Where To Begin
Where to Begin When Considering a Senior Living Community
When contemplating a senior living community, thorough research is essential to make an informed decision. Different senior living options, such as independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, offer varying levels of assistance, meeting the needs of most older adults.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a place that aligns with your preferences, needs, values, and financial situation—and, of course, makes you feel at home. This page serves as a resource to help you get started on this journey.
Start Here
Click on any of these sections to learn more about beginning your search for the right senior living community.
Benefits of Community Living for Older Adults
Having a strong community can provide a sense of belonging and contribute to emotional well-being.
Finding the Right Community
Four main steps can help guide you in the process of finding the community that best suits you and your needs.
Cost of Senior Living
Costs can vary depending on location, type of community, level of care needed, amenities provided, and fee structures.
Understanding Living Options
This glossary of terms outlines the differences between the many senior living community living options.
Continuing Care Communities
Continuing care retirement communities offer multiple housing options and healthcare services.
When to Join a Waitlist
Waitlists can be a good option if your chosen community doesn't have current availability while allowing you to enjoy community life.
What to Expect When Moving
Participating in social activities and cultivating new friendships can help you adjust to your new community.
The Benefits of Community Living for Older Adults
More than one in three older adults report feeling a lack of companionship, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging. Community living for seniors provides a supportive and social environment for older individuals that helps prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Joining a strong community of others with similar interests and experiences can provide a sense of belonging and enhance your overall well-being. Residents often form close bonds, providing emotional support and companionship.
Other benefits of community living for seniors include safety and security, access to healthcare, reduced home maintenance, flexibility of care as needs change, and amenities that contribute to a more enjoyable and active lifestyle. Families of older adults often appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones are in a supportive and monitored environment. This can reduce caregiver stress and allow family members to focus on quality time together.
Finding the Right Community
Finding the right senior living community involves careful consideration and evaluation, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are four main steps to help guide you in the process:
- Consider your priorities, needs, and preferences, including location, social scene, healthcare requirements, and mobility needs.
- Research communities by using online resources and reviews, as well as recommendations from friends, family, physicians, customer satisfaction firms, and others.
- Take a look at the costs and other financial considerations, including the cost structure of each senior living community. This may involve monthly fees, additional charges, and potential future costs.
- Take in-person tours of the communities you’re most interested in. This is the best way to get a true sense of a community’s culture. Talk to current residents about what they like or do not like about the community, and spend time talking with team members to understand their approach to care.
It can also be helpful to attend community events or activities to gauge the social aspects and opportunities for engagement.
The Cost of Senior Living
The costs of senior living vary depending on location, type of community, level of care needed, and amenities provided. Additionally, some senior living communities may have entry fees or other one-time costs. A good starting point is to consider the current costs of living at home and then compare that to a senior living community.
While the upfront costs of senior living communities might seem high, they may offer cost savings in the long run. Shared services and amenities can be more cost-effective than maintaining a private residence independently. When evaluating senior living costs, you will want to consider the specific services covered in the monthly fee, potential additional fees for extra services, and any financial assistance or insurance coverage available.
Someren Glen offers a unique monthly rental plan with no upfront entrance fee, giving you the flexibility to enjoy senior living options without unnecessary financial burdens.
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Understanding Different Living Options
The term “senior living community” can encompass a wide range of living options to suit an equally wide range of needs and preferences. This brief glossary of terms outlines the key differences:
- Independent living provides older adults a fully independent lifestyle that offers maintenance-free, amenity-rich living, life enrichment programming, and opportunities to connect with peers.
- Assisted living provides a personalized level of care and support that is primarily focused on activities of daily living.
- Skilled nursing care provides long-term, around-the-clock nursing care from licensed practical and registered nurses for older adults recovering from an injury or needing treatment for ongoing health conditions.
- Memory support provides specialized support for older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. While commonly provided within an assisted living neighborhood at many communities, memory support is offered as part of skilled nursing care at Someren Glen.
- Short-term rehabilitation provides occupational, physical, and speech therapies for older adults who are recovering from an illness or injury following a hospital stay, with the goal of helping them return to home as quickly as possible.
- Home care provides support with daily living activities, transportation, meal preparation, etc. within an older adult’s home, including senior living communities.
What Is a Continuing Care Community?
A continuing care community offers a range of housing options and healthcare services to cater to the evolving needs of residents. These communities typically provide a continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, all within one campus. You can transition seamlessly between different levels of care as your health requirements change, offering access to appropriate support and services within the comfort and familiarity of your community.
Continuing care communities often focus on promoting an active and social lifestyle for older adults while offering the security of on-site medical care and assistance as needed, providing a comprehensive and adaptable solution for people as they get older.
When to Join a Waitlist
You may find that your chosen community has more people who are ready to move in than they have available homes—especially if you are in an area that has a high demand for senior living. In these cases, many will have waitlists you can join after filling out an application and placing a refundable deposit. Once you join the waitlist, the community will notify you when a space that meets your criteria is available.
Keep in mind that an essential part of planning and preparation with communities that have waitlists is factoring in the time between joining the waitlist and an apartment becoming available. If you are open to different floor plans and options, your time on a waitlist may be shorter.
If you do join a waitlist, take full advantage of it! Many communities, including Someren Glen, invite waitlist members to participate in community events, exclusive gatherings, and life enrichment programming. This will give you an opportunity to meet people and get a real feel for the community before moving in. It also means you have more time to prepare for the next phase of life with plenty of time to downsize your belongings, make financial arrangements, and other details.
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What to Expect When Moving to a Senior Living Community
Moving to a senior living community is a significant life transition, and you may experience a range of emotions and adjustments. Many older adults worry about a loss of independence by moving into a community, but communities such as Someren Glen are designed to meet the needs of even the most independent of seniors.
Of course, as with any move, residents will experience a period of adjustment, adapting to the new environment, routines, and social dynamics. Some may feel sad or anxious initially, but this generally subsides as residents settle in and become more familiar with their surroundings. These often dissipate as residents participate in social activities and events and start building new friendships.
Keep the lines of communication open with community team members and fellow residents, participate in activities, and give yourself time to acclimate. Moving into a senior living community can lead to a fulfilling and enriching chapter of life, offering new opportunities for social interaction and a supportive environment.
We Are Here to Help
When it’s time to consider a senior living community, be sure to self-educate on available options. You can do this through word of mouth, a web search, direct referrals from doctors or agencies—or simply by driving by a community. For more information on Someren Glen in Centennial, contact us today.