Iowa is one of the oldest states in the country, ranking 4th in population over the age of 75.
With 1.1 million Iowans now over the age of 50, the need for high-quality assisted senior living communities is going to become more pressing. When your loved one is dealing with age-related health issues that prevent them from enjoying an independent lifestyle, it can take a physical and mental toll.
Finding them a community that can take some of life's burdens away is integral, but how do you find the right one? In today's post, we'll tell you how to choose senior living that makes sense for your loved one.
The best-assisted living community is out there waiting for them. Keep reading, and we'll give you the senior living guide to help you find it.
Before you start looking at local communities, you need to figure out exactly what type of care your loved one needs. Are they relatively healthy for their age, or do they have age-related health issues that make daily life more of a struggle?
There are a few different types of elder care communities. Healthy seniors who don't require staff to tend to their needs will prefer independent living communities. These are retirement homes that take away the burden of living independently while facilitating social connections between seniors.
When your loved one deals with mobility issues or other health problems, they'll need to look at assisted living options. These communities have qualified and compassionate staff available 24/7 to assist with the unique needs of each community member.
There's also memory care for those dealing with Alzheimer's, something that affects 66,000 Iowans. Memory care provides specially trained staff to assist residents in navigating their complex and ever-changing symptoms.
Choosing the right type of care is an essential first step in maximizing your loved one's quality of life.
Deciding on a location is crucial for a couple of reasons. Firstly, consider how adventurous your loved one is. Will they want to make lots of outings to local shops, restaurants, and parks?
If so, they'll want to be in a centrally located community to take advantage of local amenities. For those who prefer staying in, you don't have to worry about the local amenities.
It's also worth noting that communities situated in city centers are more costly because real estate is more expensive. If you're on a budget, choose a community further away from the hustle and bustle.
The other thing to think about is the transition into senior care. Picking a community that's accessible to friends and family will lead to more visits for your loved one. This will make the transition much easier to handle.
To start your search in earnest, head to Google and type in "best-assisted living near me." From there, look at the ratings and reviews to glean important information from people who have experience with the community.
No one can tell you more about the quality of care and the state of the amenities than the loved ones of former residents. Use the reviews to identify any red flags that might eliminate one community from contention.
Use the reviews to narrow your search down to a few of the most reputable communities. Schedule tours with these communities to see them for yourself.
When touring senior living communities, come prepared with a list of questions to ask your guide. You'll have unique concerns about your loved one's needs, but here are a few common questions:
These questions can help you understand how a community operates, as well as the level of care your loved one will receive. Getting a sense of the staff's expertise and level of compassion is essential before selecting one community over another.
You'll also want to investigate the in-suite and community-wide amenities. A good set of amenities will boost the quality of life for all residents, so make sure there's lots on offer and that they're well-maintained.
Ascertain what your loved one's day-to-day will look like in a given community. Good communities will have a calendar of daily activities that promote fitness and socialization among residents.
Seniors need 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per day. This helps them avoid things like osteoporosis, arthritis, and unnecessary weight gain. Daily activities might include Tai Chi, yoga, walking clubs, and leisure sports.
It's also important for residents to interact with one another. Seniors who don't get social interaction run the risk of feeling isolated from their community. Their community should make every effort to facilitate meaningful relationships to help them avoid social isolation.
During your tour, make sure to taste or at least view the in-house dining menu. Seniors need to eat a healthy diet to avoid things like diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.
Assisted living communities should provide in-house dining with a rotating menu of healthy meals. Your loved one shouldn't have to worry about cooking at all, but they also shouldn't worry about whether their dietary needs are being met.
Assess the safety and security in the community. Are there enough staff members present to properly care for all residents at any given time? Are there safety measures in place to prevent falling and lower the risk of injury?
The community should be secure to prevent unauthorized outsiders. It should also take measures to prevent Alzheimer's sufferers from wandering out of the community and putting themselves at risk.
These assisted living tips will help you find the best assisted senior living community for your loved one. It can be an overwhelming task to select a community for your loved one's golden years, but if they have the things mentioned here, then you've made the right choice.
The top local community for your loved one is Addington Place of Muscatine. We offer unique amenities, great programming, and compassionate staff for all of our residents. Schedule your tour today and see it all for yourself.