The decision to move into senior living is one most families eventually face and choosing the right place for an aging parent or loved one can be difficult. To help, we’ve put together a list of considerations to make when choosing a senior living community.
Table of Contents
Location
As in the real estate market, location is one of the most important things about retirement communities. Families want to keep their members as close as possible, of course, and choosing a nearby retirement home will make visits easier and more frequent. Ask about:
- Neighborhood safety. If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, would they be safe if they wandered away?
- When retirement communities are near major cities, visiting families will contend with backups and congestion.
- Access to medical services. How close is the community to your loved one’s primary doctor and preferred hospital?
By asking these questions and carefully considering the answers, you’ll find the best community for the senior in your life.
Community Size
Every person’s needs are different, and it’s important to choose a community that’s a good fit for your loved one. While some people prefer smaller, more intimate settings, others want to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Tour communities and consider features like:
- Recreational activities
- Barbershops and beauty salons
- Chapels/churches
- Dining facilities
When seniors have access to social opportunities, personal care services, and nutritious meals, they are more likely to be satisfied with their living arrangements.
Essential Services
When moving into a retirement community, seniors often look for crucial services. Along with the opportunity to form lasting relationships with staff members, look for a community offering:
- Weekly transportation to doctor’s appointments, shopping centers, and religious services.
- A staff of trained, registered care providers.
- Year-round access to cultural events, fitness classes, and other opportunities for socialization.
- Counseling services.
As your loved one’s care needs change, their living arrangements should evolve. Choose a community affiliated with a higher-level care center or hospital, so you’ll be ready when the time comes.
Cost
While money isn’t an object for some, most of us plan for retirement with a budget in mind. Caregivers, families, and seniors must figure out how to pay for retirement living, and they usually get what they pay for.
When selecting a senior community, go with the best affordable option. It’s hard to put a dollar figure on your loved one’s well-being, but knowing you’re doing your best will provide some level of reassurance.
Community Culture
Finally, select a community with ample social opportunities and regular events. Like everyone else, seniors need to build social relationships and friendships with others—and living in the right community will let them do just that. Choose a community offering:
- Restaurant-style communal dining.
- Opportunities to spend leisure time with others.
- Outdoor seating for social events during spring and summer.
The most effective way to assess your loved one’s potential quality of life in a senior community is to look at the people around them. If other residents seem happy and at ease, your parent or spouse will be, too.
The Choice is Yours
At Belmont Village, we know the choice to put a family member into senior living is not one to make lightly. We’re a small, locally operated senior community, with a mission to preserve seniors’ dignity by focusing on respect and autonomy in everything we do. Contact us to learn about our senior living options or to schedule a community tour.
