The decision to move into a senior living community is an exciting opportunity for you or your loved one to find a new home, meet new people and join a community. While this is a new adventure for you, it can also provide family members peace of mind knowing you are getting the support you need.

When making the decision to move into a senior living facility, the first step is finding a community that fits you or your loved one’s needs and feels like home. Before starting the process of looking for the perfect retirement community, it’s important to think through questions to consider and decisions to make before booking a tour.

The first question to ask is what type of care you or your loved one needs. A senior living community will become a new home, so you need to make sure that the community offers services and activities that match your or your loved one’s interests and pace. For socialization and convenience, an independent living community would be a great fit. If you’re looking for 24/7 on-site care or are dealing with health issues such as dementia, assisted living or memory care communities provide trained staff who specialize in taking care of your loved one’s specific needs.  

Location is also important when it comes to finding a senior living community. Picking a location close to friends and family can help make the transition to the community feel more natural, and finding a community close to your loved one also allows more opportunities to visit and stay in contact. An added bonus is to look for a community close to shops or locations that you and your loved one like to visit, such as a favorite hair salon, park or neighborhood restaurant. 

Another crucial step in the process is considering the budget for moving to a senior living community. It’s important to sit down with a trusted and experienced financial adviser to create budget parameters before touring communities. Make sure to ask the community what is included in the monthly cost. For example, a senior living community may include the price of internet, meals, utilities and rent in one monthly payment. 

Below are some questions to ask communities before touring:

• What kinds of floor plans do you have available?
• What is the monthly cost per apartment type?
• What are your billing and payment policies?
• Are all services included in the monthly fee? If not, what and how much are additional services?
• What kinds of activities do you offer?
• Do you allow pets? 

Lastly, make sure that you or your loved one feels excited about the community that they are moving into. It’s important to feel happy and safe in your new home!