According to the CDC's latest data, there are 30,600 assisted living communities in the USA. Only 818,800 of the nearly 1.2 million available spots are taken, leaving families with many options to choose from when looking for vibrant communities to join or trust their loved ones with.
Choosing the right assisted living facility is critical, so one must ask which factors make the best choice. In this brief guide, we'll go through all the crucial quality and logistical factors that make a community worth it. Read on to learn what types of things to consider.
The primary factors to consider are those that will make the new living situation more practical than the current one. These factors include non-negotiables (basic needs) and logistical factors that would have to make everyone's lives easier.
In addition to the care element, assisted living services must provide for all a resident's basic needs. The residences and all common areas must be comfortable, structurally sound, and provide adequate climate control. The community also needs a good security system to protect the residents.
Additionally, assisted living services must be available, and the staff must be qualified and registered. Trained caregivers are equipped to provide necessary assistance. The registration process also gives a measure of security because it involves a background check.
The last sub-requirement in the basics brackets is the food. A community should have access to healthy foods that taste good all year round. Maintaining good nutrition is critical to aging healthily, and an assisted living community has to be able to accommodate that.
Location is another crucial factor to consider when looking for an assisted living center. The location should ideally be in a safer neighborhood and far from densely packed urban areas. A quieter location often translates to a more peaceful experience and lifestyle.
However, the location should also not be too far removed from society, so it's challenging to access clinics, hospitals, or airports (to name a few examples). Closeness to family also plays a significant role in picking the right location. Being closer to family and friends makes visits much more convenient, often resulting in more frequent visits.
Most people who live on a combination of pensions, retirement annuities, and social security payments have to manage a fixed income for the rest of their lives. Because of this, cost considerations are a big deal.
Different assisted living centers have different pricing structures. Some charge a monthly rental for the living, while others allow you to buy a unit or house on the grounds. You'll also be paying for the assistance and extra services at each community (e.g., security, gardening services, etc.).
You will need to keep your medical budget in mind when assessing affordability. It's essential to ensure that you are comfortable with the costs involved. Not only to see what you can afford but also to gauge how much spending money you want for trips and other nice things.
The last thing to make sure of is that the housing options and services available fit well. Take time to review the assisted living floor plans to see if they can accommodate your family visiting, mobility issues, and any extra services you might need.
When an assisted living community has a variety of living options, you're also not forced into paying for more than you need. For example, you won't have to pay the same price as a memory care resident if you don't have that particular need.
The basics allow people to live in an assisted living community, but many quality-of-life bonuses enable a person to thrive. These are the sorts of things that make the assisted living community an enjoyable place to live. In addition to being nice to have, these types of factors have been proven to benefit a person's overall health in certain ways, too!
Allowing pets into an assisted living community has several green flags in one. Firstly, it shows that both the staff and other residents have a friendly quality to them. Your furry friend won't be the target of the ire of disgruntled residents or staff.
Secondly, it shows that staff are willing to go above and beyond to let the community put the residents' happiness at the center. Allowing pets necessitates extra cleaning and maintenance, but having pets is worth the effort for many people. Pet friendliness means an arbitrary rule doesn't diminish a resident's fulfillment.
It's good to look at what kinds of communal spaces an assisted living community has in your search. Almost every type of community has a communal area, but are they all the same? Some places don't focus on providing their residents with a variety of common areas for different activities.
If an assisted living community has quieter, smaller relaxing venues and larger activity centers, then you know that residents benefit from freedom of choice and movement. It's a bonus if the community regularly hosts events for the residents in some of these venues.
The last thing to look for is a bustling, positive community. There's always a chance for new friendships and fun interactions when the residents enjoy spending time with each other. The positivity also reflects that the staff and each other treat the residents well.
Choosing the right assisted living facility is not as straightforward as moving into the first place you find. Taking time to take a more detailed look can help you pick a place that truly fits all your needs.
Practically, the community must cover the basics, be in a sensible location, be affordable, and the assisted living floor plans must also be able to cater to the task. You should also look at policies like pet-friendliness and assess the community's recreation areas. These factors show whether the community is an enjoyable place to live.
Prarie Hills Tipton covers all these wonderful elements and more! If you're looking for the best retirement community in Tipton, IA, schedule a tour with us today.