All American Assisted Living Updates

What's Important for You in a Senior Living Community

Written by All American | April 11, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Whether or not to move to senior living is a huge decision. And once you or a loved one decide to go for it, you may think the hardest part is behind you. Yes and no. In the next step, choosing the right senior living community, it’s exciting to see all the features and amenities available. At the same time, all the choices can become overwhelming. Deciding what’s most important beforehand is key. But how do you do that? These tips can help. 

Consider your needs in retirement 

A person may choose to move to senior living for many reasons, from a health incident to a chronic condition that’s becoming harder to manage to a desire for more social interaction to difficulty managing home upkeep. Often, it’s a combination of reasons, and by assessing your current situation at home (or that of your loved one, you’ll be able to more easily determine the type of community that would be right for your needs. So, start by answering these questions. 

 

Yes 

No 

Health issues or concerns? 

 

 

Mobility challenges? 

 

 

Cognitive challenges? 

 

 

Challenges performing daily activities independently? 

 

 

Concerns about maintaining the house and/or yard? 

 

 

Concerns about proper nutrition and/or preparing meals independently? 

 

 

Concerns about medication management? 

 

 

Transportation challenges and/or driving concerns? 

 

 

Safety issues in the home? 

 

 

Would you benefit from more social opportunities? 

 

 

Would you like to find a new hobby or learn something new? 

 

 

 

Don’t forget to consider your preferred location and budget for senior living as well! 

Download our Senior Funding Guide today!

Narrowing your senior living community options 

With your needs in mind, now you can determine which type of senior living community would work best. Many people don’t even realize that different types of senior living are available, but those differences are essential in narrowing your options. Here’s what each type offers. 

  • Independent Living – For active seniors who can live independently but are looking for more social opportunities and amenities than they have at home, as well as freedom from the hassles of chores and home upkeep. 
  • Assisted Living – Similar to independent living in terms of the amenities and social and enrichment options. But in addition, assisted living provides personalized care and support with daily tasks like bathing and dressing from professionally-trained staff as needed while empowering residents to live as independently as possible. 
  • Memory Care – Specifically for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the staff is specially trained in memory care. Communities provide 24-hour supervision, therapy, structured activities, and social opportunities in a safe, calming environment. 

Consider what you want in a senior living community 

Once you’ve determined the type of senior living community, it’s time to consider what you want out of the experience. The options are endless, so the best approach is to identify your wants that are non-negotiable and those that are nice to have. Remember, basics like meals, housekeeping, maintenance, group transportation, and activities are typically included in the monthly fee already. This checklist with some of the most popular senior living features can help you get started with the rest of your wants. 

 

Features 

Non-Negotiable 

Nice-to-Have 

Residence  

 

 

 

Private accommodations 

 

 

Washer/dryer in the apartment 

 

 

Full kitchen 

 

 

Balcony or patio 

 

 

Ample storage 

 

 

Other: 

 

 

Lifestyle 

 

 

Multiple dining venues 

 

 

Outdoor spaces/walking paths 

 

 

Busy social calendar 

 

 

Offsite outings 

   

 

Range of enrichment opportunities 

 

 

Spa service 

 

 

Pet friendly 

 

 

Common areas to host family/friends 

 

 

Other: 

 

 

Care/Wellness 

 

 

24-hour onsite care 

 

 

Onsite medical 

 

 

Onsite rehabilitation 

 

 

Special diets 

 

 

Fitness center/classes 

 

 

Pool 

 

 

Other: 

 

 

Safety/Security 

 

 

Emergency call technology 

 

 

Keypad entry/exit 

 

 

Emergency preparedness plan 

 

 

Other: 

 

 

 

For more help determining what’s most important to you in a senior living community, download our Senior Funding Guide today! Contact us to schedule a tour today.