Gone are the days of “one-size fits all” when it comes to senior care and living options. Today’s senior living communities offer a wide array of care, living, and retirement lifestyle options, as their owners and operators have come to more clearly understand and prioritize the importance of personalized care and a well-rounded lifestyle.
Depending on where you live, you may find a number of senior living communities that offer far more than basic senior care. But finding the senior living option that fits you the best doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process.
Keep reading as we make the process easier by reviewing things to consider when searching for the right senior living community, and learn how a Friendship Village community could be just what you’re looking for.
What Does Retirement Lifestyle Really Mean?
You’ve probably been planning your retirement for years now, but do you really know what you want this new chapter of your life to look like? Retirement is as much a lifestyle choice as it is about money saved and the location you gravitate toward.
Independent senior living communities allow you to live a maintenance-free lifestyle and come and go as you please – encouraging you to travel, follow your passions, meet new friends and learn new things in the community, and so much more.
Things to Consider When Searching for the Right Senior Living Community
1. Do they offer different levels of care?
Finding a senior living community that offers levels of care that adjust and evolve as you age allows you to stay in the same place as your needs change. Search for one that offers rehabilitation services, skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care. The reality is that everyone ages at a different pace, so finding a community that enables you to age in place is essential.
2. Do they provide activities and events that interest you?
Most senior living communities offer a variety of activities and programs to keep you healthy and engaged. Some communities develop new activities based on their residents’ evolving passions and interests. But if you have a particular activity that you truly love, such as continuing education, travel, or golfing, it’s important to find a senior living community that offers that activity to its residents.
3. Is the cuisine nutritious and delicious?
It’s no secret that the food options at some senior living communities have garnered the reputation of being unappealing at times. This is because, for years, corporate owners ignored how it tasted to save time and money. So, if you tour a specific community and find them using cafeteria-style tray lines, perhaps that’s an option to avoid. Instead, look for a senior living community that incorporates fresh and delicious food into the daily offerings.
4. Are they in a desirable location?
When searching for your ideal senior living community, you can begin by narrowing down your location preferences. Perhaps you’re looking for a community that is conveniently located so your loved ones can visit. Or maybe you decide to search for one that makes walking or biking into town for dining or shopping easier. Either way, make sure the option you choose is located in a place that offers everything you’re looking for.
5. Does it offer the amenities that truly matter to you?
Finding a community that makes your life more convenient and maintenance-free is important. But so is locating one that enables you to better manage your overall health and well-being. For example, you might find it much more likely to get out on morning walks if the community offers access to walking paths on campus. Also, you might appreciate access to exercise or yoga classes, a personal gardening plot, or a sports court offering tennis or other activities that keep you focused and fit.
Retirement Lifestyle Unlike the Rest at Friendship Village
Whether you’re looking for a full fitness center, library, theater, salon and spa, or even an ice cream parlor, you’ll find that Friendship Village offers a fun, active retirement lifestyle with amenities that help keep every day exciting and new.
If you’re looking for a not-for-profit independent senior living community focused on friendship, freedom, and faith in the St. Louis area, consider Friendship Village Chesterfield and Friendship Village Sunset Hills.
Learn more about us or contact us to schedule a tour.