How to Determine Your Senior Living Needs and Wants

Once you’ve decided that senior living is right for you or your loved one, it’s important to determine what you need and want in a senior living community. There are many factors to consider, so it can be helpful to create a list of what you must have and features that would be nice to have.

Finding a Community That Meets Your Needs

When considering your needs, think about your current living situation. What aspects of your daily life do you need additional support? What tasks are challenging for you?

Here are common ways senior living communities can help meet your needs:

Evaluate and provide therapy services for mobility or health challenges
Assist with bathing, dressing, and medication management
Provide transportation for appointments and shopping
Handle all interior and exterior home maintenance repairs
Promote socialization through various activities, outings, and special programs
Encourage an active lifestyle with exercise classes and fitness equipment
Provide a safe and secure environment
Ensure access to a 24/7 emergency response team
Offer housekeeping and laundry services
Prepare nutritious meals, with accommodations for special diets

After deciding how a senior living community should meet your needs, you can move on to identifying features and amenities you’d like to have.

Download our complimentary Family Decision Toolkit!

Identifying Features and Amenities That You Enjoy in Senior Living

Most senior living communities today offer a wide range of features and amenities. While impressive, you’ll want to determine what amenities matter to you. For example, someone who enjoys swimming may prioritize finding a community with a pool.

Another senior may prefer something other than water activities but is passionate about art and creativity. They may choose a community with an art studio or a place they can create in their senior living apartment or home. Consider what is most important to you when checking out the features each community offers.

Here’s a checklist of common senior living amenities to get you started. Feel free to add your own categories if you don’t see them here.

FEATURES	MUST HAVE	NICE TO HAVE	NOT SURE
Residence
Personal laundry services
Washer/dryer in apartment
Full kitchen
Kitchenette
Storage
Other:
Lifestyle
Multiple dining venues
Outdoor spaces and walking paths
Art classes
Spiritual programs
Intergenerational activities
Salon/spa
Pet-friendly
Other:
Care/ Wellness
24-hour on-site nursing
Overnight nurse on call
On-site medical services (doctors, therapy services, dentist, podiatrist, etc.)
Memory care program
Special diets
Fitness center
Pool
Exercise classes
Other:
Safety/ Security
Emergency call technology
Front desk coverage
Emergency preparedness plan
Other:

Remember, this is all about you and what you look forward to experiencing in senior living. Complete your priority list of needs and wants, then search for communities in your desired location.

View their website, read reviews, and schedule a personalized visit to meet staff and residents. Walking through apartments, common areas, and amenities that interest you is also important. Ask lots of questions and bring your checklist with you so you can take notes of your observations.

Life at Golden Bell Senior Living

Ultimately, you want to ensure your loved one is safe and their daily needs are met. It’s important to prioritize their overall well-being so they experience a high quality of life while maintaining meaningful relationships with others.

Senior living communities like Golden Bell provide the comforts of home with the added benefits of supportive care, engaging activities, and a maintenance-free lifestyle. With your daily needs met, your loved one will live more independently and have opportunities to meet friends, discover new interests, and live each day to the fullest.

Golden Bell Senior Living, family-owned for over five decades, offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, and respite care. Residents have personalized care plans, are treated like family, and are greeted by name in a warm, welcoming environment.

Amenities and activities include:

Beautiful accommodations
Landscaped grounds and gardens
Community outings
Recreation and social activities
Chef-prepared meals
Scheduled transportation
Beauty and barber shop
Housekeeping and maintenance services

Please contact us to learn more about our communities or set up a tour. We’d love to hear from you and are happy to help answer any questions you have about senior living. For more information about choosing senior living, download our complimentary Family Decision Toolkit.

At Golden Bell Senior Living, we understand that some questions require more personalized support. If you have any queries or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us. We’re here to assist you with any individual needs and ensure you feel supported every step of the way.