How to Determine and Prioritize Your Needs and Wants in Assisted Living
Assisted living is a tool that many aging adults can use to grow and thrive after retirement. If you are considering moving into assisted living, you might be wondering how you can make the most of it.
Follow these tips to make sure your needs and wants are taken care of before, during, and after your move!
Evaluate Your Current Living Situation
It’s important to reflect and recognize what works best for you when it comes to your living situation. What works well for you now? What didn’t work in the past?
When you tour any assisted living community, you should compare their amenities and services to your current living situation. Do they have the food options you have at home? Do they offer more access to socialization and fitness than you have now?
Once you determine the positives of your current living arrangements, you can decide which assisted living facility best matches them.
Look Over the Amenities Before Moving
Each assisted living community has unique benefits, so make sure you look over each community’s amenities.
Amenities can include things like fitness centers, for example. Recreation can help you stay in great physical and emotional shape — which ultimately improves your quality of life. Other amenities may include things like theaters or music rooms for entertainment or mental engagement.
So as you tour each community, ask your tour guide about the amenities that they offer. You might learn new information that isn’t available on their website!
Consider Your Medical Needs
Assisted living is designed to make life easier for seniors who have various health problems. That’s why you should make sure your community has the appropriate medical and rehabilitation services to keep you comfortable and safe.
Most assisted living communities have medical staff available at all times. However, there are some other considerations when it comes to your physical health. For example, if you struggle with joint pain, you should look for a community with swimming pools. Aquatic exercise is one of the best ways to combat joint pain because it takes the pressure off of your entire body.
When in Doubt, Ask!
If you don’t see something you need or want when touring or researching an assisted living facility, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for it! The staff members in assisted living communities are there to help you and can help you figure out ways to make your assisted living space comfortable and enjoyable.
Get the Help You Need In Assisted Living
You should never feel guilty for having specific wants and needs. You are human, and assisted living is there to make your life easier.
Follow these tips to make sure your needs and wants are the top priority of your assisted living community!