Choosing a senior living community for a loved one is usually framed as a fraught process. However, it doesn't have to be that way. In today's senior living, the options for care are more numerous than ever. With a little planning, knowledge, and testing you can find the best fit for yourself or your loved ones without a long drawn out process.
What Community is Best?
We want the best for ourselves and our loved ones. When choosing senior living, it is smart to turn to reviews and local referral sources to find the most well-regarded communities near you. Many communities will have satisfaction survey results for you to look over that can give you a good idea of the lifestyle and care provided. However, just because one community was not a fit for one person or isn't a favorite of a referrer, doesn't mean it won't be a fit for your personality and needs. In order to make a truly educated decision, its best to do a lot of your own homework.
What Can We Afford?
Many people are taken back by some of the senior housing prices. However, prices can vary drastically from one area to the next. And the senior living market is competitive, its best to shop around and not get discouraged by one price point. Another reason that senior living prices can be high is that they are all-inclusive. What do you or a parent pay in a month for food, utilities, insurance, even taxes? Roll all of your current monthly expenses into one bill, and the prices start to make more sense. Find a number you are comfortable with and shop communities near you that fit that budget.
Visit Facilities
One of the best ways to find what community will fit your lifestyle, is by going to visit. Depending on your own personality and your care needs, you can start to narrow the list by going on tours or trying (a more recent trend) of staying overnight or the weekend. By doing this you can start to get a feel for how active or social a community is all the time. Maybe they have a quiet library that appeals to your need for space, or they don't have a swimming pool which is a no-go. Start to list the amenities that you can or can't live without and your community list will start to show some clear winners.
Move-In Process
Another important aspect of choosing a community is understanding their move-in process. The idea in choosing a community is improved quality of life. If their move-in process doesn't take into account you or your loved one's needs and preferences, you may want to second guess your choice. Reputable communities will have a meeting to discuss your own personal care needs, services, and amenities. This should be a family conversation in order for personal care needs or perceived care needs to be discussed. Good communities will then shape a care plan around the new resident's specified preferences. If your community is missing this step, it may not be a disqualifier, but should be something you address before you put your deposit down.
Happy in a New Home
The whole idea of moving into an independent, assisted, or memory care community is finding a home that fits you or your loved one. It should be a place that caters to their needs physically, mentally, and spiritually. Finding the right fit can be stressful, but it can also be fun. Just like house-hunting is both fun and a little daunting. Approaching the senior living search with the right tools, education, and attitude can change it into an easy, enjoyable process that helps you or a loved one live a better quality of life.