Great Expectations: What To Look For In A Senior Living Community

June 3, 2019
| 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.

There’s a saying that life is not about the destination, it’s the journey. In senior living, it’s about both. To end up in the best destination — a community that fits your wants and needs, you need careful planning along the journey. In making the decision that it’s time for senior living, you’ve taken an important first step. Next stop, setting your expectations as you begin your search. Here’s what to look for in a senior living community.

Types of Senior Living

Before we talk expectations, it’s important to identify the type of senior living community that would work best. Luckily there are plenty of options from which to choose depending on your specific needs.

Independent Living is ideal for active seniors who require little daily assistance as onsite medical care is not typically available. You will find a range of accommodations, housekeeping, laundry and transportation services along with amenities such as concierge services, a pool, fitness center and library.

Assisted Living provides housing; onsite care and support with daily activities such as bathing and dressing while helping residents maintain their independence. You can typically expect a comfortable, homelike setting without the worry of home upkeep, cooking and cleaning along with 24-hour supervision and daily social opportunities plus amenities.

Memory Care is designed to nurture and support those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with specifically trained staff and 24-hour supervision along with therapy, structured activities and programs with social opportunities. Amenities include easy to navigate layouts, housekeeping and laundry as well as emergency call systems.

Skilled Nursing offers 24-hour supervised care and assistance with daily activities, a licensed physician or nurse on site, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapists in a comfortable environment with exercise programs, social opportunities and activities. It’s ideal for those with chronic health conditions or incontinence, who require intravenous medications and/or who are recovering after a surgery or hospitalization.

While communities that stand alone as independent living, assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing are available, keep in mind that some communities offer a full continuum of care all on one campus.

Your Must Haves

Not only do you have options in terms of types of communities. There are also a range of services, features and amenities from which to choose. Making a list of what’s important to before you begin your search can help keep you from being overwhelmed.

This want list should include:

Non- negotiables for the family and your loved one
Location preferences
Lifestyle preferences
Wish list of nice-to-have features, amenities and/or services
Budget

5 Things To Look For In A Senior Living Community

Ready with your understanding of what you need and want, it’s time to tour. Be sure to keep these things in mind and compare them to your lists during your visit.Accommodations and Property

Are the living spaces private or semi-private, and what are the differences in cost for each?
Can you tour the different types of spaces available?
Can residents personalize their space?
How well-maintained is the property?
How do you feel about the appearance and comfort of the dining, common and outdoor areas?

Lifestyle/Wellness

Is there a dedicated chef and wait staff? What are the dining hours?
How appealing is the menu? Can you sample the food?
Do they accommodate special dietary restrictions or requests?
What programs (exercise, wellness, enrichment, social and other activities) are offered?
How often do residents leave the community for outside activities?
How often are housekeeping and laundry service provided?
Are there enough amenities available?
How often can friends and family visit? Are there common and private spaces to gather with them?
Is the community pet friendly?

Staff and Care

What level of daily assistance can residents expect?
What are the qualification requirements for the staff?
Are staff members offered additional and/or continuous training opportunities?
What is the staff-to-resident ratio both day and night?
How does the staff interact with residents?
What’s the best way for friends and family to receive updates on our loved one’s well-being? How quickly can we expect a response to questions?
Do they accommodate special needs, such as diabetic care and/or mobility issues?

Safety/Security

How do they handle medical emergencies?
How is the community secured?

Cost

What are the monthly costs for housing and care, and what services are included in those costs?

Don’t forget, those who’ve had firsthand experience with these communities know them best. Try to talk with residents themselves while on tour. In addition, seek feedback from trusted advisors, friends and check review websites as well. It’s an often overlooked step that can give you deep insights.

For more information on choosing a senior living community, check out our Complete Guide to Senior Living Options!

Making A Decision

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