There are many reasons for why someone might decide to move to a senior living community. They can range from wanting to be a part of an active community, to seeking out care services, and everything in between. Likewise there are also a range of lifestyle and care options for someone to choose from. To make the process easier, we have come up with 8 steps to guide you toward finding the best senior living apartment community for you.
1. Determine The Level of Care Needed
Your health is a foremost concern, and with different types of communities providing various levels of care, you will want to ensure your needs are met. Let’s look at the four most common senior living communities.
Independent Living Senior Apartments
The key focus is on providing an active social environment while alleviating stresses that can come with home ownership. Communities range from luxury resort-like campuses, to upscale apartment complexes with attached community centers. In an independent living community a resident can expect the following services:
- Recreational, social, and educational programs
- Wellness programs/fitness centers
- Dining services
- Housekeeping
- Home/property maintenance
- 24 Hour Security
- Scheduled transportation
Assisted Living Senior Apartments
Adding on to the social components and security/maintenance of independent living, assisted living focuses on providing additional care services which may include:
- Support services for daily living needs
- Medication supervision
- Massage therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
Short Term or Long Term Rehabilitation
For some seniors a move to a senior living community might only be temporary as they undergo rehabilitation for an injury. In cases like this, or during long term stays at a rehabilitation community seniors can expect:
- 24/7 Access to expert staff and nurses
- On site physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Mental health services
Living arrangements are often private suites that offer in-suite dining prepared by an on campus chef. Though the main focus is on recovery, there is plenty of access to social activities, and residents can expect laundry and housekeeping services.
Memory Care Community
Those living with Alzheimer’s, or dementia require special care. These communities often center around specialized nurses and staff trained to provide ultimate care and opportunity to explore interests. In addition to therapeutic programs surrounding memory, residents are offered:
- Personalized care plans
- Dedicated secure outdoor spaces
- Routine night checks
- 24/7 security
General housekeeping, transportation, and dining services are similar to the other communities.
2. Form a Budget & Desired Lifestyle
The cost of a senior living community can fluctuate dramatically depending on the amenities offered, level of care, and location. Determine what amenities you can and can’t live without. Think about your living space, how many rooms and what size would meet your needs? With a rough idea of these items you can then focus on location.
3. Pick a Location
You might already know you are interested in a senior living community in Nashville, or another senior friendly city but do you have a neighborhood in mind? Figuring out what area you prefer to live in will help narrow your choices and give you a better idea of prices.
4. Research Communities that Match and Form a Short List
At this point in your search you will want to find what communities offer the care and services you need and fall in budget.
5. Compare and Contrast Services & Amenities
The communities you have found may all offer your basic needs, but what are some areas where a community shines, or lacks. Does one community cost a little more but offer better amenities? Will you realistically use these amenities?
6. Review Resident Testimonials & Business Reviews
Look more closely at the communities and what residents have to say. Has the community recently won any senior living awards, or been reviewed by a trustworthy third party organization? In this step it’s important to discern trustworthiness.
7. Schedule a Tour
Your list should be whittled down to a few choices. Before you make any decision you will want to tour the community and get a chance to ask questions.
8. Ask Follow-Up Questions
After touring all of your options it’s likely you can now better compare the two. With this in mind, form some follow-up questions to send to all the places you toured. Ask if they have any additional resources for you to read before making a decision. This will offer you one last look and might bring up previously missed red flags, or green lights.
Now, the only thing left to do is make a decision!
Blakeford Ranked Nashville’s Best for Senior Living
As a nonprofit provider of quality senior lifestyle solutions, Blakeford Senior Life was recently awarded the Best of Nashville for Senior Living 2022. This is one of many on a long record of the best senior care in Nashville for over 35 years.
With an inclusive suite of communities including independent living, assisted living, short and long term rehabilitation, and memory care, we are ready to welcome you to Blakeford.