Top 4 Things to Look for in Senior Living Communities

If you are planning a move to senior living, it helps to know that every community has its own personality. Ideally, you will find one that suits you perfectly. The best way to find the right fit is to research your options.

To help you get started, here are the top four things to look for in a retirement community:

1. The Right Accommodations for Your Lifestyle

The first step is to determine the location that appeals most to you. Consider whether you would like a warmer climate or to be closer to family—now may be the right time for that relocation.

It is essential to understand your financial options. Consider whether your budget can accommodate entrance fees, monthly costs and potential care expenses. To make the most of your time, focus your search on communities within your price range. Some offer all-inclusive pricing that covers care and services, while others use an à la carte model.

Depending on the community, there may be apartments, cottages, full-sized houses or a combination of these. Whichever home type you desire, look for quality design, elegant appointments and customizable spaces.

Some additional features to look for include:

• In-unit washers/dryers
• Full-size appliances
• Ample storage
• Deck or patio

At Edgehill in Stamford, Connecticut, all apartment homes have private balconies or patios, washer/dryers and full-size, maintenance-free kitchen appliances. Residences are also sound resistant and each has its own heating and cooling controls.

2. Services and Amenities

Determine which amenities and services are most important to you. Do you want a pool? Need a pet-friendly community? These are some of the amenities that are popular with residents of senior communities:

• Walking paths and open spaces
• Heated indoor pool and jacuzzi
• On-site salon/barber
• Massage therapy
• Gardening area
• Housekeeping and linen service
• Transportation

Do not forget to explore the dining options! If you are like many seniors today, you want a dining experience with impeccable service and skillfully prepared food. Examine the menu and see if there is a good variety of items and whether the menu changes regularly. Most importantly, enjoy a meal in the dining venue to get a firsthand taste of the cuisine.

3. Care Model

Look into the types of care contracts offered. For example, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer care across the continuum: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care—and, often, Skilled Nursing and Sub-Acute Rehabilitation.

There are three types of CCRCs—Type A, B, and C—each with its own approach to services and costs. Understanding these contract differences is key to making an informed decision.

Be sure to ask how the community handles changes in your care requirements—or your partner’s. For example, if your spouse needs assistance with activities of daily living and a higher level of care but you do not, how is that handled? It is beneficial to understand the costs for future care when care needs differ.

4. Community Personality

All senior living communities are different; the residents who live there forge a community’s personality. Ideally, you will want to find a community of like-minded people who enjoy the same things you do because that is where you will be most comfortable.

Attending events for prospective residents is a good way to talk to and get to know current residents, which can give you a sense of whether you will feel at home

Evaluate how you feel while in the community. If you feel comfortable and the community offers the amenities you seek and fits your budget, it is likely a great fit for you.

Do not wait to begin your search—the sooner you start, the sooner you can enjoy the opportunities senior living has to offer.