Based on recent reports, more than nine million seniors currently reside in senior living communities. That figure is expected to grow moving forward as it has been for quite some time. Aging Americans choose senior living solutions for several reasons from wanting to maintain their independence without sacrificing the care they need to addressing growing care requirements as they age. With several options available, seniors with a variety of needs can find options that suit their expectations and lifestyles.
That being said, having so many options can also make choosing one difficult. Many seniors and their families find themselves struggling to decide which solution would best meet their needs. Keeping the following points in mind when exploring local senior communities can help make the selection process simpler.
Determine Your Care Needs
One of the most important measures to take when looking for a senior living community is determining your specific care needs. If you need little to no help with daily activities but want to be close to physicians and enjoy a more carefree lifestyle, independent living may be right for you. For those who need help with everyday activities and more in-depth medical care, assisted living may be a better choice. If you expect your needs to change significantly as you grow older, a continuing care retirement community might be best.
Consider Available Services and Amenities
Another point to consider is the services available in different senior communities. Many offer basic services, like assistance with daily activities, meals, housekeeping, landscaping, and home maintenance. Some go above and beyond. They offer a variety of amenities, like on-site salons and spas, enrichment courses, fitness classes, social events, planned outings, and transportation to off-site doctor appointments. Once you find a few communities that can meet your specific care needs, look beyond those services to determine which other amenities might be available.
Caregiver-to-Resident Ratio
Caregiver-to-resident ratio is yet another factor to take into account. Senior communities with low ratios may not have enough skilled caregivers on hand to truly take care of their residents. They often have higher injury rates, more frequent medication errors, and many other issues. On the other hand, those with high ratios tend to meet their residents’ needs more effectively. People are generally happier, safer, and better cared for in communities with high caregiver-to-resident ratios.
Security
As is the case when moving to any new neighborhood, security should be a top priority. Senior living communities are no different. Look into different communities’ security measures, such as video monitoring, on-site security guards, emergency response plans, and secure entryways and exits to name a few. It’s important that they’re equipped to handle both physical and virtual threats.
How well their caregivers and other staff members are trained to prevent and deal with threats and emergency situations is also important. You want to be sure wrongdoers are effectively kept at bay, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. You also need to be sure these communities make every effort to prevent their residents from inadvertently placing themselves in danger.
Choosing the Perfect Senior Living Community for You
Numerous senior living solutions are available at this point, and each one has its own set of benefits. Consider your care needs, available services and amenities, caregiver-to-resident ratios, and security to help you find the right one to meet your needs. Cost and location should certainly be factored into the equation, but don’t let those be the sole deciding factors.