When you are getting ready to choose a senior independent living community for you or a loved one, do you know the best way to differentiate between them, so that you can find the right one for you?
“Most independent living communities offer the same basic amenities – a meal plan, housekeeping, maintenance, transportation and activities,” says Robyn Duffey-Rogers, Corporate Director of Sales at Bethesda Health Group, a nonprofit, non-denominational senior living, care and service organization in St. Louis.
“Most people have done a little homework, so they know the area they want to live in and what they can afford,” she says. “However, many don’t know what to ask about beyond that, which is what can make the process intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be.”
How to Differentiate
One easy way to determine which independent living community might be the right one for you is the feeling you get when you talk with the staff. This can start from the very first person you talk to when you call. Are they friendly? Are they listening to you? Are they attentive to your questions, even if they aren’t the ones who are able to provide the answers?
What you glean during your first few conversations should give you a good feel about the culture of the community – the way they treat people, and how much they value their residents.
Questions to Ask
There is nothing wrong with asking about the meal program and the frequency of the housekeeping services. In fact, during a tour, you should be able to see an apartment and sample a meal.
However, there are plenty of other questions you can ask to help qualify the general culture of the community (and in many cases, the organization to which it belongs):
- How long has the community been around?
- What is the average length of employment of the staff?
- What is the average tenure of the residents?
- Is the community or organization for profit or nonprofit?
- Is the community religious based or non-denominational?
- How does the community provide support for residents who may have exhausted their funds?
- How does the company give back to the greater community?
In addition, one of the most important considerations to clarify is what options you have if you need a higher level of care and support as you age. There are plenty of organizations, like Bethesda, that offer private duty and home health care for its residents. And if they eventually need it, it also offers assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support.
Don’t Wait Too Long!
Duffey-Rogers says that the smart move is to start as soon as you think you are ready rather than waiting.
“I’ve worked in senior housing for over 20 years, and without a doubt I hear ‘I wish I had made the move sooner’ more than anything else,” she says.
“We know it’s not easy to leave a home after many decades, but if you know the questions to ask, and if the staff provides you with answers as they should, the process should be much easier.”
| Whether in independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, Bethesda offers the right amenities, services, programming, and staff to make every day full of purpose. See for yourself and tour our independent living communities, including Bethesda Barclay House – Clayton, Bethesda Gardens – Kirkwood, Bethesda Orchard – Webster Groves, Bethesda Terrace – South County, Village North Retirement Community – Florissant, and The Oaks at Bethesda Villas – Kirkwood/Webster. |
