How to Make It Easier to Find the Right Senior Living Community

If you thought that deciding whether or not to move to senior living was a big decision, now that you’re tasked with finding the right community you may feel even more overwhelmed. While the options and opportunities offered by today’s senior living communities are a wonderful benefit, sometimes so many choices are simply too much to take in. We can help you with an easier way to narrow your options and then to compare the communities in which you are most interested.

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Start with a Step Back

Before jumping into all the services, features, and amenities available in senior living, first, take a step back and consider what prompted you to consider the move in the first place. Was it a health concern? Were you tired of the hassle of cooking, cleaning, and home upkeep? Were you looking for more opportunities to be social and stay active? Whether it was a combination of these, one of these reasons, or something different, you’ll be able to more easily prioritize what you or your loved one need in senior living by assessing the current situation at home through these ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions.

• Are there current health issues or health concerns?
• Are there mobility challenges?                          
• Are there cognitive challenges?                        
• Are there challenges performing daily activities independently?                        
• Are there concerns about maintaining the house and/or yard?            
• Are there concerns about proper nutrition and/or preparing meals independently?                  
• Are there concerns about medication management?                              
• Are there transportation challenges and/or driving concerns?                              
• Are there safety concerns in the home?        
• Would you or your loved one benefit from more social opportunities?                            
• Would you or your loved one like to find a new hobby or learn something new?

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‍Know Your Type

Now that you’ve answered the above questions, you’re ready to narrow your search by identifying the type of senior living that matches you or your loved one’s needs best. The types of senior living include:

‍Independent living (also known as Active Retirement) – A maintenance-free lifestyle for seniors who still live independently. Independent living provides home upkeep, housekeeping, personal laundry, and other amenities that in our communities include:

• 24-hour staffing
• 24-hour fitness center, daily exercise classes, and onsite certified personal trainer
• 24-hour Stay Sharp Center with computers
• Flexible, open dining that's wholesome, healthy, and made from scratch with gluten-free, vegetarian, and diabetic-friendly menu options
• Happy hours and live entertainment
• Clubs, seminars, and intergenerational activities
• Transportation services
• Hair Salon
• Movie Theatre

Assisted Living – This type of seniorliving is similar to independent living in terms of the maintenance-freelifestyle and the opportunities to be active, social, and engaged. In fact, theamenities you'll find in our assisted living are the same as those inindependent living above. However, the primary difference is that assistedliving also offers support with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, anddressing. We also have nurses and trained caregivers onsite 24/7.

Memory Care – Just for those withAlzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, this type of senior livingoffers 24-hour support in a secure, nurturing environment with speciallytrained staff. Our PEAK memory care program takes it a step further and isdesigned to engage residents where they are today while enhancing their overallwellness – mind, body, and spirit – with amenities that include:

• Cutting-edge technology provided by the iN2L (It's Never Too Late)system
• A farm-to-table culinary experience with gluten-free anddiabetic friendly menu options
• Intergenerational activities and pet therapy
• Music, exercise, and brain fitness programs
• Family resources, volunteer opportunities, and education

Keep in mind that somecommunities, like ours, offer multiple types of senior living on the same campusfor added convenience and peace of mind.

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Comparing SeniorLiving Communities

At this point you ideally have two to three senior livingcommunities in which you’d like to tour. Whether you’re touring in-person orvirtually, comparing the communities is much easier when you’re looking at thesame criteria and asking the same questions on each tour. These questions canhelp.

Accommodations and Campus

• What accommodation options areavailable? What are the differences in cost for each?
• Is community occupancy high orlow?
• How’s the community location?
• Is the campus well maintained?
• How do you feel about theappearance, comfort, and cleanliness of theaccommodations as well as the dining, common and outdoor areas?

Lifestyle and Wellness

• Does the menu offer varietyand nutritious options? Can you sample the food?
• Does the community accommodatespecial dietary restrictions or requests?
• What types of activities(exercise, wellness, enrichment, social, etc.) are offered?
• How often do residents leavethe community for outside activities?
• How often are housekeeping andlaundry services provided?
• Are there ample amenityoptions to fit your needs and wants?
• Can friends and family visitanytime?
• Are there common and privatespaces to gather with visiting guests?
• Is the community pet-friendly?

Staff and Care

• What level of daily support isoffered?
• What qualifications arerequired for the staff?
• Are staff members offeredadditional and/or continuous training opportunities?
• What is the staff-to-residentratio during the day and at night?
• How did the staff membersinteract with residents and you? Do they seem friendly and compassionate?
• Does the community accommodatespecial needs, such as diabetic care?

Safety/Security

• How does the community handlemedical emergencies?
• How is the community secured?
• What safety features areavailable?
• Is transportation offered?

Cost

• What are the monthly costs forhousing and care?
• What services are included inthose costs? What services are add-ons?
• What are the payment options?
• Are there any move-in specialsor promotions?

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For more information on seniorliving in a GenCare Lifestyle community, schedule a tour today, or reach out to one of ourteam members to answer any questions you may have!

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