it among a select group of senior living communities nationwide that voluntarily meet these rigorous standards.
Understanding Levels of Care: Independent and Assisted Living
Senior living communities often vary in the levels of care they offer. Two of the most common are Independent Living (IL) and Assisted Living (AL).
Independent Living is ideal for active older adults who want to enjoy a vibrant, maintenance-free lifestyle with access to social activities, dining, transportation and wellness programming.
Assisted Living supports residents who may need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, medication reminders or mobility. Services are personalized and promote dignity and autonomy, allowing residents to continue living as independently as possible with support tailored to their needs.
At The Carlisle Naples, residents benefit from both levels of care “under one roof.” As needs evolve, transitioning from IL to AL can be done without changing surroundings, friendships or routines, offering continuity and peace of mind.
Aging in Place with an ECC License
A unique benefit at The Carlisle Naples is its Extended Congregate Care (ECC) license. An ECC license allows an assisted living community to provide a higher level of nursing and personal care than standard AL communities, so residents can remain in place even as their care needs increase. This means that someone who might otherwise need to move to a nursing home can continue living in the same residence while receiving additional services.
Coordinated Health Support
Another hallmark of a forward-thinking community is access to healthcare providers and resources, which is becoming more common as older adults prioritize convenience and personalized care.
At The Carlisle Naples, Curana Health is the community’s healthcare partner, offering preventative care, seamless care coordination, medication management as well as primary and secondary care services. The community has also partnered with EmpowerMe Wellness, which provides onsite physical, occupational and speech therapy, making it easier to regain strength, balance or mobility after a setback.
What to Ask When Choosing a Community
When exploring senior living options, consider these important questions:
• Is the community CARF-accredited?
• What levels of care are available?
• Does the community hold an ECC license for aging in place?
• Are primary and urgent healthcare services available on-site?
• Is rehab or therapy offered within the community?
Choosing a senior living community where wellness, accreditation and layered care are thoughtfully integrated can make a meaningful difference in how well you live now and in the future. With services designed around dignity, independence and health, the right community offers more than a place to live. It offers a plan for living well, no matter what tomorrow brings.
Located at 6945 Carlisle Court in Naples, The Carlisle offers independent and assisted living lifestyles featuring spacious one-and two-bedroom residences, housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, all utilities except telephone, Zest wellness programming and elevated dining with daily, chef-prepared specials. The community is ECC licensed with an integrated health care clinic and rehabilitative therapies located onsite. The Carlisle Naples is accredited by the National Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an important distinction that provides residents with the assurance that the highest standards of quality care, services and safeguards are maintained. For more information about the community, please call 239-221-0017 or visit www.TheCarlisleNaples.com.
Luxury Rental Retirement Living
6945 Carlisle Court, Naples, FL 34109
239-221-0017 . www.TheCarlisleNaples.com