As we go through our lives, there are a number of momentous decisions that we will have to make. One of the most important decisions we’ll have to make, particularly as we get older, is the decision to move our loved ones to senior housing or senior living communities. This can be a difficult decision to make, as an estimated nine out of 10 Americans over age 65 want to stay at home for as long as possible. However, senior housing shouldn’t be confused with assisted living communities, independent living is still extremely possible. When the time comes to find senior housing for your loved one, here are are three things you should look for.
- Is it Close to Where You Live?: One thing to look for in senior housing for your loved ones is the new housing close to where you and your family live? Since this is presumably where your loved one will be living for the rest of their lives, it would be important to find a senior housing community that is relatively close to you; this will make it easier to visit your loved ones and keep in touch with them.
- Does it Have an Active Community?: Another thing to look for in senior housing for your loved ones is does it have an active community that your loved one can join? As mentioned before, senior housing shouldn’t be confused with an assisted living community. Just because your loved one is moving to senior housing doesn’t mean they have to give up being social or active. Many senior housing communities will have activities that residents can join on a daily basis to maintain a social lifestyle.
- Are There Opportunities to Volunteer?: And finally, a third thing to look for in senior housing for your loved ones is to see if there are opportunities to volunteer. An estimated 50% of adults aged 65 and over participate in volunteer work, and this can be one avenue that allows residents to maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle. If you know your loved one likes to volunteer and be active, try to help them find senior housing that provides this as an option.
In conclusion, there are several things that you should look for in senior housing for your loved one. These things include: is the housing close to where you live, does it have an active community, and are there opportunities to volunteer. These are just a few of the things you should look for in senior housing and independent housing for your loved one.
