What to Consider Before Moving to a Senior Living Community
When seniors reach a certain stage of life, many consider moving to a senior living community instead of remaining in their own homes. They often state not wanting to be a burden to their families or no longer wanting to manage a household as reasons why they want to move. While there is a certain appeal to a senior living community, especially one that is brand new and can meet the majority of your requests, there are other factors that some seniors overlook. Sometimes, the senior has already made the move before they truly realize the implications of their move.
Whether you’re in the market for a move to a senior living community, or just beginning to think about the future, it’s important for you to do your research. Making a big move can be costly, so it’s one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you are a senior considering downsizing your home and moving to a senior living community, here are three factors you should consider before you make that move.
Your Care Needs
The first thing you should consider is your care needs. It’s important to consider not just your current care needs, but you should also factor in potential future care needs. Some senior living communities cater strictly to independent seniors, while others are all-inclusive, meaning they can accommodate independent through skilled nursing care. It would be devastating to move to an independent living senior community only to realize that they cannot provide care for memory loss that’s in your family history. It would also be devastating to make the move when you’re aging well and just need a little assistance that could be provided in the comfort of your own home.
Cost
Moving to a senior living community is costly. There’s the financial cost of having to sell your home, buy-in to the community, and pay monthly fees. Communities can also raise fees to cover operating costs, and there’s little you can do about it after you’ve signed the contract. There’s also an emotional cost. You may thrive in the independent living community, but as your care needs increase, you may be required to move to assisted living, memory care, or even skilled nursing. Such a move can be emotionally dilapidating, especially if the facility cannot accommodate space for your spouse. You’ll also have to further your downsizing, as rooms typically get smaller as your care needs increase.
Lifestyle
Another factor to consider is your lifestyle. Your family may encourage such a move with the best of intentions. They’ll point out all the benefits to a senior living community, such as the fitness center, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, and activities. While these are wonderful amenities, if they don’t match your lifestyle, then you’re not likely to take advantage of them. If you’ve never been much of a joiner or the community doesn’t offer activities that match your interests, you’re not going to change interests overnight. You might even find that you spend most of your time in your apartment, daydreaming of the home that you recently sold.
Fortunately, moving to a senior living community isn’t the only option seniors have when they need help with their non-medical care needs. There’s another great option that doesn’t require downsizing or a move. That option is inviting Visiting Angels of Cape Coral North Fort Myers into your home to support your senior care needs. Our compassionate caregivers provide companionship for lonely seniors and together, you can spend time engaging in activities that you enjoy. We assist with basic housekeeping, laundry, and other care tasks so that you can thrive where you prefer to age, in the comfort of your own home. We give families peace of mind knowing someone is there to help mom or dad when they cannot be present. We offer dementia care services, so your aging loved one can stay in their own familiar home and maintain a familiar routine. If you are considering a move to a senior living community, please consider partnering with us before you sign a contract. Contact us today by calling 239-226-1620.
Visiting Angels of Cape Coral North Fort Myers, FL
239-226-1620
https://www.visitingangels.com/northfortmyers/home