One thing that many think about when nearing retirement is moving into an assisted living community. It is a major life event for most mature adults and might even be overwhelming for them. Many things need to be considered before the move, which is why it is important to plan a few years ahead. A lot of time and effort is needed to pick the right assisted living community, as not all communities are the same. Here are four considerations for assisted living communities for you to look into during the planning phase.
Finding the Right Community
Many communities offer assisted living services, and they usually have varying levels of service. There are continuing care retirement communities that provide care for residents through their community journey. Most residents would have expected certain aspects of their health to deteriorate in the long run, which can be a deciding factor in their choice of community. There are also assisted living communities that offer assistance and care for daily activities without taking away their resident’s independence. Lastly, you may find a few unique communities that act like retirement villages, which are great places for people who love socializing. When choosing your options, ensure that you know what exactly your loved ones need in terms of services and plan ahead. If you suspect that your loved ones will require more assistance in the future due to certain health conditions, then a continuing care retirement community would be recommended. Budget is also an important aspect to consider during this phase.
Research and Visit the Communities
When you are down to the last few candidates, do a bit more research on the communities themselves. Check on what facilities are available as well as the services provided. If you have any relatives or friends living in the community, you can also ask for their thoughts. Ensure that the community has the right credentials and suits the needs of your loved ones. Visit the communities as well to check on the cleanliness of the spaces, the team, and resident interactions, along with the safety and security aspects of the community. Do not be afraid to ask the administrators and team members anything you may want to know. If the agreements have been drafted, compare them with one another and decide on which is a better fit for your loved ones. The agreements will show what are the inclusions, the team-to-resident ratio along with other important information like payment periods.
Check On Your Loved Ones
Once your loved ones have settled in, do check in on them once in a while to ensure that they are well engaged and coping with the new environment. Talk with the team about how your loved ones are doing and if there is any requirement to increase the care given to your loved ones, you can talk to their doctor accordingly. Check on their care service as well as the prescriptions provided.
