Choose a senior community
There are so many different types of communities available that selecting the one to best meet your needs can be a very daunting task. This task can be especially daunting if you’re currently a senior looking to live in a senior community that will meet all your needs as you transition into an elder citizen.
But this whole extensive planning process can be made simpler by following a few standard steps.
The steps involved in choosing the senior community to best meet your needs, your lifestyle, and your pocketbook can be broken down into four steps.
These four steps are as follows.
1. Choose the type of community you need.
2. Search the types of communities available in the area you would like to live.
3. Visit the communities that interest you.
4. Narrow down your list and carefully evaluate the quality, value, and services available by each of these communities. Use your conclusions to make your final choice.
CHOOSE THE TYPE OF COMMUNITY
Carefully review the explanations of the five most common types of seniors communities explained in the previous section. If adult day care is also an option, consider this as well.
Determine the level of care you require based on your needs. Compare your needs to what you will be paying for the desired service. In most cases, the more help you require with your daily tasks, the higher level of care you’ll need.
To help figure out your current needs as well as the needs you might need in the future, make yourself a list. Ask yourself the following questions to help you make your list.
1 Do I need help with any of the basic activities required for daily living? Basic activities include eating, bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom.
2 Do I want help with any basic activities, even if I’m at the stage in my life where I don’t need this type of help yet? Basic activities such as these include cooking, cleaning, shopping, paying bills, or getting to appointments.
3 Do I have health problems where I currently need additional care?
4 Do I have health problems where I will need additional care in the future? Additional care services can be anything as simple as help using eye drops due to arthritis to taking care of bladder catheters. Other additional care services could include help or reminders to take medications, getting oxygen, monitoring diabetes, or taking care of colostomy catheters.
5 What can I afford? How much do I want to spend on my housing?
6 Based on my needs and wants, what is most important to me? Is price the most important factor? Service and amenities? Is location extremely important to me? Do I need a place where I can take my pet along?
