Choosing a senior living community for yourself or a loved one can seem like a rushed or stressful decision. That’s a common occurrence if you or your loved one waits for a crisis or health issue to force your search. Terri Geppner, Director of Community Relations at Aspired Living® of La Grange, says that the best way to start your search for a senior living community is before you need the services.
“By taking your time to research your options, look into the different communities in your desired area and educate yourself on the different levels of care, finding a senior living community can be rewarding and fun,” she says. “Planning ahead can give you the time you need to really research and weigh your options and make a decision based on you or your loved one’s preferences and needs. The last thing you want to do is make a rush decision that you may regret later.”
So, considering starting your search – or just gathering information for some future date? Either way, here are some of our top tips to help you begin your process.
Defining Senior Living
The phrase “senior living” can encompass a variety of options. A broad definition of this term is living options for those who are seniors – specifically, older adults who are at least 62 years old. Senior living can run the gamut from age-restricted communities to assisted living communities to skilled nursing facilities. The options are as varied and endless as the personalities and needs of the Baby Boomers who are looking for this type of care.
“Generally, ‘senior living’ refers to care and living options that provide a comprehensive combination of housing, dining, social opportunities, healthcare and around-the-clock security and staffing,” says Terri. “For many seniors, senior living can help provide them with independence and choice, while also receiving assistance with the basics like medication management, housekeeping, laundry and other personal care options.
The Different Types of Senior Living
Independent Living. This lifestyle is designed for active, healthy and independent adults who have little to no health issues and can do everything they want on their own. This type of lifestyle is very similar to living in an apartment community, but has the added bonus of services like housekeeping, dining and laundry. It’s a great option for seniors who still want to enjoy everything life has to offer and don’t want to deal with the hassle of homeownership.
Assisted Living. This lifestyle is perfect for seniors who are still moderately independent but require a little extra assistance to live safely or comfortably. These types of communities provide personalized care for residents that can flex according to their individual needs. The ultimate goal is to help the seniors live as independently as possible with minimal assistance.
Memory Support. This type of care is for individuals with cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These specialized communities are designed for the specific needs of those with these forms of disease, and provide around-the-clock care from professionally trained staff.
How to Begin Your Search for Senior Living
If you’re beginning the senior living search for yourself or a loved one, it can seem overwhelming at the start. Take heart – just like every journey, the senior living search starts with the first step. Here are some of our tips for helping you streamline this process and find the right option for you.
Determine your care needs. Are you or your loved one completely independent, or do you require a little extra assistance to live safely? Are you in good health? What issues do you have or do you expect to have down the road? By determining your current and potentially future needs, you can narrow down your options to find a community that will suit you now and in the future.
Research and visit. The best way to determine if a senior living community is right for you is to set up a personal tour. First, do your due diligence and find options in your area that meet your needs and personal preferences. Then, schedule tours so you can meet staff members, leadership and see what life is like in the community. Pay close attention during your tour and evaluate the community's features, dining program, health care options, amenities and services and finance options. These factors will give you a clearer picture of the overall community, which will allow you to pick the right place for you.
Ask lots of questions. The best way to get to know a community? Ask all about it. Here are some good questions to have on your list as you tour different facilities:
● How are family members kept up-to-date on a loved one’s condition and care?
● How are caregiving teams made up at the community?
● What sort of training or certification does your staff have?
● Who is the main contact for loved ones? Does it change?
● What is the staff turnover situation like?
● What happens if there’s a medical emergency?
● How are residents assessed? What happens if care levels need to be changed? How often do residents receive hands-on care?
● What are the rules for visitors? Are family members allowed to come and join in activities, meals and events?
● What menu options are available in the dining room?
● What sort of services are included in the monthly residential charge, and what would be an additional cost?
● What is the security situation like at your community?
● What medical services are available on site? What medical services are available nearby?
“Choosing a senior living community is a big decision, and at Aspired Living® of La Grange, it is our honor to serve you and your loved ones,” says Terri. “Our goal is to provide our residents and their families with the highest possible care and peace of mind. We encourage all our families and residents to ask questions, have as many tours as they like and drop by whenever they feel like it – there’s no need to schedule a visit. We want our community to be your home, and you’ll feel that homelike feel whenever you walk through our doors.”
For more information about our innovative new senior living community, please contact us at 708-365-8593.
Live Well. Age Well. Be Well at Aspired Living® of La Grange.
Opening Early 2020
When you step through the doors of our Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Support community, you’ll notice something different. Something exciting. Something exceptional! At Aspired Living® of La Grange, we believe that moving to senior living is something that should be supported and celebrated.
Wellness is at the heart of everything we do at Aspired Living of La Grange. From VIVA!SM, award-winning programming that inspires each resident every day to live engaged, connected and fulfilled to VIVA! Plus, which brings coordinated healthcare right to our residents' apartments, we do all we can to ensure that our residents Live Well. Age Well. Be Well!
Every day is a new opportunity to grow, laugh, share, learn and thrive. Gather with friends for delicious, nutritious meals in our all-day dining room, or enjoy a lively happy hour in our wine bar. Relax with a massage or spa treatment in our spa and salon. Stay fit and healthy with our fitness center, or spend the day painting in our art studio. It’s all up to you!
Offering delicious dining options, award-winning VIVA!SM programming by Pathway to Living®, programming designed to inspire the whole person and so much more, Aspired Living of La Grange provides seniors with the best of both worlds – the exceptional care they require, and the inspiring lifestyle they deserve
To learn more about our community or to reserve your apartment contact us.