A Guide to Choosing the Right Senior Living Community

August 26, 2025
| Vitality Living

When it comes to healthy aging, quite honestly, there’s a lot to do. You’re supposed to make sure to keep your body active and your brain engaged all while maintaining your social connections as well. Sure, the benefits to your overall well-being are worth the effort, but retirement is supposed to be a time with less responsibility on your plate, right? Well, it turns out that in senior living you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Here’s how programs like our Vivid Life make keeping active, engaged, and connected easy and fun!

Benefits of Healthy Aging

Good things happen when you focus on healthy aging. In addition to feeling better overall, which in and of itself is a win, other benefits of keeping active, engaged, and connected include:

Improved ability to do everyday things
Reduced impact of illness and chronic disease
Enhanced mobility, flexibility, and balance
Improved sleep
Increased energy level
Reduced feelings of depression and stress
Increased feelings of happiness and self-confidence
Reduced risk of cognitive decline
Increased mental adaptability and cognitive reserve
Improved memory recall and problem-solving skills
Improved concentration and attention to detail

How Senior Living Can Help

At home, particularly when living alone, it can be hard to stay as active, engaged, and connected as you’d like. From lack of opportunity to lack of motivation to lack of transportation to mobility challenges, and more, it’s tough, we get it! That’s why we created the Vivid Life program in our senior living communities. It’s composed of three parts: Vibrant Body, Vibrant Brain, and Vibrant Connections. Here’s what each entails:

Vibrant Body – We offer amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, a pool, walking trails, gardening opportunities, and even a dog park to help you stay active. A sample of activities includes:

Walking club – Daily walks at different outdoor locations using pedometers to measure steps.
Yoga – At least once per week for gentle yoga, and once per week for mindful breathing.
Fitness classes – At least two times per week using a variety of hand weights, resistance bands, and circuit-type exercises.
Tai Chi – At least once per week with a live instructor.
Non-traditional exercise – Dancing, gardening, etc. at least two times per week.
Physical games and sports – Golf, putting, bowling, croquet, bocce, and ping pong available daily with organized events one to two times per week.

Vibrant Brain – We offer monthly calendars filled with classes, events, creative arts, and enrichment opportunities to help keep you engaged. A sample of activities includes:

Visiting lecture series – Twice per month with topics such as cultural, historical, local interest, career-oriented, etc.
Creative art series – At least one per week with a theme that runs 3-6 weeks, such as poetry writing, storytelling, painting, digital photography, etc.
Learning series – At least three times per month with an emphasis on learning something new such as foreign language, sign language, technology, hobbies, etc.
Games – At least one time per week and may include poker, bridge, Scrabble, etc.
Mindfulness – A meditation class once per week and gratitude discussion group twice monthly.
Church service – At least once a week through visits by local churches.
Stress reduction – At least once per month class that offers deep breathing exercises, nature walks, music appreciation, spa-type treatments, etc.

Vibrant Connections – We offer resident-led clubs, social events, outings and volunteer opportunities for any interest to help you stay connected. A sample of activities includes:

Outings – At least twice per month and may include going to concerts, art shows, museum visits, theatre productions, etc.
Intergenerational programming – At least once per month and focuses on building relationships between young adults/children and residents.
New resident welcome party – At least once per month to formally introduce all new residents, and includes ice breakers, social games, etc. to encourage connection.
Philanthropic program – At least once per month provide residents the opportunity to give back to the community, such as volunteering for a local food bank or pet shelter.
Resident-led clubs – May include game clubs, professional clubs, common interests, etc. that meet at least monthly.

What’s more, it’s all right outside your door (or transportation is provided offsite) and all in a supportive environment with home maintenance, housekeeping, and restaurant-style dining freeing your time to make it even easier to stay active, engaged, and connected.

Learn more about Vitality Living’s Vivid Life programs. Or find a Vitality Living community near you today to schedule a tour.

When comparing different types of senior living communities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. That’s why we’ve designed this guide to simplify the process by outlining what to look for, key questions to ask, and how to move forward with confidence when finding the best option for you or your loved one.

Understand the Types of Senior Living Communities

Not all senior living communities are the same. Before you begin your search, it helps to understand the variety of senior care options available and identify which option best fits you or your loved one’s needs.

Independent Living: Perfect for seniors who remain independent but want freedom from the responsibilities of home maintenance. It also provides opportunities to enjoy a more social lifestyle, along with access to cultural and wellness programs.

Assisted Living: Ideal for those who want to maintain their independence while receiving support and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, or medication management.

Memory Care: A specialized service, offered either as a dedicated community or as a distinct neighborhood within a larger senior living community. These programs provide personalized support, safety, and structure for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Respite Care: Short-term stays that give caregivers a chance to rest while ensuring their loved one receives professional support. It’s also a great way to experience a senior living community firsthand and see if it feels like the right fit.

By identifying which type of senior care options best fit your needs, you can begin exploring the types of senior living communities that may be the best match and feel more prepared to narrow down your options. This is also the perfect time to clarify your wants versus your needs. What are your non-negotiables? Location, price, amenities? Creating a clear list and discussing it with your loved one is an important step in the process.

Consider Senior Living Expenses and Cost of Care

Finances are an important part of the decision-making process in how to choose a senior living community. Understanding the cost of senior living upfront can help you avoid surprises later. Some good questions to ask when comparing senior living communities are:

What does the monthly fee cover? (Meals, housekeeping, transportation, utilities, etc.)
Are there additional costs for higher levels of care?
What payment options are available?

Clarity on the cost of senior living ensures you choose a community that’s both comfortable and financially sustainable for you.

Schedule a visit

Before scheduling a visit, take time to do some initial research online or gather word-of-mouth recommendations. A community’s website is a great place to start, helping you see if they offer the services and amenities you or your loved one are looking for. Even a quick phone call can provide valuable insight and give you a sense of the community’s warmth and connection.

Visiting in person is one of the most important steps in the decision-making process. During a senior living tour, pay attention to the community’s atmosphere, cleanliness, and whether residents appear engaged and happy. It’s also the perfect opportunity to ask questions directly and get a true feel for daily life there. Bring along a list of questions to ask when touring senior living communities, such as:

What activities and programs are available?
How is care personalized for each resident?
What safety measures and emergency systems are in place?
How are meals prepared, and are dietary needs accommodated?

Asking the right questions during your tour can help you uncover what daily life in the community truly feels like.

Trust Your Instincts

Beyond amenities and levels of care, choosing the right senior living community often comes down to how it makes you feel. Do you feel welcome? Does the community foster connection and joy? A positive first impression can be just as meaningful as the practical details. Trust your instincts. While any space can become a home, it’s important to ask yourself if the atmosphere truly feels like one where you could thrive.

If you’re still unsure, consider visiting again at a different time of day to get a fuller sense of the community. Don’t hesitate to call with additional questions; team members are there to guide you through with any concerns you may have.

Explore Senior Living with Vitality

At Vitality Living, we’re here to help you make the right decision with confidence. From independent living to memory care, our communities across the southeastern United States are designed to support older adults at every stage.

For a more detailed checklist and additional helpful insights on how to choose a senior living community, download our full resource here: Guide to Choosing the Right Senior Living Community.

Ready to find the right fit? Contact us today to schedule your senior living tour and see firsthand what a vibrant life at Vitality Living can look like.

Senior Living

Vitality Living

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