Once your parent decides to move to a senior living community, the options can quickly become overwhelming. Coupled with the potentially emotionally draining aspects of a major life change, it’s perfectly understandable that you’ll want to do everything you can to help make the transition as seamless as possible.
So, where do you start? Here are seven tips for helping your parent find a senior living community.
1. Involve Your Parent As Much As Possible
Depending on the age, physical and mental condition of your parent, he or she may not want to be too involved in the process. But if they’re up for it, do your best to give them an active role in selecting their new home. Remember: Your parent is the one who will be living there—not you.
2. Start with Budget
The costs of senior living communities vary considerably, so finances are always a good place to start when figuring out which life care communities you’ll be comparing. Do yourself (and your parent) a favor and don’t visit any community that is out of their budget—you don’t want to develop unrealistic expectations about what your parent can and cannot afford.
3. Think About the Future
Even if your parents are still able to independently care for themselves, there might come a time in the future when they will need personal care services. Knowing what’s available can help you plan and prepare for challenges down the line.
4. Observe the Staff
A senior living community can have all the amenities in the world, but none are as important as a caring and qualified staff. When you visit prospective communities, pay attention to how staff members interact with residents and other staff or families.
5. Attend an Event or Activity
One way to get an accurate representation of daily life at a senior living community is to attend an event or activity. Even something as simple as a meal at an on-site restaurant can help your parent begin to envision their new home. It also will allow you to see some “behind the scenes” examples of how residents interact.
6. Think About Lifestyle and Interests
The social aspect of a senior living community is often the biggest draw for retirees, so talk to your parent about what kind of comforts, activities and amenities they’d like to have in their new home. The more comfortable they feel, the more empowered they will be to get to know other residents and make new friends. Similarly, there may be certain lifestyle necessities—like access to golfing—that can help you narrow down your list of possible communities.
7. Ask Hard Questions
Doing your research before visiting a community can prepare you to ask the questions necessary to make sure this is a good choice for your parent. Bring a list of concerns you need addressed—everything from security to cleanliness to contracts—and don’t be afraid to discuss difficult topics. Knowing your options and understanding the process can make this transition far easier on your parent in the long run.
And don’t forget: Patience and open communication go a long way, especially when it comes to making big decisions. You’ll be glad you took the time to carefully research once your parent is happily settled in their new home.
Comparing retirement communities can be challenging, but we’ve developed a resource to help simplify the process. Check out our free resource: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing a Life Care Community.
