Questions to Ask Your Parent Before Choosing a Senior Living Community

Making the decision to move your aging parent into a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) can be difficult for everyone involved. Unfortunately, due to outdated stereotypes, some older adults are resistant to the idea of senior living communities because they fear losing their independence. Even though the conversations about CCRCs can be tense, honest communication is key to ensuring your family makes the right decision for  your senior loved one’s well being . 

It’s important to take your parent’s opinions, thoughts, and feelings into consideration when choosing a senior living community. Here at UMC, we’ve put together a list of essential questions to talk through with your parent that will help identify the best living arrangement for them:

• If your health needs change, do you want to move or stay where you are? One reason CCRCs are so popular is that if your loved one’s health needs change, there’s no need for them to uproot themselves and move into a new community. They can stay right where they are and continue receiving the medical care they need. Moving, especially for seniors, can be stressful and anxiety-inducing because they have to acclimate to an entirely new environment. In a CCRC like UMC at Bristol Glen, your loved one can remain in their community even when their health and medical needs change.

• What level of support do you require in your everyday life? There is no one-size-fits-all approach to senior living – every senior has a different spectrum of needs and requires a customized level of support. Perhaps your aging parent only needs help with sporadic tasks like cleaning and laundry, or maybe they need more hands-on support with everyday things like dressing and cooking. 

• Do you need help getting out of bed, getting up out of a chair, or using the restroom? Assessing your parent’s mobility is an important part of deciding which assisted living arrangement will be best for them. The levels of care provided in CCRCs range from minimal support to full-on assistance, and it’s important to understand what type of support your loved one will need with their general mobility, such as getting out of bed in the morning or moving from room to room. 

Preparing for assisted living in Sussex County

We understand that your parent might be apprehensive or maybe even a little resistant to the idea of moving into a CCRC. We encourage you to come visit UMC at Bristol Glen, so the whole family can experience the benefits of living our vibrant, thriving CCRC first-hand. You’ll find a diverse range of senior residents who retain their independence, while pursuing their hobbies and new interests. You’ll also have a chance to see the varying levels of care our dedicated associates provide. 

CCRCs are designed to allow residents to continue living their lives as they wish for as long as possible. Rather than hinder independence, CCRCs do exactly the opposite – they provide essential medical care that enables older adults to remain independent and remain active for as long as it’s safe for them to do so.

For more information about UMC at Bristol Glen, or if you have any questions about having the conversation with your senior parent, please contact our team today. Discover why so many people in and around Sussex County New Jersey choose our CCRC for their loved ones.