What to Consider When Choosing a Senior Living Community
Senior living communities are incredibly common options for elderly individuals who need extra care and support in their daily lives and can no longer live independently at home. There are several different options available, and the experts will assess you to make sure you find a community that is perfect for you. What you choose will depend on many different factors, and here are just a couple of things you can consider when choosing a community.
Who is senior living for?
If you find you need help completing certain daily tasks, or you need to be reminded to perform them, then senior living may be the next step for you. These tasks are called Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Physicians and adult care workers can help you decide what type of community would be most suitable by looking at many factors, including your mental and physical health, and assessing your level of independence.
Common services and amenities
Although each community is unique, and the services offered can vary depending on the level of care you require and the type of community in which you live, there are some common services and amenities that you may come across. Fitness centers and gyms help to keep residents healthy and active, and some may even offer group exercise classes. There are often restaurant-style dining facilities, with varied menus to cater to a range of tastes and dietary requirements. Social events are also often organized to encourage engagement within the community. These can include activities such as art classes or cooking demonstrations and trips to events such as concerts.
When considering a senior living apartment, Brightview, a Bethesda assisted living community, suggests you answer the following questions: Is the layout designed to provide a safe living environment? Does the kitchen provide the amenities you will need? And, what kind of technology is offered, like WIFI to connect to the internet? Respite care is a good way to test out different communities and explore your options, as it involves a temporary short stay at a senior living community.
What are the different options?
Independent living- residents live in resort-like accommodation, often with private apartments and sometimes cooking facilities. This provides almost the same level of independence as before, but care and support are available when required.
Assisted living- for residents who require more support in their daily lives, assisted living gives them as much independence as possible, with laundry and housekeeping services provided, as well as medical services like medication management.
Memory care- this is a community that is aimed at individuals with memory-related illnesses, such as dementia. It focuses on creating a safe and secure environment whilst providing engaging and enriching activities and experiences that help boost the quality of life and dignity of the residents.
There are many different things to consider when choosing a senior living community, so it is important to do your research, speak to experts and explore what options are available to you.
