Your Guide to Navigating Assisted Senior Living Choices
For most people, moving into an assisted living community is a huge step. However, it doesn't need to be difficult, and according to Ruby Home, about 818,000 Americans currently live in assisted living communities.
There's a lot to think about before making this shift. If your loved one is approaching the time to find an assisted living community, it's important to find the right one. Doing this can take some work, but it's well worth putting the effort in.
There are plenty of factors you can take into consideration. It's important to do this and compare your options to make sure you find somewhere suitable for your loved one.
So how can you navigate the many assisted living options and find one that's just right? Keep reading through this senior living guide to find out.
Location
One of the first things to think about is the location of assisted living communities. You may want to make sure your loved one is somewhere near to you as well as any other family members and friends.
Being able to visit them with ease can be a huge bonus. They may also want to be near other things such as shopping areas, parks, and more.
Levels of Care
There are a lot of senior care choices available, so you want to make sure you find one that offers the right level of care. Assisted living is ideal for those who just need a bit of help with their daily lives, but are still relatively independent.
For those who need a higher level of assistance, respite care can be more suitable. Anyone who has just left the hospital after dealing with an illness or surgery may be better off with this.
Housing Choices
Some senior living communities have a wider selection of housing choices than others. It's always important to look at housing options to make sure there's something suitable available.
In some communities, all residents are housed in a single apartment-style building. Others use a neighborhood-style setting with cottages for residents to live in.
Think about what your loved one would prefer and then look for a community that has something suitable. You may want to consider other aspects of assisted senior housing if your loved one needs somewhere that accommodates things like wheelchairs or electric scooters.
When looking at housing choices, the quality can be a big factor. Make sure you choose a comfortable environment. Some typical aspects to look for are:
- Heating and air conditioning
- Storage space
- Refrigerator/Freezer
- Smoke detectors
Some communities also have pet-friendly accommodations. This can be very important for anyone who wants to bring a pet with them.
Amenities
Many senior living communities have on-site amenities. These can improve the quality of life of all residents and are well worth taking into account.
Some of these make life more convenient, such as:
- Housekeeping services
- Laundry services
- Maintenance services
There can also be things that residents can use for leisure such as swimming pools and game rooms. These vary for every senior living community, so it's always worth looking at what a community offers.
Bear in mind that some amenities can come at an additional cost. It's important to know exactly what you're getting for a certain price and if there are any other costs you need to know about.
Social and Wellness Activities
Something else that's worth considering when navigating senior living communities is the activities that they offer. Social interaction is incredibly important for the elderly, and social activities are a great way for them to connect with other residents and build friendships.
Take a look at the activities that a community offers. Think about both social interaction and physical health here. Ideally, you want to make sure your loved one can stay active in a suitable environment.
Some common activities that retirement communities offer include:
- Bingo
- Yoga
- Walking groups
- Painting
- Games
These give residents the chance to make new friends and take up new hobbies at the same time.
Cost and Value
The cost and value of an assisted living community can be a huge factor. You should have a budget in mind before you start looking at different options.
Some communities may simply be too expensive, so you can rule these out. At the same time, going for the cheapest community you can find could be a bad choice. If somewhere is cheaper than everywhere else, it may not meet the same standards.
You should look for somewhere that falls within your budget but still provides everything that your loved one needs. This can take a bit of time to determine, but it's worth looking into.
It can be a good idea to work with a certified senior advisor here. You can discuss your financial situation with them and they'll help you determine which options are most suitable.
The Tour
Something you should always do before committing to a choice is to take a tour of any assisted living community that you're considering. Do this after narrowing down your choices so you don't waste time visiting any that might not have everything you're looking for.
By taking a tour, you can explore the community and get a better feel for what life is like there. You should try to do this at a time when residents will be out and about as this will give you the opportunity to talk to them. You can ask them about what they think of living there to get a better insight into what it's really like.
Assisted Living Options: Why Carroll Place Might Be the Right Choice
There are plenty of assisted living options available. If you're looking for a warm, welcoming community in Carroll, OH, Carroll Place could be perfect.
We have various living options and run a range of activities for our residents. We also offer different levels of care, allowing us to cater to residents with all different needs. Take a look at our services and amenities to see more about what we offer and book your tour of our community today.