Florida has long been a magnet for seniors looking to enjoy their golden years in comfort and style. It is home to around 1,092 senior care facilities, including assisted living, memory care, and nursing communities. If you have decided that now's the time to make a move, we understand that choosing a senior living community can be daunting!
There are many things to consider, including proximity to friends and family, provisions for care, and the range of social activities on offer. In this guide, we'll discuss four factors that can help you make the right choice when choosing a senior living community.
1. Location, Location, Location
We've often heard this mantra in the world of real estate, and it's true when choosing a senior living community. If at all possible, consider retirement communities that allow you to maintain close links with friends and family.
Close to Friends and Family
A 2023 study found that family ties are beneficial for the well-being of older adults. It's important not just to have relatives but to maintain strong bonds with them. Of course, this is possible through technology, but proximity can also help.
Family may not participate in your care but can provide emotional support. Friends play a similar role. In fact, friendships are associated with less stress than family relationships, making them particularly fulfilling.
But what if it's not practical to choose a senior living community close to where your family lives? Don't worry - you can make lots of new friends in your new home. Look for a community with a roster of activities that will allow you to form friendships with your neighbors quickly.
Easy Access to Healthcare Facilities
As we get older, most of us need to make more frequent trips to healthcare facilities. A retirement or assisted living community may be right for you if you are still independent and have no serious health conditions requiring long-term care. While you can get personal care support, these communities do not offer on-site medical care.
Therefore, it's important to investigate senior living options close to doctors and hospitals. This will allow you to access medical care easily when the need arises.
2. Types of Care Provided
There are several different types of senior care facilities, each offering an increasing level of support.
Retirement Communities
One of the most popular senior living options, retirement communities are for older people in good health. Enjoy the comfort, privacy, and independence of your own home without having to clean or maintain it! You can enjoy social activities, fitness, and more with other community residents.
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living communities do not have medical staff on-site. However, they may provide support for personal care needs and medication management. So, if you have medical needs that require additional care, they may not be the best option.
Memory Care
A memory care community could be a great option for seniors with a long-term condition such as Alzheimer's disease. Trained nurses and certified nurse assistants staff these specialist homes. Regular visits from doctors who specialize in memory care ensure your health needs are well cared for.
Nursing Care
Nursing care communities are a great option for non-memory-related long-term conditions. They provide 24-hour nursing care for complex needs and may also have doctors and other therapists on-site.
Combined Communities
Your health is doubtless one of the biggest factors in choosing a senior living community. Yet, it's hard for any of us to know what the future holds.
That's why it may be good to consider a community that offers a range of options. Some of the best senior living communities have retirement living, assisted living, and memory care all on the same site. This may mean you can increase your level of care and remain in the community you love.
3. Living Accommodations
The beauty of the best senior living communities is the privacy and independence they foster. You have your own home that is just for you. A private sanctuary to relax and entertain in to your heart's content.
Options for Everyone
There may be a variety of floor plans to choose from. These typically range from suites to two-bedroom apartments. All have kitchen facilities, and some may even have balconies to allow you to enjoy the outdoors.
Memory care communities may offer companion suites. They allow two compatible seniors to share a home that has separate sleeping areas. This has been shown to foster a sense of security and make life more enjoyable for seniors with memory problems.
Apartments for seniors are designed to help you stay safe while enjoying a stylish home. Look out for features that make life easier, such as walk-in showers and open-plan designs.
Arrange Tours
Looking at a website is great, but visiting in person is even better. Senior living communities are always happy to open their doors to people who are interested in moving in. So why not schedule visits to a few communities to see where you feel most at home?
4. Amenities and Recreation
Retirement is all about having fewer responsibilities and more time for fun!
Think carefully about the amenities senior living options provide that appeal to you. For example, some may have:
- Restaurants
- Walking paths
- Fitness centers
- Beauty salon
- Barbershop
- Outdoor recreation areas
- Multi-function rooms for various arranged activities
- Bar
These amenities give you lots of opportunities to meet new people and forge lasting friendships. Not only do these make life more enjoyable, they can even help us to live longer.
Choosing a Senior Living Community in Jacksonville, FL
If you're choosing a senior living community in Jacksonville, FL, we can help. At Discovery Village at Deerwood, we have a range of senior living options to choose from. These include retirement living, assisted living, and SHINE® Memory Care.
Retirement and assisted living let you maintain independence while benefiting from additional security and support. If you have a health condition that affects your memory, SHINE® Memory Care offers a person-centered approach to help you live life to the fullest.
Why not schedule a tour of our community and see for yourself how enjoyable life at Discovery Village can be?
