How to Choose the Right Senior Living Community for Your Needs
When you first begin your search for a senior living community, you may feel confused by some of the jargon around levels of care and contract options. Each community is unique, but once you outline your priorities, it’s much easier to find one that serves your lifestyle. Here are six priorities to help you determine what to look for in a senior living community.
6 Priorities to Consider When Choosing Senior Living
1. Health Care
70% of adults over age 65 will need some kind of long-term care according to the Genworth Cost of Care survey. Even if you’re active and independent right now, choosing a CCRC that offers a continuum of senior care is a smart, forward-thinking choice. In fact, if you move while you’re still active, you’ll probably qualify for a Life Care contract, assuming the community you’re interested in offers Life Care. Under this residential agreement, you would move into independent living and have priority access to higher levels of care with little change to your monthly fee, saving money — and certainly hassle — over time.
2. Location
In your retirement, you may want to live close to family, near where you grew up, or in a warm climate. Many seniors narrow their search to communities in the location they want to be.
3. Living Space
Some seniors add apartment size or residence features to their list of what to look for in a senior living community. Your senior living apartment will be a new home. And while you’ll have an entire campus at your disposal, your living space is precious. You may want to take this opportunity to rightsize to a comfortable one-bedroom, or you might prefer the spaciousness of a two-bedroom. A patio or balcony may be very important to you. Whatever your preferences, look for a community that offers residences you could see yourself enjoying.
4. Dining
Eating well is an important part of living well. And one of the benefits of moving to senior living is you only have to cook when you want to. Once you’ve narrowed down your community choices, ask if it’s possible to sample a meal. Inquire how they accommodate special diets and about their meal plan options. You should be able to look forward to mealtimes in your new community.
5. Clubs and Activities
Most senior living communities provide daily activity calendars with classes, outings, club meetings and fun activities residents can join. Look for activities you enjoy, hobbies you’ve always wanted to try, or new experiences that look interesting. Look for a mix of social opportunities and individual pursuits.
6. Amenities
What sort of community features would enhance your days? Senior living communities are designed to provide fun enrichment. After you move, you can have easy access to a pool you don’t have to maintain, a beauty salon just down the hall, or a creative arts studio where you can try your hand at painting. An on-campus putting green may top your list of what to look for in a senior living community — why not try to find it?
Is The Buckingham Right for You?
At The Buckingham, we’re proud of the lifestyle, amenities and care we provide. Our number one goal is the health and happiness of our residents. We want each day to be interesting and fulfilling. We provide opportunities to serve your holistic wellness. And we’ll be honest — the food is delicious. If you think a luxury senior living lifestyle in Houston, Texas, could be for you, contact us. A member of our team would be happy to provide more details.