Seeking senior housing for you or your loved one? You may be surprised by the amazing possibilities available. In the past, communities may have adopted a “one-size-fits-all” approach to elder care; however, current senior living providers acknowledge the importance of tailored care and a balanced lifestyle.
How to Choose the Appropriate Senior Living Community
However, with hundreds of options in most areas, locating the best senior living options for yourself or an elder loved one can be a daunting task, similar to purchasing a home.
We’ve provided a step-by-step outline to help you find the best senior living.
1. Contact an Assisted Living Facility
Assisted Living, like in snf Orange County is a senior care expert who has the resources to conduct an in-depth search of senior living communities in every region of the country. This free service for seniors and their families is an excellent place to begin the process. The staff will even inform you if you are eligible for benefits like Veterans Benefits.
2. Determine the Level of Care Required
Senior care exists on a spectrum, ranging from Independent Living Communities for active seniors to Assisted Living Communities with varying degrees of care to Memory Care communities and much more. In addition, various types of communities and amenities are available at each level of care.
One of the first things Assisted Living will do ask questions to identify the proper level of care for you or a loved one, which will aid in focusing your search on the best possibilities for your need.
3. Choose a Price Point
Senior living communities range in price from affordable to extremely expensive for luxury communities. To avoid future frustration and disappointment, you must set a realistic price point for yourself that is based on your available resources. You can follow this link for more information.
4. Compile a List of Possible Matches in the Area
Following that, your Assisted Living will compile a list of communities that provide the appropriate level of care and amenities at the appropriate price point and in the appropriate location. They will then email you images, details about the features and amenities, user reviews, pricing, and other details. Your Assisted Living can also help you set up times to tour communities in your area.
5. Take a Look at Your Top Choices
While much information about senior living communities is available online, there is no substitute for going on a tour. If you can’t visit a community in person, set up a live virtual tour where you can see the community in real-time and ask questions to community staff.
6. Compare Agreements
The agreements should specify what is and is not included and the staff-to-resident ratio. Determine how they care for residents as they age or become ill. Determine whether there are any penalties or costs for leaving the community early, as well as the terms, refunds, and time frames.
Finally, find out when interest rates are raised; two to five percent in January or July is typical. Suppose your parent is on a fixed income. In that case, you may be able to negotiate favorable timing or lower rate increases in a competitive market.
7. Choose the Best Senior Living Option
Finally, after visiting several communities, it’s time to decide. Following your tours, you may feel gut about the best option. If not, consider what is most important to you and decide based on that. For example, do you anticipate frequent doctor’s visits? Choose the community that is closest to the office. Do you enjoy working out? Choose the community with the most fitness classes or the largest fitness center for a great senior living in Fullerton CA.
