Researching Senior Living for Your Parents? Here’s How to Talk About Your Findings
Our current generation of seniors can look forward to leading an active retirement for years to come. With the benefits of good nutrition, regular exercise, and access to affordable health care, they’re keeping themselves fit and healthy. They’re ready to enjoy things they may not have been able to focus on while working and raising a family, including travel, making new friendships, furthering their education, and spending time on favorite hobbies.
For many seniors, this is really the best time for independent living in a retirement community. Moving into senior living removes many of the homeownership hassles keeping them from fully enjoying retirement. Moving into senior living may even help them maximize their retirement savings.
Your Parents and Independent Living
How can you tell if your parents might be ready to move into senior living? They’re probably finding it harder to keep up with home maintenance such as yardwork and housework. They also probably don’t need as much space as they used to … they may be in a house that’s too big for their current lifestyle. If they’re on a fixed income, they may express worry about how to pay for major expenses such as an appliance replacement or home repair. If your mom or dad live alone, you may notice they don’t socialize as often as they used to or often seem bored. Here are 11 signs your parents may be ready for independent living.
Your Parents and Assisted Living
What if you’re noticing that one or both parents are not only finding it hard to keep up with home maintenance, but are also starting to struggle with normal activities of daily living? There are many signs that signal it’s time for assisted living. These could include difficulty climbing stairs, forgetting to take medications on time, neglecting personal hygiene, or lacking the motivation to prepare nutritious meals. Even if they’ve done their best to plan for a decline in health, home may no longer be a safe or suitable place for them to age.
Lifestyle Perks of Moving into Senior Living
Today’s senior living communities are some of the best places for younger seniors to retire. In independent living, your parents will have their own private residence and set their own schedule. They’ll be part of a vibrant community with other active older adults, where they can take full advantage of maintenance-free living that makes their lives easier. At Galleria Woods, they’ll enjoy a resort-like lifestyle: housekeeping and linen services, chef-prepared dining, fitness and wellness programs, lifelong learning, and personal concierge services. These are all on campus and included in their monthly fee. When it comes to assisted living, Galleria Woods can provide an exceptional quality of life. Your parents will continue to live in a private residence, but with personalized, professional assistance when they need it, especially in the event of an emergency. They can confidently enjoy all the services, amenities, and activities we offer and meet other fun, interesting people their age. And if they ever need a higher level of care, as Galleria Woods residents, they’ll already have access to a continuum of health services on campus.
Financial Advantages of Moving into Senior Living
While it’s tempting to put off a conversation about future needs, the facts are that someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of service and support as they get older. What your parents pay for care will vary depending on where they live, but it’s fair to say that the cost of care will only keep going up. Long-term care insurance may not cover what you’d assume it would, and it may not kick in until your parents are affected by a significant health change.
A Life Plan Community such as Galleria Woods can offer advantages when it comes to managing overall retirement costs, including the cost of long-term care. Your parents will be pleasantly surprised how favorably the cost of moving into senior living compares with the cost of living in and maintaining their home. Their monthly fee will also stay virtually the same if they eventually need care. They’ll have priority access to high-quality senior care and pay far less than market rates.
Talking About Senior Living Options
Whether you believe your parents would benefit from moving into senior living to continue their independent lifestyle or would be best served in a residential community where they can get the added support of assisted living, convincing them to give senior living a try is going to take effort. Many older adults have never been inside a modern senior living community, but they imagine them to be like the “rest homes” of old, a step away from losing independence and a sign they’ve “given up.” Other family members may also disagree that moving into senior living is the best choice — here are some tips on how to avoid and resolve family conflict over caring for aging parents.
As you start talking to parents and family members, bear in mind a move to a Life Plan Community is better done sooner than later. If they move in while they’re still active and healthy, they’ll have the best chance of fully enjoying the many services, amenities and opportunities offered there. If that community offers a Life Care option, as Galleria Woods does, in order to qualify for Life Care, your parents will have to meet certain health requirements, including completing a health questionnaire and passing a medical exam. Life Care is a residential and care contract that ensures a seamless transition from independent living to a higher level of care if ever needed, with virtually no increase in the monthly fee.
Welcome to Galleria Woods
At Galleria Woods, your parents will have everything they need to flourish in retirement. Our community offers an energizing independent lifestyle, and we’re ready with the services they need if their health changes in the future. We’re more than happy to help arrange a tour of our campus to help your parents with their decision-making. Contact us today at 205-390-6600 for resources, guides and other helpful information.
