Finding the Perfect Senior Living Home for Your Loved One

When an elderly family member can no longer live alone, family members have a decision to make. They may choose to have the senior move in with one of them or look into senior living accommodations. Many families find a senior living home the best option because their loved one will be surrounded by their peers, they will have help when needed, and they will benefit from the senior community’s activities and amenities. However, the perfect senior living home for this individual must be found. How can a family find it? 

Talk With the Senior’s Medical Team

The senior’s medical team is a good starting point when looking for living accommodations. They know the individual’s physical status and what they may need help with. Based on the senior’s current health status, they can also give the family an idea of when additional care may be required. For example, they can share how, over at Belmont Village, residents can receive the care they need regardless of their physical and cognitive status. Why is this important? 

Care Levels

Seniors don’t want to move frequently. They would prefer to stay once they find a community they like. Senior living accommodations fall on a spectrum. Men and women who don’t need help with daily living activities often move to independent living, while those who require help with daily living activities benefit from assisted living. Individuals with dementia require memory care to ensure they remain safe while receiving the stimulation they need. Continuing care communities offer multiple levels of care, so residents won’t need to change communities. They can relocate within the community and have familiar faces and surroundings when doing so. There is less of an adjustment when this option is selected. 

Price

Families often focus on price when choosing accommodations for a loved one, and they may overlook various funding sources. These communities have different prices, and families must determine how much they or the seniors can afford to pay. Talk with staff members at different locations to see if they know additional funding sources to help keep the costs down. These funding sources may include long-term care insurance, pensions, and local government programs. 

Potential Locations

Create a list of potential communities for the family member. Consider the care level needed, the location, the amenities, and the price of each. Tour these communities to see if they would be a good fit. Try to visit multiple times and choose a different time for each visit. Doing so will give the family a better idea of staffing levels, activities offered, meals provided, and more. Talk with residents and staff members to learn the benefits and drawbacks of each community. Ask plenty of questions during these visits. If staff members are unwilling or unable to answer many of these questions, it may be best to look elsewhere. 

Choose a community for the loved one with their input. This community will be their new home, so they must be included in the decision-making process whenever possible. It should offer opportunities for them to socialize and engage in activities they love while being convenient to their medical appointments and nearby family members. Don’t rush the process. Families want to make the right choice and may feel overwhelmed by what is available. Spend time researching the communities so that the right fit can be found.