Advice for choosing the right independent living facility

What to consider when looking for an Independent Living community

As we enter our retirement years, we often start thinking about what to do when we need a bit of help in our daily lives. Many people turn to senior living. Independent Living communities are a good option for those who are still active but don’t want all the hassles of home maintenance and other chores. For those who want to plan further ahead, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer escalating levels of care as needed without drastic changes in monthly fees. No matter what type of senior living your looking for, there are several things to consider before you turn to Google and search, “find senior living near me.” 

Budget

The first thing you want to consider is your budget. Talking with your financial advisor is a good first step in understanding what your monthly income will be in retirement. If you expect to rely on government assistance and Section 8 funds for senior living, your options will be more limited than if you can afford to pay your fees on your own. 

Location

Where you want to retire can have a big impact on your budget and is one of the first things to ask before you start researching senior living prices. Opting for a lower cost of living location may save you some money each month, but if it’s far from your family and friends, you may spend that in travel costs. Similarly, if you already have a good health care team in place or have specialized needs that can only be treated in certain locations, it may benefit you to stay in your current location or move to be closer to a specialist center. If you’re an avid golfer, finding a spot near a golf course might be best, while those with allergies or arthritis may want to take that into consideration when selecting the location. Senior living is a growing industry, so there should be plenty of options when you decide to start your search. 

Type of care needed

If you’re still in good health and able to accomplish activities of daily living on your own, like dressing or bathing, an active Independent Living community might be the best fit. But if you need a little more help each day, Assisted Living can make your quality of life even better. As CCRCs, FellowshipLIFE communities offer long-term care plans, which means your care evolves as your needs evolve. 

Timing

Finding the best Independent Living community for you may take some time. You’ll want to do plenty of research and take tours of the most likely communities. Depending on the community, there may be a wait list. Senior housing funded by the government may have a wait list several months or even years long, while other communities may have immediate openings. Other timing considerations could include selling assets, such as your home, to pay for your care or more acute needs if there is a change in your health. The more time you have to find the best community for you and arrange your move, the better. 

Services and amenities

The community you choose will be your new home, possibly for quite some time. So you want to think about what services and amenities are important to you. Do you need to express your creativity through arts and crafts? Do you value a vigorous workout routine? Do you want someone else to worry about shoveling snow from the driveway? Make a list of what is most important to you to compare with what each community you’re considering offers. 

Healthcare and staffing

Staying healthy is one of the best ways to stay active and thrive in retirement. So having a good healthcare team and a helpful staff is key. Is there a doctor or nurse on site? What health care options are available in the community or nearby? What is the staff to resident ratio? How are changing health needs identified and, in a CCRC, how is it determined if a different level of care is needed? At FellowshipLIFE, you can take advantage of genetic counselling to help inform your current needs and gain insight into possible future needs. 

Find your home at FellowshipLIFE

FellowshipLIFE has four wonderful communities to choose from offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing. Contact us today to learn more about our communities and see if we’re the right fit for you.