Seniors For Living

Maybe you can’t actually stay overnight like 43-year-old ProAging publisher Steve Gurney did (read about his adventures while living in a retirement community here), but seeing assisted living from a resident’s point of view is a great way to inform your decision. When you tour the community, imagine yourself there. Would you be satisfied with the care and services provided? Would you enjoy the activities on the calendar? Are the rooms/apartments an adequate size and well-appointed?

Now, imagine your family member as a resident there. As you walk through the halls, can you picture your relative engaging with neighbors? Do you get a sense that privacy is respected? Does it seem that the community is safe and secure? Are the staff friendly and competent?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of simply taking in the physical aspects of the assisted living home, but just because a place has beautiful furnishings, elegant carpets and lovely wallcoverings doesn’t make it the right place for your senior loved one.

Finding the right assisted living community may not always be a “love at first sight” kind of thing. In fact, you and your senior relative may want to visit several times before making a final decision. Tip: Visit on a weekend or a midweek evening, as the view is quite different from that of a weekday 9-5.