Independent senior living is something that many people are doing throughout the United States. With their medical needs being paid for by medical insurance and Medicaid, these people just want to have some peace of mind about where they live.
Many communities cater to this desire for having a community that focuses mainly on seniors and retirees. Moving into such a community can be a little daunting for those used to living with loved ones. Today we’ll focus on tips for how to prepare for senior living.
1. Check the layout or floor plan of senior housing.
Whether you’re moving to a senior community in Woodstown, New Jersey, or an independent living residence for seniors in Wilmington, Delaware, you want peace of mind that the home you’re moving into is the right one. One of the ways to confirm this is by checking the layout or floor plan of the independent living residence. The home designs or house plans should be set up in a way that takes into consideration the age and physical state of the people that will be living there. For instance, many seniors throughout the United States often have difficulty moving around, having decreased mobility in some cases. It wouldn’t help to design a new home in a retirement community that is two or three stories tall. Designing a ranch-style house, which is not as spacious takes into consideration the needs of an elderly homeowner.
You can also apply this line of thinking to design other features of the house. Make sure that kitchen cabinets aren’t too high for elderly residents. Request that rug floors be added to parts of the house to prevent slips and falls. In addition to these home design changes, help your elderly family member or friend make their living space feel familiar with smaller touches. Arrange furniture and decorations as they have had at a previous residence. Make these items easy to reach, and find so that the new homeowner won’t have to spend a lot of time searching for things. Checking the layout or floor plan of senior housing is a great way to help prepare them for senior living.
2. Choose the right community.
When searching for a new home as a senior citizen, you want to make sure the community meets the criteria you’re looking for. After checking the average cost for a senior housing neighborhood, check to see what else the area might have to offer. Does the retirement community in Woodstown, NJ offers an inviting social environment in which to meet new neighbors and make new friends? Does the location provide access or transportation to health care services that you might need?
Does the retirement community offer amenities like linen services, trash pick-up, medication management, massage therapists, beauty salons, swimming pools, fitness centers, or private dining rooms? Make sure that your community is safe, clean, and that the staff is friendly. Confirming that your community meets these criteria can help you with choosing the right senior housing community.
3. Research the senior living costs.
As mentioned, you’ll want to check the average cost of living in a senior housing neighborhood or facility. Start by researching the costs of assisted living in a facility, or how much it would cost to move into a home in a neighborhood. For instance, let’s say you want to keep your homeowner status, but want to move into a retirement community for seniors.
You want to still have space to call your own, and also have more space outside for things like new outdoor equipment. Check the costs for various floor plans for homes in the area, including independent living cottages. Having this insight will help you know how much money you can save or have to spend on a new home.
4. Find a place close to family.
Though you are living an independent lifestyle in your senior years, it helps to find a new home that is near your family. You want to have some peace of mind that if you need your family, they aren’t too far away. This will also help your family to know that you are nearby, so they can also help out if you need them. Having a place to be able to enjoy their company is great, while also allowing you to play host for any holidays or family events.
5. Prepare to relax.
When you’ve reached the point where retirement is in the cards, you can chill. You’ve lived a long life of just working, and working, and more work. Turn that new independent living cottage into a place that you can call your own. Head to the fitness center in your senior community and continue to exercise. Enjoy your time spent at this new community for seniors and relax. You deserve it.
