When driving through most cities today, people will see senior living communities every few blocks. If they must choose one of these communities for a loved one, they feel overwhelmed. How do they know which one is the best?
There is no single answer to this. Every person is unique, so the right community for one individual might not be appropriate for their sibling or spouse. When considering assisted living in Provo, a family needs to find one where the senior will feel comfortable and at home. How can they find this community?
What is Assisted Living?
Before exploring assisted living communities, the family must ensure that this is the proper care option for their loved one. Assisted living is ideal for individuals who wish to remain independent but require assistance with certain activities of daily living. They enjoy the benefits of independent living while having help when needed. Furthermore, these communities provide socialization opportunities, which are crucial for seniors who often face loneliness and isolation when living alone.
Community Considerations
When comparing communities, families often look at their loved ones’ current needs. They also need to consider how these needs may change over time. If possible, a family should look for a continuing care community that provides multiple levels of care. With this type of community, a senior doesn’t need to switch communities as they need higher levels of care. They remain in the same community and move to a new unit to receive a higher level of care.
Families need to look into dining options, medical care offered, and location. However, other elements may be overlooked when making this choice. Will the community allow residents to bring their pets? Many seniors don’t want to leave their companions, and families should try to ensure they can take these furry friends along when relocating to a community. Transportation services are frequently offered for medical appointments. However, will the community help the senior get the pet to a vet when needed? Are transportation services provided for other outings?
Local amenities should also be considered when making this decision. For example, a senior may spend significant amounts of time engaging in a hobby. Will they be able to get supplies locally, or must they pay to have everything shipped in? The seniors might prefer a community with a local source for their supplies, and families should try to find this community.
Making the Choice
Once the family has found a few communities they believe will be a good fit for their loved ones, it’s time to visit these communities. Before visiting, have a list of essential items the community must have. Create a second list of desired amenities and features. However, remain flexible. At times, a senior will walk into a community and immediately feel at home. They aren’t as worried about the amenities and features because it just feels right. If the community is safe and offers those amenities the senior must have for health and safety reasons, the family should move it to the top of the list.
Families should sit down and review what they learned from these visits before choosing. However, the desires of the seniors should always come first. They are the ones who will be living in the communities and should feel safe and secure when doing so. When this community is found, they will feel right at home.
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