How to Pick the Right Affordable Senior Independent Living Apartment or Assisted Living Facility
Moving an aging loved one into an affordable assisted living facility or senior independent living apartment can be a big challenge. Fortunately, there are many options. But choosing the right one can become an overwhelming task.
Deciding when to make this transition is difficult. But once it’s decided, caregivers need to find a community where their aging loved one can feel at home. Besides making sure they are well-looked after, you also need to ensure it’s right for their personality and lifestyle.
If you are searching for an affordable senior living apartment or assisted living facility, this short guide provides key information to select the right option.
Let’s get started.
Factors to Consider When Looking for a Good (and Affordable) Senior Independent Living Apartment or Assisted Living Facility (Short Checklist)
Read this guide to find a suitable and affordable senior independent living apartment or assisted living facility for an aging loved one.
1. Affordability
When searching for an affordable senior independent living apartment or assisted living community, you will of course consider its cost. You may want to work with a financial planner on this. They can determine which assets your parents can sell off or budget their retirement funds to cover housing costs. If you are planning to pay for their accommodations, make sure you and your partner/spouse agree on how much should be spent.
Contact the best retirement living communities near you for estimates based on your loved one’s needs. This makes it necessary to have a transparent discussion, as this will help you understand which facilities you can look into.
2. Cleanliness and Curb Appeal
Whether you choose an apartment or assisted living facility, it will be your loved one’s new home. And it’s the small details that will reveal how the space will be maintained, as well as how it might enrich their mental and physical wellbeing.
Make note of the outdoor areas and entryways. Courtyards, gardens and porch seating signal a welcoming social environment.
Also pay attention to the following details:
- ● Accessibility features such as widened doors and elevators, wheelchair accessibility, and stair lifts
- ● Safety features such as grab bars, handrails, and zero-threshold showers
- ● Social areas such as lounges, dining areas, and event or community halls
- ● General maintenance in the facility’s common areas and surroundings
- ● Decor details such as comfortable furniture, uplifting or calming colours, and whether there is scope for personalization.
3. Location
The location of the facility is also important. For instance, your senior may prefer to live in the community where they spent most of their life, whether that’s the city or the suburbs. This allows them to stay close to friends and familiar surroundings.
On the other hand, family members may want their aging loved one to live close by so it’s easier for them to visit.
You also have to consider the facility’s proximity to healthcare providers such as a doctor’s office or hospital.
Find out whether they want to lead an active lifestyle or grow a small backyard garden. This will help you determine which senior independent living facility or assisted living community is the best fit.
Finding and choosing the right affordable senior living apartment or assisted living facility can seem overwhelming but doesn’t have to be. Following these tips will determine which facility is the right choice.