How Do I Choose the Best Retirement Community for My Aging Parents?

In 2020, nearly 17% of the American population was 65 years old or over, and this figure is expected to reach 22% by 2050.

With that thought in mind, it’s likely that you’ll need to consider senior care for one or both of your parents. But, not all facilities offer the same level of care for aging adults. And, making a poor choice could leave your loved one in a situation that feels unsupportive or even unsafe!

Read on to learn about choosing the best retirement community for your family’s individual needs. Then, you can feel confident in your decision, no matter where turns out to be the best fit.

Recreation and Lifestyle

When selecting a retirement facility for your aging parents, it’s essential to consider their social and lifestyle needs. Are they still active? If so, they won’t want to sit around in a boring room day in and day out.

Choose a senior care facility that offers a variety of daily and weekly activities that suit their interests and activity level. This could include active pursuits like sports or dancing, social opportunities like game and movie nights, and time spent in the great outdoors.

Some facilities also hold therapeutic workshops and classes like art therapy, religious services, and other activities focused on mindfulness, like yoga and meditation. If your parent is deeply religious or prefers to participate in spiritual practices, you’ll want to give them the opportunity to maintain their personal beliefs later in life.

You should also look for a senior care center that offers as much or little independence as each resident prefers. This could include apartment-style living with private kitchens, residences that include parking for seniors who still drive, and other perks like daily or weekly housekeeping service.

If your parents are similarly aged, there’s a chance that they will want to spend retirement together. And, if they have a beloved fur baby, they won’t want to move without bringing it along. Keep these concerns in mind to avoid accidentally breaking your family apart!

If your parents are entirely homebound, they might also need transportation assistance. This could include trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, help with shopping, and other excursions. Regular trips off-campus, for example, to eat in restaurants or visit outside friends, are good for seniors’ mental health.

Budget and Location

When it comes to finding adequate care for aging adults, budget is sadly one of the top factors to keep in mind.

Believe it or not, assisted living currently costs an average of over $4,000 per month. And, if your parent requires major medical assistance or round-the-clock care, you can expect that number to go up.

Even if your family has plenty of insurance, it can be hard to manage these costs in addition to your regular monthly expenses. Medicaid might help with some bills but not others, and there’s no guarantee that these benefits will be enough to cover the facility that you prefer.

Remember that the cost of senior care isn’t fixed. Memory care, skilled nursing, and other specialized assistance might cost several thousand dollars per month in addition to basic rent. And, facilities that offer luxury care may also charge a premium for their higher-end services.

You should also consider the up-front costs associated with moving a parent into assisted living. You’ll likely pay one-time application and enrollment fees, and moving can be surprisingly expensive.

Take a look at your family’s long-term financial plans before making a firm decision. You’ll also need to factor in the possibility of rising medical costs or changes in monthly rates.

Where your chosen senior care center is located will determine how often you can conveniently visit your parent, and how much it costs to do so. Driving multiple hours or filling your gas tank for each trip isn’t realistic and will eventually feel like a burden.

If you’re hoping to keep mom and dad close to home, check out the fantastic amenities offered at retreatseniorliving.com. Their inclusive community feels more like a family home than a facility, and you won’t wind up driving cross-country to spend time with your family.

Medical Care

Even if your parent is relatively healthy now, they might not be in a few years. Select a senior living community that can support their changing needs, no matter what direction their health goes in.

You may also find it more difficult to locate a facility willing to take seniors with major medical concerns, so getting your parent enrolled early could turn out to be important later on. That way, should their condition take a turn for the worse, you won’t be left searching for somewhere that will take them.

Well-established senior communities can support residents and their families all the way from retirement through end-of-life care, including hospice. This could mean just one more move for your mom or dad, letting them stay somewhere that they’re already comfortable and well cared for.

While it might feel like you don’t have that much time left with your parent, it’s essential to consider that nobody can predict the future. This phase of life could last for years or decades – and it’s vital to keep your parent comfortable, no matter what happens to them, health-wise.

Find the Best Retirement Community for Your Family

Now that you know a bit more about the essential considerations to keep in mind, you’re ready to choose the best retirement community for your family’s needs.

Be sure to tour plenty of facilities before making your final choice. And, weigh all the options with factors like price, distance, and medical care, in mind.

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