As you enter what are supposed to be your golden years, you may be anxious about how you’ll manage if you need help with daily life or scared of what life in a long-term care home will be like. Aging in place has become a popular trend, with more and more seniors choosing to stay in their homes for as long as possible. However, there may come a time when staying at home is no longer an option. Perhaps you need more help than you can get at home or you’re struggling to maintain your independence. If this is the case, it might be time to think about moving into a senior living community.
Senior living communities can be a great way for you to enjoy your later years with fewer worries. This type of living offers many advantages, including community and support, personalized care, a wide range of amenities and activities, as well as assistance with everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning.
The decision to move into a senior living community is a big one. It’s important to find the best fit for you or your loved one. There are many factors to consider, including location, type of community, and activities offered. You will also need to consider personal preferences, health, and finances.
Planning for senior living is something that can be easy to put off. Even if you think you won’t need to move into a senior community, speaking from personal experience with our elderly relatives, it’s so much better if you’re able to make a plan for yourself before an emergency arises to help ease the transition if the time comes. Here are some tips to help you find the right community:
1. Start by thinking about what’s important to you in a senior living community and what kind of lifestyle you want.
- Do you want to be close to family and friends? If they aren’t in the same area, are you willing to relocate to a different city or state? It’s important to consider who will be watchful of you as you age; although moving closer to them may be inconvenient for you now, it may help your friends and family later, as it could reduce their future travel time and expenses as they need or want to go to medical appointments with you (for example).
- Do you want to live in an independent living community where you can come and go as you please? Or would you prefer a community with more support and services? What kind of care will be available if you need it?
- Do you want access to amenities and social activities? Or are affordability and convenience the most important factors for you?
2. Consider your budget and what’s available in the area you wish to live. There are a variety of communities with different price points. Make sure you understand any fees in addition to monthly costs. In many communities Senior Placement Agents are helpful professionals to seek out. They can be an excellent (free) resource for you as you consider which senior care community is a good fit for you. Placement agents usually have a thorough understanding of all the different senior living options in their area. Keep in mind that some placement agents are paid a commission by the senior living communities for helping to place someone at a certain community. Other agents are independent, and do not receive a commission for placing seniors; they are paid by the company they work for, not by the senior communities. These agents can often provide a more objective perspective on the different communities, and then based on the senior’s preferences, can help place a senior in a community that is well-suited for them. When you first speak with a placement agent, you can ask how they are compensated. From our experience, truly independent agents do a better job of knowing the breadth of the field and keeping a senior’s best interests as the top priority.
3. Do some research online and read reviews from current and former residents. Ask friends and family for recommendations.
4. Visit the communities that interest you – this is the best way to get a feel for whether it’s the right fit. Tour the grounds, meet the staff and residents, ask questions, and get a sense of the overall feel of the community, its activities and amenities, and the staff’s approach to care. It’s also important to visit at different times of day to get a sense of daily life.
What can you expect?
When you are getting ready to transition to senior living, it is important to know what to expect. There are many things that will change in your life, but with the proper preparation, you can make the transition as smooth as possible. One of the most important things to remember is that this is not a retirement community; it is a community for seniors. This means that you will have access to many activities and services that will help you stay active and engaged.
There are typically a variety of events going on, which makes it easier to find people who share your interests. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and create lasting relationships. Most communities offer transportation, dining options, wellness programs, and activities such as art programs, music, movie nights, card games, dances, and excursions.
Will you be able to take all your “stuff” (or at least your most meaningful items) with you?
When packing your belongings for your move into a senior living community, you must be prepared to leave some things behind. For example, large pieces of furniture or appliances that are too big to fit in your new apartment. If you are downsizing dramatically, you may need to store some items or give heirlooms and sentimental belongings to family or friends. Being able to explain the history or the story of a particular heirloom directly to your family member or a dear friend can mean a lot to them; it can be so much more impactful to give this gift to them in person, rather than them receiving it after you’re gone and having to wonder about where it came from originally or what it meant to you.
Change can be scary and moving out of a lifetime home is hard for many seniors to imagine. The silver lining is that senior living communities can provide a built-in network of friends, assistance with daily living and the peace of mind that people are around in case of emergency to help keep you safe. Plus, there will be no more lawn to mow or home maintenance to worry about! Giving you more time to enjoy your hobbies and enjoy your golden years.
It’s important that the community feels like the right fit for both your needs and your budget. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what feels best for you. Trust your gut instinct and talk with your friends, family, and a good senior living placement agent about their thoughts on potential communities.