How do people shop for senior living, and when should I start shopping?
The search for a senior living community is different from most of your other buying journeys. You’ll need to go slowly, collect loads of facts, and allow yourself time to process feelings. To make the process more enjoyable and effective, you should:
- Decide what you want before you start
- Search seriously and with a sense of adventure
- Include a friend or family member to share the journey
As for when you should start — well, if you haven’t already begun, now’s a great time.
What do you want?
Begin with thinking through what’s important to you. Knowing yourself and what you want helps focus your search on what you need in a senior living community. Do your tastes run to leisure or to active living? Do you want an intellectually stimulating culture, laughter and entertainment, or a fitness focus — a pool, gym or fitness classes? Do you need space for hobbies, such as gardening, painting, music or woodworking? And what will help you sustain your social life — scheduled events like happy hours or spontaneous gatherings like evening firepits with friends?
You’ll also want to consider how the community can help you stay healthy now and in the coming years. What would you hope to find in a wellness program? Do you need transportation to routine medical appointments? Would you prefer living in a community with a continuum of care levels — assisted living or residential living, memory support, long-term care — or would you rather move again later if you need such care?
The adventure begins.
Brace yourself. You may soon discover how much you don’t know about the senior living community lifestyle.
Contracts
Different communities offer different kinds of residential contracts. When you look at a community, see if there’s a contract option that suits your needs. You may find the community offers rental contracts or a fee-for-service plan. Or the community may require an entrance fee. In that case, ask what portion is refundable. Is this a Life Plan or CCRC (continuing care retirement community)? Is there a Life Care contract?
Costs of living
What is and isn’t included in the community’s monthly fees? You’ll need a clear picture of your monthly costs — and what it will take to maintain your lifestyle if what you require isn’t already included. In some ways, you’ll pay less than a homeowner because utilities, taxes and insurance are included. But you’ll still want to keep up your habits of dining out and attending arts, entertainment and sporting events. Plus, community meal plans rarely include three meals daily. So, for research purposes, consider that the monthly service fee covers about 60-70% of your monthly expenses. Can you handle all those costs?
Ratings and word of mouth
Check out online reviews. Medicare maintains ratings for skilled nursing centers, including those housed within a CCRC or Life Plan community. Friends and family may have experiences to share: Ask what they know about the communities you’re researching. And when you visit the community, ask residents for their thoughts: Is it a friendly place? What do they like and dislike? What are the best-attended activities? Are team members courteous and attentive?
Bring a friend and double the observations.
Gathering facts is one thing. Noticing feelings and impressions is another. For that, it’s often helpful to include another set of eyes and ears. Bring along a friend or family member as you tour and explore. They’re likely to catch what you didn’t — and confirm what you feel, too.
Make notes.
Pay attention to every touchpoint. How does the community respond to your phone call? What strikes you on your arrival at the community? How are you greeted? Where are the residents during your visit, and are the staff members interacting with them? Does it feel friendly? Casual? Subdued? Energized? Genuine?
Were you invited to an event? Was the invitation clear? Was the event well organized? Notice anything amiss?
What impression of the community’s culture formed during your visit or at the event?
Daydream
Picture yourself in the community. Do you feel like you fit? Can you see yourself indulging in various amenities, settling contentedly into a residence, and moving about the campus to join activities and greet friends daily? If not, what’s missing?
Take your time.
Choosing a senior living community is no snap decision. But when you know what you want out of life, and after you carefully, thoroughly review the options, contracts, costs, services and amenities, and culture … you’ll be a savvy shopper en route to a successful decision and a satisfying lifestyle.