Finding the right senior living community to call home can seem overwhelming, but navigating this course for you or a loved one doesn’t have to be with the right information to help you along this journey. There’s a lot to consider when thinking about future plans concerning residential, lifestyle, and health options, but with these easy-to-follow steps, questions, and actions, you’ll feel more at ease about your retirement decisions.
Senior Living Defined
Senior living has come a long way over the years, particularly in redefining the perception of it being solely identified as a skilled nursing facility. In fact, senior living should be understood as communities where residents flourish with a thriving, independent, active lifestyle with access to quality care available at any time.
Typically, independent living is an opportunity for residents 55 and older to enjoy residential communities with all the perks designed for a maintenance-free, come-as-you-go lifestyle. From stellar amenities and a robust calendar of activities to exquisite dining options and a variety of services, senior living is all about finding a place to call home where you can live your best life.
Inquire if it’s a Life Plan Community
One of the most important things to find out about potential places to retire is whether it’s a Life Plan Community. Formerly recognized as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), a Life Plan Community (LPC) offers residents the benefit of an independent living apartment within a vital and socially active community along with the promise of care if and when those services are needed.
The tremendous benefit of an LPC is that it unites living and planning, allowing you to live your life to the fullest. LeadingAge led the recent initiative to change the name from CCRCs to LPCs, and as a well-known nationwide organization of nonprofit and government aging services providers, they recommend asking the following questions to find the Life Plan Community that’s right for you:
- Are you for-profit or not-for-profit, and what’s the financial strength of the retirement community?
- What’s included in the monthly fee?
- How do you help me to maintain my freedom and independence?
- What kind of emergency response systems do you have?
- How do you measure your residents’ satisfaction? Can I see your last two surveys?
- How may residents offer input and feedback?
- What is the difference between independent and assisted living, and when would I have to move to assisted living?
- Can you remain in independent living when your needs change, and how is aging in place supported?
- What are the five most popular programs in your community, and who decides what programs and events are scheduled?
- Can I review your residency agreement?
Take the Time to Research
Selecting the right senior living community requires some research. You want to know that the utmost in quality care will be consistently provided by a compassionate team of medical experts and caregivers. To learn more about a community, start online and read through their website to see what kind of lifestyle and care are offered. Another avenue to learn more about a community is to read their online reviews via Yelp, Google, social media, etc. — some of the best insight is provided by those who have gone before you on this path.
Tour the Community
After completing your online research and compiling a list of possible communities, schedule a tour for each one, and have a list of questions ready to discuss that will help facilitate the parameters of what you’re looking for. Per AARP, these are some key factors to consider: location, staff, housing, residents, meals, healthcare services, personal services, and social activities and recreation.
Why King-Bruwaert House is the Right Choice
At King-Bruwaert House, we want you to live the life you deserve. Our distinctive Life Plan Community has served aging adults since 1933 with an exceptional lifestyle focused on comfort, care, and contentment. Located in Burr Ridge, Illinois, our community on a beautiful 35-acre campus offers four levels of care — independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care. We celebrate a 90-year legacy of residents flourishing at King-Bruwaert House and invite you to discover the joy of gracious retirement living with us. Contact us to learn more!
