The self-assessment you may have completed earlier probably gave you some good insight into the type of senior living that will be best for you. Each option has differences, and the choice is yours, depending on your personal and financial situation.
Before you visit a community, here are a few suggestions of resources you could consider to help you make choices:
Consult with your family and friends. Your children or close family members will be very interested in your search and your decision. Naturally, you’ll want to be the one to make the final decision, however, family and friends can be very helpful in providing advice, as well as visiting the communities with you. They can help you gather more information and ask questions as you visit. Plus, family and friends can help with an objective discussion of each community you are considering.
Talk to other sources such as your attorney, accountant, banker, financial planner, clergy, doctor, or other community-based organizations. These individuals are familiar with senior living options and can provide you with valuable information.
When visiting a community here are suggestions of items and services you should examine:
Is the location of the community convenient and where you would like to live? You might consider if the location is convenient for family to visit, shopping, medical clinics, churches or synagogues, and the cultural and social events you enjoy.
Based on the assessment of your needs, does the facility offer the services you would like? These may include assisted living services, dining, housekeeping and linens, parking for your car, social and recreational activities, transportation, 24-hour staff, or others.
Make sure the community is clean and well maintained. Does it have proper accessibility? Is there a beauty/barber shop, convenience store, private dining room, and guest apartments for family and visitors? If dining is offered, are the serving hours convenient and flexible for your schedule? Does it offer convenient laundry facilities, cable television, and utilities?
You will meet many people when you visit the community. Be sure to talk to the staff and get a sense of how they like their jobs, their management, the residents, and their co-workers. Also, be sure to visit with the residents. They are often very happy to give you insight into service and general overviews of the community. Find out if they are happy and feel well taken care of and secure. Most importantly, do they view the community as “their home”?
Find out how extensive their experience is in senior housing and services. Do they have a good reputation for service and follow through? The residents can provide you with helpful information about how the management runs the building.
Before you visit a community, take some time to write down questions based on your personal assessment scores. For example, if you scored five points in the section regarding household chores, make sure you understand what the community offers for housekeeping and laundry services. Take your list with you—the staff should take the time to make sure your questions are answered. Be sure you understand the costs, the way the community’s fee schedule is structured, and what is included in your monthly fee. If there are any responses you don’t understand, feel free to continue asking questions until you are comfortable.
When you tour model apartments, you may need to use your imagination for furniture placement, etc. Chances are, some of the furniture you now own will not be able to be moved with you. Be sure and ask about decorating services available, and if possible, ask to see the actual apartment you will be renting. Most communities have people on staff who are experienced in helping you design your apartment, and many will decorate your apartment to suit your tastes. Many provide move-in coordination and assistance.
There is no better way to see if you will like the food than to try it. You will get a good idea of the quality and level of service from a lunch at the community. Do not forget to ask about special diet services if you have restrictions in your personal menu.
There is a lot to be said for just “dropping in” on a community, but to make sure you are able to meet with all of the key people, it is better to make an appointment. These are the people who will have an influence on your quality of life, so you will want the opportunity to meet with them.