Tips for Choosing the Right Senior Living Community

Have you been thinking that it’s about time to make the move into a senior living community? Despite the outdated stereotypes, many of today’s senior living communities are vibrant, thriving places. Places where older adults can enjoy their retirement years while maintaining full independence. If you’ve started your search for the right senior living community for you, here are some tips or questions to answer that will help you choose. 

Does the senior community offer enough activities and amenities?

Many older adults use their retirement years to explore new hobbies and interests, as well as devote more time to activities they love. Many senior living communities offer a variety of activities and amenities, like a tennis court, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a hair salon, a movie room, and a range of classes, including cooking, sewing, gardening, painting, music, and much more. 

When scouting potential senior living communities, ask for a list of their activities and amenities to ensure you can pursue your unique hobbies and interests. Ensure there are enough options so you’ll have a chance to try something new. Who knows, you may even end up discovering a new passion! 

Is the location of the senior living community ideal?

Understandably, most people don’t want to move far away from their local stomping grounds. You likely have family and friends in close proximity to where you live now, and choosing a nearby senior living community will help you maintain those existing relationships. One benefit of moving into a senior community is that you’ll be surrounding yourself with potential new friends in your same age group, and you’ll be able to have visits from your children and your grandchildren whenever you want. 

Are there varying levels of care available under one roof?

Each senior requires a different level of care. Perhaps you’re completely independent and simply want to live around people your own age, or maybe you need a little bit of help with daily tasks like cleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking. Some people have specific health or medical needs, some have limited mobility or are recovering from injuries, and others need help with things like medication management and moving from point A to point B. 

Ideally, the senior living community you choose will offer different care options all in the same location. That way, you won’t need to uproot your life and move to another community if your care needs change. Once you find a senior community you love, it’s comforting to know that you’ll be able to stay there for many years to come. 

Do the values of the senior community match my own?

It’s important that the values and mission of the senior living community align with your personal beliefs. Many older adults struggle with the idea of moving into a senior community because they think it means sacrificing their independence. If this is how you feel, you should look for a community that prioritizes helping seniors maintain their independence for as long as possible. 

The senior living community should also put its residents’ safety, security, and comfort above all else, and we recommend you ask about values and mission when touring different communities. You can also ask to speak with current residents and members of staff to learn more, and don’t forget to read the online reviews after you visit in person. 

For more information on choosing the senior living community that best fits your needs, please contact our team at UMC today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/