Deciding to move into a senior living community is no easy task. It requires seniors and their loved ones to consider moving from a longtime family home and into a new, unfamiliar world. And you need to make decisions about healthcare, living costs, and what’s best for the senior in question. There are many different types of senior living communities – you can find them online with a search right now.
Trying to choose the right senior living option takes time and plenty of research. If you’re wondering where to begin the process, you’ll want to start by searching online for senior living in your area.
Once you begin considering different senior living options, make sure to think about the following important factors.
Decide Which Type of Senior Living Environment is Right for You
First and foremost, you’ll want to determine which kind of senior living community is the right one for you. There are so many different options that it’s tough to choose. But each senior living community offers unique benefits and unique opportunities.
Here’s a brief look at a few of the different types of senior living environments.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is a type of senior living that includes daily care. In this environment, seniors live in an apartment or suite and receive help with tasks like meal preparation, daily medication, mobility, bathing, and getting dressed. Caregivers work with seniors who need consistent help, and health is monitored.
Independent Senior Living
In an independent senior living environment, older adults live on their own with little help. Seniors will enjoy living in a 55+ apartment or townhome, where they can socialize with peers and participate in activities, travel, and a strong sense of community. Seniors who are active and independent, who can manage their own personal care and medications, are best suited for this kind of senior living.
Memory Care
Memory care is a very specialized type of senior living. It’s designed for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or another related illness. In a memory care facility, seniors have round-the-clock supervision from medical professionals. They participate in programs aimed at helping their memory issues and managing any difficult behaviors. It’s best for seniors who can no longer live on their own or with family members.
There are other types of senior living communities too. Senior apartments, nursing homes, and senior co-housing are other options that may be a good fit for some seniors. Make sure to consider every kind of senior community before narrowing down your options.
Visit Different Senior Living Facilities
Once you’ve decided on a type of senior living community, it’s time to visit a few. Visits are critical. They help you get a feel for what it’s like to live in a specific senior community or facility, and they allow you to see the place in action on a normal day.
You should pick a few different senior living facilities and schedule two visits if you can – one during the day and one at night. Try to make sure your visits happen during mealtime so you can experience what meals are like and how seniors and staff interact.
While you’re on your visits, make sure to ask plenty of questions. You should ask about schedules, staffing during the day and night, and the qualifications or certifications of staff members. Use both visual and physical observation. You should touch surfaces to see if they’re clean, smell for any bad odors, and look for signs of proper maintenance. Observe how staff and residents interact, and see how staff treat the seniors under their care.
Make sure to look for the following at each senior living facility you visit:
- Cleanliness
- Common areas like dens and living rooms
- Easy-to-follow floor plans
- Rooms and their sizes
- Bathrooms with safety additions like handrails and call buttons
- Security, such as door and window locks
- Available services, like salons or cafes
- Lighting in critical areas like hallways and stairways
- A complaint or grievance process
You can also speak with the residents during your visit. Try to get as much insight into daily life at each senior living community as possible. You want to know what it’ll be like to live there, and if it’s a place you’ll enjoy and feel comfortable.
Consider the Cost
Lastly, one of the most important factors in choosing a senior living community is the cost. Senior living costs anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 per month on average. That’s why it’s so important to assess whether or not you can afford the price of the senior living community you’ve chosen.
From assisted living to senior apartments, senior living is expensive. However, if you do your research, you may be able to find financial help. Before you settle on a particular senior living community, make sure to search online and see what cost savings or financial assistance may be available to you.
You can look for senior housing financing via:
- Long-term care insurance, which often covers assisted living.
- Medicaid, which varies from state to state.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, which can help former service members with assisted living.
You can also search online for local resources in your area that may better meet your needs.