A Senior's Guide to Selecting the Right Healthcare Community

As you make plans for the future, you have a lot of different places to live from which to choose. If you've thought ahead, you already know that senior living communities offer many services and amenities that can improve your life. But what's it like to live in a place like that, and how can you make the most of it?

Many adults are at least interested in senior living. Still, most don't know the real benefits of moving to a community for seniors where they don't have to worry about housework.

Are Senior Homes a Good Fit for a Family Member or Me?
Seniors want more from their retirement years than just a place to live. They want more ways to keep busy and spend time with friends and family. According to the Population Reference Bureau's "Aging in the United States" report, the number of Americans 65 and older is expected to surpass 95 million by 2060. So, you're not alone looking for the perfect place to live.

We know what you're thinking: "Senior living isn't for someone like me who is busy and likes to do things."

But we're not talking about the nursing home where your grandmother lives. Living arrangements for seniors have changed a lot over the past few decades. Senior living communities today are full of activities and events planned down to the last detail to improve the whole person's health.


What Does Life Look Like for Seniors in Elderly Healthcare Facilities?
Living arrangements for seniors are not all the same. You can choose a community that has everything you want, making it easier to get resources to reach your own health goals and wellness plans.

Today's communities come in many different shapes and sizes. They offer services and amenities that appeal to active adults who want more than just a lovely apartment or cottage. The best places for seniors to live are made to improve your already beautiful and meaningful life.

What are the Common Benefits of Being Part of a Senior Community?
Those who choose to live in a senior community get a lot of benefits, but here are three of the most important ones:

Connection
The word "community" doesn't just mean a place. It's a way of being that makes us feel connected to our neighbors, the natural world, and the rest. This makes seniors feel stimulated, inspired, delighted, and enriched. It makes life full of good things to look forward to.

One of the main reasons why people move to a retirement community is to meet new people. If you don't have any plans for the week but want to meet new people, a senior housing community might be perfect for you. You can meet people in your neighborhood by joining a music group, a book club, or a new fitness class. 

Well-Being
Chair yoga, Zumba, and strength training are great ways seniors can stay fit and healthy. Most of the time, the benefits of working out every day outweigh the risks. Even health problems like memory loss, heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure can be helped by fitness.

Tired of the trouble of cooking, going to the store, and doing the dishes? Residents of senior communities get three delicious meals a day made fresh by chefs and meet their nutritional needs. As a bonus, dining rooms that look like restaurants encourage people to eat with friends and family, making each meal a fun social event that people look forward to. In a retirement home, you can celebrate something new every day.

Security
Falls and injuries can occur at home, and if you live alone, the idea of not getting help is scary. To give everyone peace of mind and for everyone's safety alert systems are put in each apartment in retirement communities.

And residents with mild to severe health problems can choose a lifestyle that includes nursing care available every hour on a daily basis. This way, their medical needs are always met.

Choosing the Right Community
Moving to an assisted, independent, or memory care facility for seniors is a big step, and finding the appropriate place can be difficult. What kind of home are you looking for? Where do you spend most of your time? Be sure to keep in mind your top three "must-haves" when browsing for senior living options.

In addition, it's critical to take notes whenever you visit a senior living facility. These excursions are packed with information; you'll want to jot down everything you see, hear, and absorb. To help and guide you on your search for the perfect senior living community, we've compiled a list of questions and a comprehensive senior living guide.


Senior Living Guide and Checklist
Here are some of the questions you can ask the staff as you inquire about their services and senior community facilities:

LOCATION/PROXIMITY
Is it close to stores, doctors' offices, and other local amenities?
Is it close enough for friends and family to come to visit?
Where do you live, are there civic and religious things to do?

SERVICES, HEALTH OPTIONS, AMENITIES
Does the neighborhood have the services, amenities, and things you want to do?
What kinds of health care do people in the community have access to?
What will happen if people's needs for health care change?
What does the service fee for each month cover?
Can you bring pets with you?

WOULD IT WORK?
What was your first impression when you get there?
Does the staff make you feel welcome, listen to you carefully, and answer all of your questions?
Do you feel good about the neighborhood?
Are you interested in any of the apartments?
What are the three best things about where you live?

INFORMATION ON MONEY AND MOVING IN
How well do you understand how the community makes money?
Will you have to pay property taxes or get homeowner's insurance?
Is there a cost to get in? What does it deal with?
Is the entrance fee refundable in whole or in part?
Is the monthly fee tax-deductible in any way?
Who decides when a person needs a higher level of care?
Is there a waiting list? If so, how does it work?

We hope that our guide to living as a senior will help you and your family through the process. Contact a Bridgeway Senior Healthcare community near you, if you have more questions or inquiries. 

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