When do you know it's time for a retirement community?
The decision to move into a senior living community is a decision that is unique to the person that requires additional senior care. And knowing when is a decision each person must also make. There are many signs that a new living arrangement is needed for seniors. These signs may include the inability to manage a home, make meals, take prescription medicine, a feeling of loneliness, and other possible issues.
Once you have decided that there is a need for a retirement community, you should review your options and choose the best retirement community for your needs. We've provided some useful tips, and important factors, for choosing a retirement community residence.
Choosing a senior living residence is an important decision. To make your decision, it means you must come to the realization that living alone in a home may not be best place for you at this time of your life or your loved one's life. Leaving your home is never easy, but fortunately there are more senior living options than ever before.
Senior living offers choice about where you or your loved one wants to live, choice about the services provided to residents, and choice about the levels of care and types of environment that bests meets you or your loved one's physical and emotional needs. Each senior living resident is a unique, so high-quality senior living residences will offer a wide range of choices.
Most retirement communities are created for seniors wanting an active lifestyle. However, being active is not a requirement. Active retirement communities are filled with options and opportunities for daily living. The average age of residents in a retirement community often rises as the community ages. The average age of new residents, however, may continue to be in the early sixties.
While every senior living community is different, typical services include:
- Housekeeping services
- Transportation
- Access to health and medical services
- Staff available to respond to both scheduled and unscheduled needs
- 24-hour security
- Emergency call systems
- Wellness programs
- Medication management
- Social and recreational activities
- Pastoral services and volunteer opportunities
Assessing Senior Living Care Needs
Because a variety of senior living care settings are available, such as independent living, personal care, and skilled nursing, it is important to assess your care needs or the care needs of a loved one. Some seniors may need little to no assistance and enjoy independent living in a cottage, a villa, or an apartment. Other seniors may need medication management and some health care monitoring and will require personal care options. And some seniors may have acute care needs and will require a level of skilled nursing care.
More advanced needs could include:
- Assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and walking
- Alzheimer's care and memory support
- Personal laundry services
Family Caregiver Considerations
Families often make a decision together about when it is time to consider moving into a senior living care facility or retirement community. This allows for the time needed to do some research and explore the concerns of the senior. This type of planning leads to feeling more confident with the decisions made. The idea of moving from a home is troubling for many people, requiring a move to an unknown situation. Many seniors worry about loss of control and independence.
Families and potential senior residents with Alzheimer's or dementia should visit retirement communities together. The Alzheimer's Association provides tips for helping care for and make decisions for a loved one with dementia.
After reviewing the needs, follow your heart to know exactly when it is time for you or your loved one to make the transition to a retirement community. Change is seldom easy, but most seniors enjoy a better quality of life in their senior living residence.
