Spanish-Speaking Assisted Living and Senior Communities

Benefits of Spanish-Speaking Senior Living

Limits confusion

Moving to a new place, meeting new people, and learning how to manage medical conditions can be overwhelming and confusing for anyone. If you add a language barrier, it only becomes more difficult. Choosing a senior living facility with Spanish-speaking staff can help your move go as smoothly as possible. Once settled, you’ll be more comfortable knowing that you can interact with others — everything from expressing medical concerns to picking your meals, or asking about upcoming events — in Spanish.

For those with memory loss, there may be a situation where the patient has learned to speak English, but forgot the language due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. In these cases, it’s more crucial to have a Spanish-speaking senior living facility or around-the-clock Spanish-speaking staff.

Activities offered in Spanish

Many Spanish-speaking senior living communities offer events and activities in Spanish. They’re also more likely to offer food that you’re familiar with, celebrate important cultural holidays, and provide religious services or Bible studies in Spanish.

Easier to connect with others

Having good social relationships is a critical part of aging well. Poor social relationships are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Seniors who experience loneliness may also be more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Living in a senior community where other residents and staff speak the same language can make building strong, social relationships easier. You might also have an easier time finding others who share similar cultural and religious traditions.

Relieves stress on the family

Spanish-speaking senior living facilities offer peace of mind to families. Families know their loved ones will be understood and can express themselves properly. They won’t need to worry about their loved one’s needs being neglected due to a language or cultural barrier.

How Much Does Spanish-Speaking Senior Living Cost?

Spanish-speaking senior living doesn’t cost more than other facilities offering the same care level. Below is a general breakdown of prices for different types of senior care.3 Actual costs vary depending on the individual location.

Seniors who don’t need extra help but want to live among their peers might consider moving into a Spanish-speaking 55+ retirement community. Independent living communities range in cost. Some require you to purchase a house upfront, while others are rented townhomes or apartments. They offer fewer services than other types of senior living, so expect rental prices comparable to conventional apartments. You might also need to pay an HOA fee covering maintenance, events, lawn care, and other community needs or amenities.

How to Pay for Spanish-Speaking Senior Living

Seniors and their families use a variety of means to pay for senior living expenses:

• Medicare may be an option for some skilled nursing facilities but will likely not cover costs at assisted living communities or long-term care facilities.
• Medicaid is decided on a state-by-state basis, so it’s best to check where you live to see what benefits may be available for skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, or memory care.
• Veterans’ benefits may be an option depending on the care type required. You must check to see what your specific benefit plan will cover.
• Long-term care insurance policies vary, but can often cover services and senior living facilities that aren’t covered by Medicare or other government benefits.
• Seniors can also pay out of pocket by selling their homes, cashing in life insurance plans, or using savings, retirement income, or family contributions.

Tips for Finding Spanish-Speaking Assisted Living or Other Senior Facility

Finding a Spanish-speaking senior living community can be tricky. You might have an easier time searching for facilities in geographic areas with a large Hispanic population. Those communities will be more likely to offer services beyond just Spanish-speaking staff. These may include cultural celebrations, Latin cuisine, activities, and religious services in Spanish.

Below are a few other tips for finding Spanish-speaking senior living communities.

1. Search on the internet

You should locate Spanish-speaking senior housing communities with a simple internet search. Here are a few suggested searches:

• Spanish-speaking assisted living in “town name, state name”
• Bilingual assisted living in “town name, state name”
• Nursing homes with multilingual staff in “town name, state name”
• “Spanish” nursing homes near me
• Hispanic retirement communities nearby

2. Call local senior living communities and ask

Even if you don’t see buzzwords like “Spanish-speaking” or “bilingual staff” on a nearby facility’s website, it doesn’t mean they don’t offer those services. We recommend calling local senior living communities that you’re interested in and asking what services they offer for Spanish-speaking seniors.

Some questions that you might want to ask include:

• Do you have Spanish-speaking staff members?
• Which levels of employees speak Spanish? For example, is it just support staff, or also nurses and other medical staff?
• What percentage of other residents speak Spanish?
• What activities does your community offer in Spanish? These can include Catholic Mass, book clubs, or cultural celebrations.
• Can the residents share feedback about the activities, outings, and celebrations they would like to see offered?
• Do you serve Spanish or Latin American cuisine?
• Is your community diverse?

3. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging

Your local area on aging can provide information on senior services available in your area. Visit your local office or call about local Spanish-speaking service providers, community centers, and living options for seniors.

4. Connect with local Spanish senior organizations

Do an internet search for local Hispanic senior centers or other Spanish-speaking senior organizations. These organizations should provide you with additional information about Spanish-speaking senior living facilities in the area. Plus, you may find new opportunities for yourself or your loved one to stay engaged and connected with others who speak Spanish.

Here are a few examples of organizations that cater to Spanish-speaking seniors to give you an idea of what to look for and what services might be offered.

• Hispanic Senior Center: This senior center in the Greater Cleveland area provides recreational and social opportunities for Hispanic seniors. They aim to bring together individuals with a common language and cultural background.
• Hispanic Brotherhood Senior Services: This agency provides meals, recreation opportunities, and activities to seniors in Nassau County, New York. They also provide specialized social services, including document translation and housing referrals.
• Spanish-Speaking Elderly Council RAICES: Founded in 1978, this not-for-profit social services agency responds to the unmet needs of Latino, African American, and low-income aging communities in Brooklyn, New York. The organization runs nine bilingual senior centers and offers bilingual case management services to help seniors secure needed benefits.

5. Get recommendations from friends or acquaintances

We used the tips above to find local Spanish-speaking senior living communities countrywide. While it is only a small sample, we hope it gives you an idea of what you might be able to find in your area.

Where Can I Find Spanish-Speaking Assisted Living?

We used the tips above to find local Spanish-speaking senior living communities across the country. While it is only a small sample, we hope it gives you an idea of what you might be able to find in your area.

Chicago, Illinois

Center Home for Hispanic Elderly 

This facility caters to Hispanic seniors and offers rehab and skilled nursing care after a hospital stay. All staff members are fully bilingual and bicultural at all levels to best meet everyone’s needs. Here, you’ll also find specialized menus and cultural activities.

Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Laurel Ridge Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center 

The center has a Hispanic and Latino Welcome program to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of Spanish-speaking seniors and families. The program features Spanish-speaking staff at all levels, including the program director for the memory care unit. Residents also have access to Spanish TV channels, books, and magazines, plus Spanish cuisine and cultural entertainment and activities.

Brooklyn, New York

Crown Heights Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – Salud Latina

Here, bilingual physicians, nurses, and social workers offer subacute nursing, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care to Hispanic seniors. Residents enjoy religious services in Spanish, authentic Spanish cuisine, and in-room Spanish publications and television channels.

Bronx, New York

San Vicente de Paúl Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Since 1992, families in the Bronx have turned to San Vicente de Paúl for residential skilled nursing services and short-term rehabilitation. This community creates a welcoming environment for Spanish-speaking seniors by serving authentic Latin cuisine, hosting regular events celebrating Hispanic art, music, and culture, and employing multilingual care staff.

Miami, Florida

Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon

This facility offers assisted living, memory care, and short-term care services, including respite care. In 2018, approximately 85 percent of the 350 residents were Hispanic.4 The entire website and a tour video are available in Spanish to make learning about their service easy.

Phoenix, Arizona

La Estancia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Located in an area where most of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, La Estancia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center employs bilingual staff to assist all residents. This skilled nursing facility offers short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and respite care.