People are often surprised to see how far senior living options have come in the past few decades. Gone are the sterile nursing homes where residents spent hours in their rooms alone and isolated. Today, these communities cater to their residents, providing them with stimulating activities, nutritious meals, and companionship when desired. Families may consider moving in with their elderly relatives to take advantage of the amenities available in these communities. They are that amazing.
However, communities differ in their offerings. Families must find the perfect senior living community for their loved ones. Members of the same family may prefer different communities. To find the right community for an individual, many people turn to a trusted senior support network for help. When doing so, they find that locating this community isn’t as challenging as they imagined.
Care Level
The first thing a family must determine when choosing a senior living community is the level of care the senior needs. A senior who lives alone but wants to move to a community for companionship and maintenance-free living will thrive in an independent living community. Men and women who can live independently but require assistance with activities of daily living often benefit from assisted living arrangements. However, those with dementia need specialized care, so a memory care community should be considered. Once the care level is determined, the list of suitable communities will be narrowed down.
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Price
Families must consider the senior’s budget when choosing a community. These communications vary in price. Some are affordable for all, while others are reserved for those used to living in luxury. They have the funds to afford a high-end community with numerous amenities. Every person would like to live in one of these communities, but their finances won’t allow them to do so.
When determining how to finance a senior living community, families should consider all available resources. These resources may include retirement income, family contributions, long-term care insurance, and veterans’ benefits. Social security, life insurance, and local government programs are additional resources to consider when determining how to fund care.
Potential Matches
Once family members have a price point in mind and understand the level of care required, they can create a list of potential communities in the desired area. Schedule visits with each community to learn more about the offerings and amenities. People might assume they can learn everything they need to know online, but nothing replaces these in-person visits. They allow family members to gain a better understanding of the atmosphere and community culture. When visiting, families want to see residents who appear happy and engaged. They should also ask to join residents for a meal so they can explore the dining options and talk with residents when they are relaxed and ready to socialize.
Ask Questions
Families should have a list of questions to ask when visiting each community. It’s easy to forget one or more questions when visiting, which is why having a list is essential. After visiting several communities, family members can sit down and compare the answers to make an informed decision about which community is right for their loved one. Seniors should have input into this decision, as their lives are being uprooted. They will be happier if they get to pick a community.
Senior living communities are plentiful today. However, this doesn’t mean a family can choose any community for a loved one without doing research. Don’t feel overwhelmed. Follow the steps outlined above. Those families who do will make the right choice for their elderly relative easily.
