How to Find the Right Senior Living Community

About 90% of older Americans say they’d like to age in place and stay in their current home as long as possible, but sometimes health and mobility concerns require a different type of living arrangement. What are the choices when it comes to senior living? How do you know which type is right for you? What should you look for in a senior living community and what should you ask when you visit one?

My Guest

My guest today is Lori LeGrand of Oasis Senior Advisors of Central Florida. Lori offers free personalized assistance to older adults in their families as they explore Senior Living options. Lori has 20 years of experience in the eldercare industry serves her well when it comes to living out Her mission to be a personal resource for families, friends, and anyone involved in a senior’s life. She was a joy to host and boy did she ever deliver on providing LOTS of great information!

Types of Senior Living?

Once the decision to make a change has been made, the next step is to choose which senior living option is right for you or your loved one. Senior living options are many, but the main ones:

  • Independent Living (IL)
  • Assisted Living (AL or ALF)
  • Memory Care (a type of ALF)
  • Skilled Nursing (SNF)

The ‘F’ in all of the abbreviations stands for ‘facility,” but most people refer to buildings as ‘communities’ instead). A Continuous Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offers all levels of care on one property and allows residents to move through the continuum of care as needed.

What to Look For

As you start your search, it is important to assess your needs as they are now and ask each provider how they might accommodate any changes over time. It also is important to examine your finances and ask about costs. When touring communities, use all five of your senses to observe the environment. Listen to episode 23 for guidance on this. Use this Questions to Ask Worksheet to compare communities.

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Liz Craven
Author: Liz Craven

Liz Craven, along with her husband Wes, owns Pro-Ad Media, publisher of Sage Aging ElderCare Guide, serving the local community for over 28 years. Liz lives in Lakeland and is very active in the local community, specifically in the area of aging. Liz serves on a number of local boards and committees including the Lakeland Vision and Age Friendly Lakeland.