For many older adults, remaining in their own homes for as long as possible is typically what they have in mind when they begin to think about their later years. However, for many seniors, there comes a time when living independently is no longer a safe option. Many older adults need help around the house or extra support with activities of daily living. Other adults may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation and opt for an environment with more companionship. This is where senior living communities come into play. According to Forbes magazine, senior living refers to an array of care, lifestyle and housing options for older adults. Senior living communities typically offer a wide variety of living accommodations, ranging from apartments to townhomes and single-family homes. Senior living facilities offer varying levels of medical care and often include services such as medication management, social activities and even specialized care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The first step in choosing a senior living community is to find out what type of community best suits your needs.
Types of Senior Living
There are several different types of senior living options available for older adults depending on their financial resources, health needs and location preferences. However, according to U.S. News, the most common options include:
- Independent living. This is a great option for active older adults who don’t have a need for personal care or assistance with daily activities. These accommodations usually include apartment style or townhome living. Independent living communities usually offer meals, services such as maintenance and housekeeping, and social activities. These settings are designed to promote community, convenience, and worry-free living.
- Assisted living. These communities are best for adults who have health or mobility issues that require assistance with activities of daily living. These communities have more services than independent living and often include medication management, assistance with personal care and provide services such as meals, housekeeping, laundry and transportation.
- Memory care. Memory care may be a good fit for older adults with cognitive loss such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Memory care settings have secured entrances and exits and are staffed 24 hours a day. Memory care communities provide tailored activities and programs and have access to medical care at all times.
- Continuing care retirement community. CCRCs are a great option for older adults who truly want it all. These communities offer a spectrum of care levels, often including independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. These communities typically require a significant financial investment, but give residents peace of mind, knowing that whatever they may need is provided for them.
Finding Senior Living Options Near You
Once you’ve made the decision to start exploring options for the future, it can be difficult to know where to look. Here are a few ways to start your search for the perfect senior living community:
- Ask around. Word of mouth is a great way to start your search for a senior living community. Ask your friends or family members who are living in retirement communities what they think about theirs and go from there. Once you have a few facilities, do your own research by looking at their website, read reviews and schedule a tour to see it for yourself.
- LeadingAge. LeadingAge is a nonprofit organization that links service providers and organizations with older adults in need. LeadingAge offers an Aging Services Directory that locates and lists senior living communities in your area and offers the ability to filter by specific services and offerings.
- Senior Living Advisors. When you don’t know where to start, it can be helpful to have someone guide you through the process of finding a senior living community. Senior living advisors offer free help to seniors and their families by finding the best senior living option that fits their needs. It’s important to note that although these services are free, they are often paid a commission by senior living communities when someone moves into a community they recommend.
Reasons to Choose a Specific Retirement Community
Once you have your options narrowed down to a few communities, it can be really difficult to make that final decision. At Maplewood Senior living, we know how emotionally draining this decision can be for many older adults and their families. Here are some things that really matter when you’re weighing your options for the future:
- The community of your choice has great online reviews. Do a brief google search of the communities on your list. What do their google reviews say? These reviews are written by real people with real experiences of the community. Of course, keep in mind that most organizations have one or two negative reviews. It’s important that a large majority of the reviews written are positive and reaffirming.
- Trust word of mouth referrals. If your best friend loves their senior living community, chances are you’ll like it too. Make sure to schedule a visit with communities that you hear a lot about from family and friends. This can save you the headache of searching online and lead you to some great communities.
- Good real-time experiences. It’s crucial that you tour any facility you are considering. This can help you get a feel for what normal, daily life will be like for you if you make the move. Observe how the staff treats you upon arrival—do they greet you? Do they take you where you’re supposed to be if you’re lost? Do they follow-up with you after your tour? Does the place look and feel clean? Do the employees seem happy? These are things that you can only notice in-person.
- Satisfied employees. Happy employees can make all the difference when it comes to senior living. Working in a senior living community isn’t always easy—that’s why it’s so important to choose a place where staff are happy and feel fulfilled in what they do each and every day. You may ask to talk to different staff members during your in-person tour or opt to do some research online. Websites like Glassdoor offer employees the opportunity to write reviews about their work experience at different organizations.
Choosing Maplewood Senior Living
Our Maplewood Senior Living communities offer all levels of care to fit your needs as you age. Our robust offerings ensure that you have access to medical care, social activities and high-quality living accommodations to make your later years the best years. To learn more about our offerings, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
