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How to Choose a Senior Living Community

When you select a senior living residence for yourself or a loved one, you aren’t just choosing a place to live; you’re choosing a home and a community. Your selection will have a major impact on your happiness in your sunset years. So in addition to very practical matters like location, room size, security, and dining services, remember to consider the environment as a whole. Think about the social life of the residents, the culture, and the staff. If you’re wondering how to choose a senior living community, scroll down for more helpful tips.

How to Choose a Senior Living Community

Tour the community. You can do as much research as you want online, but you won’t truly understand a senior living community until you visit it. Schedule a tour so that you can explore the community, check out the rooms, ask questions of the Community Director, and meet some of the residents. This is the best way to make a confident and informed decision.

Meet with the staff. When calling, e-mailing, and finally meeting the staff of the senior living community in person, evaluate your experience. Do the staff members seem genuinely friendly and pleased to be meeting with you? Are they rude or rushed? How do they handle your questions and concerns? Most importantly: do they interact warmly and pleasantly with the current residents?

Assess the environment. As you tour the community, consider whether the rooms appear clean, fresh, and welcoming. Be sure to discuss safety and security, and ask how the staff handles emergency situations. To assess the food, ask to sample a meal, review the menu options, and talk to the other residents. Finally, walk through a sample of the sort of room you would be renting, to get a feel for its size and amenities. Does it feel like home?

Consider the social life. No man (or woman) is an island, they say, so be sure to appraise the community culture. Are group classes and activities offered? Are social events scheduled regularly and well attended? Are the residents friendly and welcoming, or do they keep to themselves? How are the public spaces used? Look for an active and engaging community of residents.

Review the services, amenities, and fine print. Don’t forget to consider very practical matters, like the admissions contract, residence rules, and costs. Finally, review all of the services offered, from sensible resources (like transportation, laundry, and assistance with daily tasks) to delightfully convenient services (like exercise classes, social outings, beauty salons, and on-site church services).

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Above all, remember to take your time as you learn how to choose a senior living community. This is a major decision that will influence your checkbook, your health, and (most importantly) your happiness. Consider your options carefully to be sure your selected community fits your needs, concerns, and goals.

If you’re interested in assisted living in Collierville, Tennessee, be sure to check out Hearthside Senior Living of Collierville. We have spacious apartments and convenient services and amenities, like exercise classes, a beautiful dining room, and group activities. If you’re interested in learning more about the community or scheduling a tour, please give us a call at 901-651-2503 or click here. We look forward to hearing from you!

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