The Senior Living Search: Key Questions for Making an Informed Choice

Here are a few questions to get you started.

• How big is the community? 

As you research memory care, you’ll quickly discover there are lots of variations. Some memory care settings are stand-alone communities. Others are located within a larger senior living community that also offers living options such as independent living. So called “big box” senior living communities often include impressive amenities that may or may not be accessible to those in memory care. 

Many families decide that a smaller, more intimate setting, such as a residential home offering memory care, offers a genuine “home” feeling as well as more individualized attention from the care staff. With fewer residents to watch over, staff become close companions, and residents and family members alike relax knowing a familiar face is always close by. 

• How much time do the residents spend in their rooms each day? 

Even the most interesting array of amenities will not coax a memory care or assisted living resident from their room if they are not encouraged to do so. Unfortunately, as cognition declines, it results in a tendency to isolate and withdraw, and also can affect physical activity, disrupt sleep and result in raised blood pressure. That’s why It’s important during your senior living search to ask what steps the care team takes to keep residents involved in activities during the day. 

If you are touring a community, be sure to notice if residents appear to be isolated in their rooms, or left sitting in the hallway or in common areas. You want a setting where residents are encouraged to leave their rooms and engage and connect throughout the day. 

• What are mealtimes like? 

A key part of any senior living search. Be sure to check out where residents eat in a community, and pay attention to the warmth and arrangement of the dining area. Are menus varied? How does the wait staff interact with residents? Ask what special details are incorporated in the dining experience, such as settings on the table, colors in the room, and so on. Can residents participate in the process? An inviting, pleasant atmosphere where residents can dine alongside friends and visiting family members is a wonderful benefit. 

In our residential memory care at Assured Senior Living, delicious, family-style meals are created daily in our well-appointed home kitchens, with residents encouraged to pitch in and feel empowered to actively participate in their daily lives. 

• Can residents get outside? Do they go on outings outside the community? 

Breathing some fresh air and feeling the sun on your face is just plain good for you, and most definitely for anyone in memory care. Studies show that being outdoors provides both physical and psychological benefits, including Vitamin D, feeling self-worth, and reduced risk of depression. Be sure to ask about an outdoor patio or secured garden area where residents should be able to spend time. Also inquire about special group outings, whether a scenic drive, or an excursion to a park or other site. 

A big advantage of residential senior living is that residents are living in a regular suburban home, and are part of a neighborhood. That opens the doors to opportunities such as quiet time on the front porch, a concert on the private patio, or afternoon walks around the neighborhood. A true sense of being part of the greater community—a familiar feeling of being at home. 

• What is their goal for the residents?  

You are going to find during your senior living search that today’s memory care communities are evolving as never before. Take the time to ask about their philosophy; what they want each resident to experience. It should be more than simply staying safe and well-fed. What is their focus on wellness? How do they promote healthy aging? Do they embrace an attitude of vitality and purpose that is easily sensed when you visit? 

It matters when a community really understands how important it is for each individual to be able to continue their lives as much as possible, supported by compassionate care and respect. It’s a realization that a diagnosis does not mean life stops; each person has the right to thrive and live an empowered life. At Assured Senior Living, we believe in breaking down the barriers and personalizing the aging journey. 

This list is just a sample of the questions you might ask. Others could concern staffing, activities, safety features, monthly rates, and more. Take your time and you’ll be able to make the right choice. 

At Assured Senior Living, you’ll find more than a community. You’ll find purposeful living.