Nine Point Program to Finding a Senior Living Community-Parts II & III
These are the next pieces of a nine part series on finding the right senior living community. This article was written by Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services (http://www.m-d-s.com/) and published on the Assisted Living Federation of America website (http://www.alfa.com/).
Certain situations and signs may indicate it might be time to consider alternative living arrangements. Generally speaking, families and seniors begin to consider alternatives when it becomes difficult for the elderly family member to carry on important activities of daily living without significant support and assistance from others. Some of the challenges elderly adults can face as they age include loss of vision, poor balance, memory loss or forgetfulness, fatigue, loneliness, dementia, or a physician-prescribed move to a care setting.
Whether your needs are immediate or long-term, planning for senior living can seem daunting. The Assisted Living Federation of America developed a Nine Point Program to help you find a senior living community that's right for you!
2. Making the Right Choice Involves Focusing On Three Important Issues:
- Quality of Life
- Standards of Care
- Cost and Value
3. Define and Pursue a High Quality of Life
It's difficult to define quality of life as we age and how that quality of life might be fulfilled in a senior living community. Favorable expected outcomes frequently mentioned by seniors and their families include:
- Comfort and peace of mind
- Affordability and financial security
- Quality and value
- Very high standards of care
- Optimized independence
- Socialization
- Experience/adventures/nostalgia
- Individual recognition
- Intellectual stimulation
- Self-expression and fulfillment
Set your own goals and expectations as you search for a senior living community.