Making the decision to move to a senior living community means doing your due diligence to find the one that’s best for you. You may start with an online look at what’s available but ultimately you will want to tour a few senior living communities before you make your choice. To best prepare to tour a senior living community be prepared to ask the following questions.
Questions to ask when you tour a senior living community
What housing choices do I have?
Senior living communities run the gamut from ordinary to luxurious and that includes the housing choices. Many offer just one or two choices while others offer several. Since today’s seniors aren’t willing to settle for anything less than the best, at Thrive Senior Living we provide a variety of studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Each is equipped with beautiful modern appliances as well as features that enable accessibility so residents can live in comfort.
When you tour a senior living community also ask if you can bring your own furnishings and decorate as you please. We know that making a new home your own is the key to happiness and we are always ready to help make your transition as smooth as possible. Find out how to make the most of your new home in our blog, “Decorating Tips for Your Senior Living Retirement Home.”
What levels of care are available?
Making the right senior living choice means moving to the right level of care. When you tour a senior living community be sure to ask what levels of care are offered including independent living, assisted living and memory care. While you may start out in independent living, it’s best to plan for the future by moving to a community that offers a continuum of care, so you won’t have to leave if you need more care down the road. If you’re not sure which level of care is right for you, check out our blog, “Understanding Care Options in Senior Living Communities.”
Download our “Choosing the Right Senior Living Community” guide.
What is dining like?
When you tour a senior living community, two of the most important questions to ask are about the food and dining options. As noted in our blog, “6 Things to Look for when Touring Independent Living Communities,” top senior living communities offer residents chef-prepared meals served in an elegant dining room complete with linens. Meals are not only appetizing but nutritious and those on special diets can expect the same. In addition, many luxury senior living communities also offer casual dining in bistros or cafes where residents can have a quick meal or snack and enjoy a drink with friends. To make the most of every tour of a senior living community take the time to enjoy a meal so you can experience dining for yourself.
What amenities and services are included?
Services and amenities are also important to ask about. When you tour a senior living community you will want to learn exactly what is included in the monthly fee so you can compare apples to apples. As described in our blog, “Boredom Busters: Top Amenities to Expect from Today’s Senior Living Communities,” amenities include diverse daily activities, events and excursions, state-of-the-art fitness centers and exercise classes, libraries, onsite hair salons and barbershops, and movie theaters. Equally important are services such as maintenance and repair, housekeeping and linen services, and transportation to local appointments and venues. If you are a pet parent, also be sure to ask if pets are allowed, what restrictions apply, and what pet-related accommodations are available like washing stations and pet parks.
What safety and security measures are in place?
Last, but not least, when you tour a senior living community don’t forget to ask about safety and security. At Thrive Senior Living safety and security encompasses the entire community indoors and outdoors, 24/7/365. Every apartment is designed for safety and accessibility, as are all community spaces and if you love to travel you can rest assured your home will be secure while you’re away. So, whether you choose independent or assisted living or memory care, you will always have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are always safe and secure while you go about living a carefree and fulfilling lifestyle. For a more in-depth look at how we do it at Thrive, our blog, “5 Keys to Senior Living Done Better,” spells it out
To help make the right senior living choice the first time, download our “Senior Living Options” guide, then contact us to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful communities.
