Are you in search of an assisted living community for yourself or a senior loved one in your life? You’ll want to do your research in order to choose the best option for all parties involved. In this guide, our experts here at St. Paul’s Senior Services will help you get started. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 8 questions you should ask when looking for the best assisted living community for yourself or your loved one. By asking these questions over the phone or during schedule tours, you’ll be on your way to determining which community will fit best for your needs. Read on to learn more, and contact St. Paul’s Plaza or St. Paul’s Villa, our San Diego assisted living communities today!

What types of housing are offered?

Most assisted living communities offer apartment housing for their residents. Like many regular apartment buildings, assisted living communities will often have several types of residences to choose from. These may include studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms, or other type of apartment spaces. When picking an assisted living community for your senior loved one, it’s important to choose a community that offers the type of living space best for his or her needs. In addition to general space-related needs, it’s also important to consider other needs, such as kitchen space. Picking a community that meets your senior loved one’s needs is of the utmost importance.

What types of meals are provided, and when are they served?

Proper nutrition is vital for seniors. When searching for an assisted living community, you’ll want to be sure to get as much information as possible about the food served on the premises. What types of meals are provided? How often are they served? Are there custom options available? Asking these questions can help you settle on an assisted living community that best meets the dietary needs of your senior loved one.

What activities are provided, and how many residents participate?

As many seniors move into assisted living communities to reinvigorate their social lives and participate in specially-tailored extracurricular activities, it’s important to choose an assisted living community that offers activities your senior loved one enjoys. Many senior living communities offer structured activities ranging from scheduled exercise classes to field trips and group game nights. During your selection process, ask communities in your area about the activities they offer. Sit in on one or two and see how many seniors participate. This well help you get a feel for the general quality of the activities offered at a given community.

Who are the residents?

One of the best ways to find out whether a particular assisted living community is good fit for your senior loved one is to learn more about the seniors that already live there. Getting as much information on the current residents of a given community will give you insight into the quality of community as a whole? Do the residents seem happy? What do they have to say about life at their community? Are there seniors with memory-related conditions living at the facility you’re considering? Are their needs being met? Getting answers to these questions can help you determine if an assisted living facility would be a good fit for a senior in your life.

What are the transportation options?

Do you or loved one need transportation assistance for moving or visitations? Many assisted living communities offer transportation options to help out. If transportation assistance is high on your list of priorities, be sure to ask about the transportation options offered by the assisted living facilities you’re touring.

What other amenities are there, and will they cost extra?

Assisted living communities often distinguish themselves by amenities they offer. To get a good understanding of what separates the assisted living community you’re touring from other communities in the area, ask about their amenities. While you’re learning about the community has to offer, be sure to ask which amenities and services cost extra. This can go a long way in helping you make your decision — especially when your budget is strict.

What happens in the event that a change in services is needed?

As seniors age, they can face a number of new health complications and general needs that they may not have had to deal with in preceding years. Thus, existing assisted living arrangements may need to be changed as a senior’s needs change. Before settling on an assisted living community for your loved one, it’s best to take a look at their long-term plans and accommodations for seniors with changing needs. The best assisted living communities in the San Diego region, like our senior living communities here at St. Paul’s Senior Services, offer Memory Care living and Skilled Nursing in addition to Independent Living and Assisted Living residences to ensure that the changing needs of all seniors are met. Other communities with more limited accommodations may be able to offer recommendations for senior care as the needs of their residents change.

What are the details of the contract?

All senior living communities mandate that potential residents and their families sign a contract before beginning residency. Before making your final decision, it’s important to review all residency contracts in full. If possible, you should have your lawyer and financial advisor review any contract you are weighing. (You should also have your advisors examine potential communities’ financials to ensure that they won’t go out of business while your loved one is a resident.) The most common types of contracts offered by senior care communities include traditional life-care contracts, modified contacts (which provide a specific set of services for a specific period, usually in pay-as-you go formats), and fee-for-service contracts (which structure payment around the inclusion of certain services).

Learn More with St. Paul’s Senior Services

Want to learn more about how to choose the right assisted living for yourself or your loved one? Our team here at St. Paul’s Senior Services is here to help. St. Paul’s Villa and St. Paul’s Plaza are excellent assisted living communities. We are happy to help those looking to learn more about assisted living in general. Explore our website to learn more, and contact our team today!