How to Choose the Perfect Community
When considering a move to senior housing, there are two fundamental questions you need to answer:
1. Will senior housing improve my life, and do I want to invest in it?
2. If so, when do I want to move?
Once you’ve figured out that you want to move, the final question becomes which senior community is the right fit for you.
To answer these questions, it’s crucial to understand the benefits offered by senior living communities. By making informed decisions, you’ll be able to move forward with confidence and a positive mindset.
Tangible Benefits
Senior housing presents a challenge because some benefits are tangible and easy to comprehend, while others are intangible. Tangible benefits are things you can see, touch, and taste, like touring a home or sampling a meal. They are straightforward to understand and consider.
Intangible Benefits
On the other hand, intangible benefits can be more difficult to measure. They mostly relate to lifestyle advantages that come with living in a well-run senior housing community. They may include the excitement of waking up with something to look forward to; the joy of making new friends; or the sense of accomplishment from being physically fit due to regular exercise. For most people, in fact, at least 50% of the benefits of senior housing are intangible.
Try Before You Buy
The best way to truly understand these benefits is to experience senior housing firsthand, much like test driving a car. Senior housing companies understand the importance of this, which is why they provide opportunities for people to explore their communities without any obligation.
We recommend you keep “sampling” different communities until you feel confident about what life will be like if you decide to move. If your life will truly improve, then moving to senior housing is a wise choice. Encore genuinely wants you to feel good about your decision, as this will lead to a successful move and the chance to become an enthusiastic member of the community.
Here are some ideas for experiencing a senior housing community:
If food is important to you:
- Try a meal at the community and see how you like it.
- Examine the menu and decide if the options suit your preferences.
- Speak to the chef about the frequency of menu changes and ask about alternatives if you’re not fond of what’s available on a specific day.
- Chat with residents about their dining experiences.
If social events are important to you:
- Attend one or more events at the community.
- Choose events that align with your in \terests and hobbies.
- If you enjoy happy hours, make sure to attend them.
- If you like card games, inquire about joining a bridge group or a pinochle playing group.
If physical fitness is important to you:
- Join one of the community’s fitness classes.
- Look into the variety of classes offered and see if they appeal to you.
- Check if there are classes suitable for your fitness level, ensuring a comfortable and safe participation.
If you value both quiet time and socializing:
- Ask if you can stay at the community for a couple of days to experience the balance between community-related activities and personal downtime. Most senior housing communities will let you do this.
Remember, it’s important to explore and experience any aspects of the senior housing lifestyle that matter to you. Don’t limit yourself to this list; consider it a starting point.
