Choosing a senior living community is a monumental decision. One wonders where to begin, what questions to ask, and the list of considerations always seems to grow longer as the days pass. Given that it is not an easy process, it is crucial to understand all the factors and elements that go into finding and choosing the right living arrangements for you or your loved one. Below we have discussed some of the factors that you should bear in mind while evaluating senior living communities.
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Location
You should consider the location of the senior living community that would best suit your needs. Should you opt for the peaceful rural setting, or do you prefer one that is close to an urban center and has an urban vibe to it? How far is the community away from family members? The location is crucial in ensuring that all your needs are met.
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Access to entertainment
Being away from other family members can be quite lonely. Access to entertainment greatly reduces the boredom and loneliness associated with being away from family members and contributes to one’s social life. Therefore, as you choose a senior living community, you should find out if there are entertainment spots where one can go to eat, watch movies, or even play nine holes. If fishing or bowling forms part of your hobbies, you should look for a community that has such amenities nearby. Entertainment is crucial in ensuring that you or your loved one has a good social life.
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Travel
If you or your loved travels frequently, you should ensure that the senior living community has ready access to public transportation services such as airports and train stations. If you hate or cannot drive anymore, you can look into senior living communities that offer transportation to travel hubs. This is convenient for the senior to make it to their destination of choice.
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Type of community
There are many types of senior living communities that one can choose from. These include age-restricted communities, senior apartments, cohousing, assisted living, nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, among many other variations. All these communities also come in different shapes and sizes to cater to the different needs of their residents. As such, one can be a better fit compared to the other with regards to the needs of the senior who’ll be living in the facility. You should carefully look into which one would serve your needs best in the long run.
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Levels of service
As discussed above, different kinds of senior living communities are available, and they all offer different levels of services. The community could provide for independent living residence, personal care, assisted living, skilled nursing care or even at-home services. Potential residents should, therefore, choose a senior living community based on the needs of the senior depending on the amount and level of assistance and assistance he/she will need.
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Diversity and inclusivity
If cultural diversity and inclusivity are a major concern for the senior, you should ensure that you look into how culturally diverse the community you are looking at is. We all want to feel comfortable in our surroundings, and cultural diversity and inclusivity could ensure that the life of the senior is wholesome.
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Activities
Some seniors prefer communities that allow them to customize their own activities while others prefer something more structured. Consequently, one should look into the nature of the activities in the senior living community before settling for one. Fitness facilities and swimming pools are a major concern for most seniors right now; therefore, it is crucial to ensure that such needs are catered for. Above all, the senior’s interests are the ones that will determine the kind of activities a senior will be looking for in a senior living community.
Written by The Village Of Bedford Walk, a senior living community in Columbia, MO.