Time to Move into a Senior Community?

Question: I have been considering moving out of my home and into a senior community. How will I know when it is time?

The best time to move into senior living is typically between the ages of 75 and 85, or when daily maintenance, social isolation or safety concerns outweigh the desire to stay in your current home.

If you move in while you are still active, it will allow you to enjoy community amenities that will take away a lot of burden. Amenities such as weekly housekeeping services, free maintenance, transportation and activities with groups of people with common interests are benefits that you will have whether you are independent or need assisted living.

Just knowing that care staff is available to help you, if needed, is also a huge benefit and it costs less than if you were to have caregivers in your home.

If you move in during your late 60s or early 70s, it allows you to be unburdened by the constant care of a home and allows for an ideal lifestyle of activities, dining and socialization. Many seniors claim that it made them feel more included and socially content.

There are several key indicators that trigger when the time is to move into a senior community. If you notice that you are having frequent falls, missing your scheduled medication times or if stairs are becoming difficult for you to navigate, it might be time to consider senior living.

If you notice that all your old friends and neighbors have moved away and you are feeling lonely and isolated, this might be the time to consider moving to a community setting where you can find past acquaintances and make new friends.

Perhaps your home is starting to demand more repairs, upkeep, yardwork and heavy-duty cleaning and you need to hire a team to do the chores that you can no longer do on your own, that is a good indicator.

Another indicator might be that you have had a change in your health condition. Are you struggling with shopping, bathing, dressing and cooking or are you getting more forgetful?

The most important thing to remember is not to wait for a crisis to occur in your home before you move to a senior community. You want to choose the senior community on your own terms and not feel like your health is forcing you into a speedy decision. Being proactive and checking out all the senior communities ahead of time will make you feel more relaxed when it is time to make that change in your life.

Many seniors prefer to move during spring since it is often considered the best weather to move. Holidays are over and the demands for your time are fewer.

If you decide to move into a senior living community, be comforted knowing that they offer a maintenance-free, social and secure lifestyle that enhances independence and will improve your quality of life. The benefits include access to amenities like dining and fitness centers, on-site social activities to combat loneliness, and, in many cases, a continuum of care as needs change.

Senior communities offer increased safety and security features like 24/7 staffing and emergency call systems. Their buildings, bathrooms and apartments are handicap accessible, senior-friendly, non-slip and have secure layouts that will provide you with peace of mind.

To keep your focus on health and wellness, many communities have access to on-site fitness centers, group exercise classes, nutritionists and health screenings that promote an active lifestyle.

For your convenience, many communities provide chef-prepared meals, transportation and light housekeeping, allowing more time for hobbies, activities and leisure.

Independent/Assisted living communities often provide a continuum of care that allows for a smooth transition if health needs increase. This is important, so you don’t have to move again.

Moving early allows you to fully enjoy the amenities, build friendships and remain active before a negative health situation makes the transition necessary.

Senior living communities generally report high satisfaction levels. Satisfaction is driven by increased safety, reliability in care, social interaction and improved quality of life, often surpassing satisfaction levels of living alone. The highest satisfaction scores include improved dining, staff quality and engaging activities.

If you move into a senior community and are not satisfied, you have the option to move into another community. Most senior communities are month-to- month rent. The only thing keeping you there is your happiness. I do suggest trying it out for three months before you decide to move into another senior community. It takes about three months to get acclimated to your apartment and your new routine.

There are many senior communities with very different amenities. It is important that you find the community that suits your needs and preferences most closely. The next chapter of your life is the most important one of all!

Kimberly Jensen has been working with Quail Park as a Senior Resource Advocate for over ten years and has helped hundreds of families find solutions to their senior problems. If you have a question, you can send it to her at KimberlyJ@QPCypress.com or call (559) 737-7443.