Choosing a senior living community is an important decision that goes far beyond amenities and floorplans – it’s about finding a place where you feel safe and supported; somewhere you feel truly at home. With many senior living options available, it’s essential to understand what each community offers – and does not offer – so you can make an educated decision. In this blog, we’ll explore what the best senior living communities look like.
Location
We’ve heard the phrase, “location, location, location” when house hunting and that still holds true when searching for the best senior living communities. Many seniors choose a senior living community based on location. Sometimes that means choosing a community that is centrally located to all of life’s needs, while other times a good location might look like choosing your hometown or an area where family is located.
Reputation
The best senior living communities are generally those that are more highly regarded and that is often based on important factors like care provided, friendliness of staff and other residents, and accommodations.
While you might be exploring options for the future or primarily focused on independent living, make sure you are still researching what they offer in terms of additional care and what their reputation in terms of care looks like.
Services & Amenities
You deserve to live each day of your retirement to the fullest and the best senior living communities stand out because of their curated services and amenities.
When touring, make sure to ask about their service offerings. While many communities offer a continuum of care with independent living, assisted living, and memory care, the communities that stand out often provide additional services beyond that to encourage residents to stay as independent as possible.
Most senior living communities are social paradises with plenty of onsite amenities and activities to keep your calendar filled. However, everyday life can vary from one community to the next based on their amenities. Make sure you find a community that has amenities that will help YOU live each day of your retirement to the fullest.
Continuum of Care
While we recommend moving into senior living BEFORE it becomes a need, it’s still important to recognize that there will likely come a day when you do require additional care. The best senior living communities offer a continuum of care, so residents can seamlessly transition from one care level to the next when their needs change.
It’s been proven that making a move late in life can be detrimental to health, both mentally and physically. A community offering a continuum of care allows its residents to age gracefully and remain within the comfort of the community they call home.
Personal Feel
While each of the factors we’ve explored thus far are important when searching for the best senior living communities, personal feel is by far the most valuable. How do you feel as you walk through the community? Are the residents and staff welcoming? Do the accommodations meet your standards? Do you feel at home? This is the MOST important question you’ll ask yourself when looking for the best senior living community for YOU!
At Sunset Senior Communities, we offer a full continuum of care so our residents can confidently age in place within the community they call home. If you find yourself trying to navigate the journey of finding the perfect senior living community for you, we’re here to help! Simply fill out our website contact form.