Subscribe
Copied to clipboard
Share
Share
Copied to clipboard
Embed
Copied to clipboard
Senior Living Arizona
Trailer
Bonus
Episode 1
Season 1
What Senior Living Looks Like Today
Did you know that according to Saint Simeon's assisted living facts and statistics, currently around one million Americans live in some type of senior living community and that number is expected to double by the year 2030? By the year 2040, the 85+ population is expected to triple from the 5.7 million there were in 2011 to 14.1 million. In addition, by the year 2030, one-fifth of the US population will be over the age of 65. Many seniors will seek long-term living solutions outside of their homes. Care for seniors isn’t a new concern. If fact early thoughts on aging and care date back to 44BC. Marcus Tullius Cicero defined four reasons why old age appears to be unhappy.
1) It withdraws us from active pursuits
2) It makes the body weaker
3) It deprives us of physical pleasures
4) It is not far removed from death
That sounds disturbing and scary, doesn’t it? So, what does this mean for today’s seniors? Is the ‘age old’ belief system still accurate for our society today in the 21st century? How does this translate to current times and people? People are living longer than ever and one’s quality of life is vitally important. Here at Senior Living Services, our goal is to demystify the aging process proving that senescence is no longer the only reality. We have devoted our efforts to the elder community deserving to be honored for their contributions to the world we are inheriting. The reality today is that senior living is brimming with possibilities. We believe in aging successfully.
So what does that look like? First of all, aging isn’t easy. That is a reality anyone getting older can identify with but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done well. How we choose to age is up to us as individuals and our families often play a role in that process. Most people prefer to maintain their independence at home and that is a fabulous thing when we can manage it. Often as we age, the efforts in dealing with a home, all the maintenance and upkeep along with taxes and the financial burdens can get overwhelming on top of keeping up with maintaining one’s health. Senior living communities are designed to alleviate the responsibilities and worries that we face as we advance in years. So it’s important to understand what the qualities are of an efficacious senior retirement community.
Let's start with the MISSION of any community you research. It’s vitally important to know their standards. Their mission should yield valuable insights guiding their approach to senior care that align with your personal attitudes and beliefs. Don’t settle for anything less.
The most important on your list of concerns should be the first impression you get from any community. How were you greeted? How long did it take for someone to acknowledge you? Is the environment warm and welcoming or is it cold and austere? How you feel in the community when you first visit is crucial.
Definitely, location is a huge factor in deciding what community works best for you. Are you looking for a peaceful, more remote location as in a small town or would you prefer to be near a more urban, active city setting? Keeping in mind where your family and friends are close by may be paramount in your search.
How important is entertainment to you whether it’s something outdoors such as hiking or golfing or being close to restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping? For many people, having these social connections will support their senior lifestyle and their involvement in the movement of life. Be sure the location of where you anticipate moving is one that offers you access to the activities and things you value most.
There are various levels of service available to people seeking retirement living. Not all seniors share the same needs. Senior needs can range from independent living to personal care, to assisted living, to at-home services, memory care or even skilled nursing. Choosing a community that offers the services related to one’s needs or how one may advance in needs is noteworthy on your search. That being said, should the need arise, understanding in advance whether access is available to rehabs and skilled nursing facilities either nearby or on the premises is something to consider as well.
Socialization, interaction, and activities are part of the recipe for a beneficial experience in modern senior living. Long gone are the days of a sedentary lifestyle and/or isolation from interests and hobbies. In today’s culture, communities offer enrichment programs designed to maintain the process of aging successfully. A lively activities program is essential to the current needs of our elders. Not to mention, fitness and moving one’s body. Activities in an active retirement community should include more than games, arts & crafts, or book clubs for example But outdoor options like a swimming pool or tennis court or gardens and walking paths are an integral necessity that a responsible community should offer. If there are activities that are valuable to you, look for those offerings in the communities you research. They’re available and they’re awesome! You definitely want fun things to do and have the mental stimulation to keep your mind and body fresh and fluid. You know what they say, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Senior Living today helps you use it and keep it longer!
One of the greatest aspects of any retirement community is a community that offers events. Whether it’s holiday celebrations, live entertainment, educational programs, or community projects, aging successfully includes this type of engagement. Definitely research the events calendar of any community you are interested in.
One of the gifts of retirement is having the time to spend not only with your human loved ones but with your furry loved ones too. Having a pet is a wonderful way to uplift your spirits and there are many studies that show how the presence of animals in a senior’s life adds joy, companionship, and comfort. If you have a pet or are considering having one, make sure to know the pet policy, including extra fees or restrictions of any community you are considering.
As we advance in years, we may need some support when it comes to managing our finances, especially in today’s high-tech, fast-paced world. Knowing not only what to anticipate as far as inflation, rent increases or unexpected health expenses are vital considerations when seeking retirement housing. Planning who will assist in managing your income and bills as well as anticipating how long your money will last will assist you in determining the costs that will accommodate your budget. Having this plan in place will make your search that much easier.
Staffing in any industry is key to a healthy environment on every level. The relationship a resident shares with the staff of a retirement community is absolutely key in the process of aging well and feeling safe in your home. Pay attention to the staff of any community you visit. Do the staff members know the residents’ names? Are they friendly and accommodating, polite and efficient in their communications? Are they patient, kind, and compassionate to their population? Take note of the feeling you get from the social climate of any property you investigate.
Resident feedback, reviews, and testimonials are helpful in determining whether a senior community is accomplishing its mission’s goals. When touring a community engaging with the residents should be an aspect of your time that is not only allowed but encouraged. Nothing is better than hearing from a resident how much they love where they’re living. Conversely, if they don’t love it so much…wouldn’t you want to know why? A community that makes space for this type of engagement shows transparency that nurtures an unmistakable feeling of comfort and safety; Two key components of finding the right home.
Having transportation available is also a feature of retirement living that is vital for so many people as they advance in years. Keeping one's independence includes having the ability to run errands, get to the hairdresser or barber, shopping, and to important doctor's visits. At some point, for most of us, our ability to navigate traffic and drive a car becomes more challenging. So, a community that offers transportation as part of its amenities package is essential.
Finally, a few important questions to get answers that include basic questions like
- Whether or not the utilities are included with your rent and which utilities are included if any is an expense to cover?
- Also, what kind of maintenance does the property offer and perform if any on your apartment or casita?
- What are the dining options?
- Are meal plans available?
- Do they include regular meals?
- What about holidays and special occasions?
- What is their policy on having friends and family join you for a meal in the dining room if they have restaurant-style dining?
- What dietary options are available?
- And you’ll want to see a menu or two for sure!
We at Senior Living Services hope that you got a lot of value from the information that we’ve shared today. Retirement Living in 2022 is an amazing adventure. Aging well and successfully is now a reality and includes so much more than sitting on the porch on a rocking chair. Not that THAT is a bad thing! On the contrary, it’s a wonderful thing but it doesn’t have to be the only thing. Senior Living today is about creating longevity, including mental and physical health, through activities, events, o services offerings, and amenities in COMMUNITIES that embody that mission. This is more common and available today than ever before.
Please stay tuned and join us for the series we are offering. Our next episode will give you an understanding of the difference between Independent Living and Assisted Living so that you can prepare for your future or, if you’re an adult child of an aging parent, you can plan well for your parent. We intend to continue to share this information with our audience to assist in the process of choosing a Retirement Community wisely.