Whether you’re a senior or the adult child of a senior, deciding to make the move to a senior living community can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. This is an exciting opportunity for you to explore your options and take a journey into a wonderful new chapter of your story.
We spoke with Wesley Glen resident Peggy Keener and her daughter, Stacie Smith, about their experiences, how to explore your options and ultimately find a community that you’ll love.
So, how do you know when it might be time to make the move to a senior living community? It depends on the person. Some seniors make the move following injuries or the onset of serious illness, but if you make the move before you have to, you have the grace to make your decision without the pressure of an unforeseen emergency.
Selecting a senior living community is just like picking any other home, and the best place to start is by making a list of the qualities and features that are important to you. Do you value amenities, clubs or activities? How about transportation or access to local businesses? Your priorities are relevant to your search and should be a consideration.
It is also crucial to consider what your needs are, and what they could be down the road. Some seniors may need more significant care day-to-day than others, and Peggy and Stacie recommend thinking about future levels of care, as your needs may change with time. Peggy, her husband and adult daughter all reside at Wesley Glen together because it not only met all of their current needs, but will continue to do so as their needs evolve.
“We didn’t want to have to move again,” said Peggy. “They can take care of us on assisted living, on memory care. We have very good therapy as well. We just wanted a lifetime of care.”
Once you’ve done your research and selected a few communities that meet your criteria, the next step is to take a tour. This allows you to explore communities in-person and see as many places as possible before making your decision. You can also take a list of questions you may have. If you’re the adult child of a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may be the one making decisions about your parent’s living arrangements.
Stacie recommends keeping parents involved by bringing them along on tours and prioritizing what they would want throughout the process.
“Think about what might be important to your mom or dad,” Stacie said.
Moving to a senior living community is a big step, but it will also take away some of the burden of caring for your home, while still allowing you to have the freedom and independence you enjoy in your current home. There are many opportunities to make new friends and stay involved in senior living communities, too.
Peggy leads bridge games, daily exercises and stays active with friends and various clubs at Wesley Glen. While she knows many seniors may feel apprehension about such a big change, there is, she says, no reason to fear.
“What most people don’t realize is that it’s impossible to be lonely here,” said Peggy.