Four Things to Look for When Choosing a Senior Living Community

March 27, 2018 - Rose Villa | Community | Advice

Choosing a senior living or licensed Life Plan Community (Continuing Care Retirement Community) for yourself or a loved one is often a difficult choice, as it can be challenging to move on from your previous home and its years of valuable memories. However, once you make the choice to move and are settled in your new home, you have the chance to build lasting relationships in an inclusive environment that supports and enhances your independence and a better quality of living. Below are a few tips for things to look for in a senior living community to ensure you or your loved one find a community that best suits your needs.

Recreation and Activities

A community that promotes socialization and group activities will help ensure that new residents feel included and deter them from becoming isolated or confined to their home. When looking for a community, ask about the recreational offerings and amenities to see if they provide classes or activities that align with you or your loved ones’ interests. Ask about public outings such as shopping trips, local church services, or complimentary rides to see what’s available. In addition to what’s offered, finding out if the community encourages residents to organize and create activities of their own will provide insight into the communities’ flexibility and you or your loved ones’ opportunity to facilitate activities of your own.

Lifestyle and Community

Finding a community that supports residents to live as they choose is key to finding joy in this major life change. For example, seniors with furry companions should inquire about a community’s pet policies or restrictions, as well as their willingness to engage with animals. Additionally, asking about community policies and culture, as well as what is available to guests will help determine if the community is a fit for your lifestyle. Older adults that enjoy hobbies such as barbequing or gardening may be surprised to see many communities have restrictions in place that don’t allow these activities, so asking these questions ahead of time will help you plan for a community that suits your interests.

It’s also important to get to know the members of the community who could potentially become your neighbors and friends. Making time to ask current residents about the activities offered and their perspective on the community and its culture will help you navigate the decision on where to invest in your future.

Location

One of the most important aspects of choosing a senior living community is its proximity to the things that are important to you. Family, friends, arts & culture, or even greenspace for outdoor living activities. For active seniors, it will be important to know if the community is near public transportation, if it’s near the city or in an urban setting according to their individual preferences. What types of transportation options are available if you decide to no longer drive? Additionally, ensuring that there are credible medical facilities and physicians nearby will be important as you continue to age and stay on top of your health.

Meals

Many independent Life Plan Communities offer onsite dining, but is the food really good? Is it healthy? Does it meet your dietary restrictions? Does it offer variety? These are all questions seniors should take into account when choosing a senior living community. Residents rely on the onsite food options for many of their meals, so it’s important you are receiving high-quality options with healthy ingredients that support an active and healthy lifestyle.