There are about 30,600 assisted living communities across the US right now. If you are evaluating options for senior care living for an elderly relative, you have a lot of choices. Choosing the right one is crucial so your loved one feels happy and gets the care they need.
We have created a handy guide to help you and your loved one make the right choice. We’ll discuss key considerations, including location, needs, preferences, and the various amenities assisted living communities offer. This can help you feel confident you have found the right accommodation, and your loved one can get on with enjoying their new home.
Needs and Preferences: What Does Your Loved One Want?
The person who will be moving into the assisted living accommodation must be the key driver behind all decisions. However, they may need a little help to take stock of their current situation and understand why an assisted living community is the best choice.
Assessing Needs
As we age, we may find some of the activities of daily living are more challenging than they were before. These may include:
- Moving around independently
- Dressing
- Personal hygiene
- Continence management
- Laundry
Many seniors also manage long-term health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes. Some would benefit from medication management to keep these diseases under control. Some seniors may also benefit from assistance with eating to ensure that they enjoy their food and get the nutrition they need.
Often, housekeeping and grounds maintenance are part of the package in an assisted living community. This lifts many of the burdens of home maintenance off of your loved one’s shoulders. They can sit back and enjoy a clean home and beautiful grounds without having to lift a finger and risking injury.
Assessing Preferences
As our family members age, it’s easy to become focused on their needs. However, it’s also crucial when evaluating options for senior care living that you consider their preferences. Finding somewhere that meets their personal preferences can make the transition as smooth as possible.
Talk to your loved one about:
- What they like to eat
- What assisted living amenities and activities are important to them
- Whether they want to take a pet with them
- What interests they would like to pursue
It may not be possible to tick every box. But looking for somewhere that meets as many of these preferences as possible paves the way for an easy transition to a happy and satisfying life in their new home.
Choose the Right Location
Location matters because the last thing you want is for your loved one to feel cut off from friends and family. Studies have shown that seniors with close relationships with their grown-up children have fewer depressive symptoms than those who are estranged from them.
So, ideally, it’s usually good to look for a community that is either close to where they currently live or near to their closest family members. Alternatively, choose a location that will be easy for your family members to visit if relocating closer to them is not practical.
Although assisted living security arrangements bring peace of mind, they are not there to cut your loved one off from the wider community. Transportation services can help them to keep in touch with friends and family nearby. They can also help them maintain independence by caring for shopping and other tasks on their own.
Cost Considerations
The three biggest cost considerations are likely to be the size of the accommodation, the amenities, and the location of the assisted living community. Costs can vary widely depending on which part of the state, let alone the country, the community is located in.
Your decision will come down to the personal circumstances, needs, and preferences of your loved one. Most people privately fund their time in an assisted living community, but other funding options may include:
- Government programs
- Long-term care insurance
- Reverse mortgages
- Life insurance policies
When evaluating an assisted living community, ask them to be open about fees. It’s crucial to understand exactly what is included and what will be charged separately. This can help you to plan for future needs and see how affordable the community will be in the long term.
Think About Security
We want our loved ones to feel safe in their new home, and assisted living communities are designed with security in mind. Review the security arrangements, including whether security guards are on site 24/7. As you tour the grounds, do they look well-maintained and safe?
Observe how the staff members interact with the residents. Do they create a safe, nurturing environment where seniors can thrive? If you have any concerns, be sure to address them.
If they can’t be addressed, it’s time to keep looking for one that prioritizes assisted living security and safety.
Assisted Living Staff
The staff in an assisted living community are what really bring it to life. From the management to the care staff, everyone needs to be on the same page: dedicated to helping each resident live their best life. This means providing personalized services that meet their needs and helping them get the most out of the amenities.
When you tour the community, do more than look at the accommodation and services. Allow your loved one time to interact with the staff and ask questions. This can help them assess how comfortable they feel and decide whether this is the right place for them.
Options for Senior Care Living – Discovery Village at Deerwood
At Discovery Village at Deerwood, we recognize that the needs of seniors are diverse. That’s why we offer three distinct living options for senior care living. They can enjoy retirement living, assisted living, and SHINE® Memory Care.
Each option provides additional levels of support as the resident needs them. SHINE® Memory Care is designed to specifically care for the needs of people with dementia while helping them get the most out of each day.
Are you ready to see for yourself what we have to offer? Click here to schedule a tour today.
