5 Key Questions You Need to Ask While Touring a Senior Living Community

Making the decision to move into a senior living community is a big one. Going from living in your own home or apartment into a community full of like-minded individuals is a big adjustment that many people struggle with. While you may be excited about the prospect of doing so, the actual practice can be a little overwhelming, even if you know it’s the best decision for you and your family.

So, when you’ve weighed your options, looked at the numbers, and talked about it with your family, how do you finally make the decision about what community is best for you? Whether it’s here at our Madison Heights senior apartments or at another senior living community across the country, how do you know what you should be looking for in a senior retirement community?

Here are seven questions you should ask when you’re making your decision:

1. What levels of care are offered in your community?

When you’re trying to decide what senior community might be best for you, be sure to take a look at what different levels of care any potential community offers. For example, does the community offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care?

You may not need these services when you first move into the community, but it doesn’t hurt to keep that knowledge on the back burner. Knowing that your community offers these different specialized care plans can be a huge plus should you ever need to shift from independent living to more assisted living. You may be able to stay in your rooms or apartment in the future. Or, if you do need to move, it will be significantly easier moving into a new room as opposed to a brand new building. 

If you aren’t interested in that or don’t want to be in a senior living community with these options available, then that’s your personal preference! Make the decision that’s best for you and your needs. 

2. What is the security like? 

In today’s environment, knowing that you have good security is imperative. As you tour your potential new home, take note of all of the safety features. Do residents and guests need to sign in as they enter? Are the doors leading outside locked at all times? Does your room have a keypad lock? Are there security cameras?

It may feel like overkill, but your safety is paramount to your happiness and security in your new home. You shouldn’t feel unsafe in your most sacred place, no matter what. If you have any security concerns, it’s best to figure out exactly what you need right at the beginning. 

3. What are your dining options?

Much like a college, many senior living communities and senior apartments have meal plans and dining options. When you’re making your decision of what community you should join, take a close look at their dining options. Do they have restaurants on site, or are your only dining options in the dining areas at certain times? Does your apartment have a kitchen area where you can make your own dinner if you want to? Does your community offer snacks at all times of the day?

While you will never go hungry at a senior living community, it’s important to know what exactly they offer so that you can best be prepared for what to expect. 

4. What are the living spaces like? 

Depending upon the type of senior living you’re interested in, the floor plans of your rooms may be wildly different from another in the same complex. Make sure that when you tour the senior community that you get a solid idea of what exactly each type of care may offer. Plus, take a close look at the different room options. You may be able to choose your own room layout!

5. What is your cost and what are your payment options?

One of the most important questions you can ask your senior community is about the cost, because knowing your budget is arguably the most important part of your decision. There are a few questions you should ask:

• How much is the monthly fee?
• What does the monthly fee include, and what does it not include?
• Is there a moving fee or entrance fee?
• Are there any payment plans available?

No two senior communities are going to be alike. Some may have a massive array of amenities that are all included in the monthly cost, while some may not have any kind of amenities at all. It’s all dependent upon each brand. 

Depending on the type of care you’re interested in, your insurance may help to pay some of the costs as well. Make sure that you’re getting all of the information you can from your representative. 

If you’re interested in one of our Madison Heights senior apartments, our FAQ section may be able to answer some of your questions. Take a look at our FAQs, and we’ll be happy to help you answer any remaining questions you may have!

Reserve at Red Run

Here at the Reserve at Red Run, we take pride in our Madison Heights senior apartments. Our luxury senior apartment complex has an amazing array of services to offer all of our residents. We feel confident that you will always have something to do that you’ll enjoy. Our activities calendar truly says it all. 

If you’re worried about the costs, we want to help you alleviate that worry. Check out the cost calculator on our website to get the true comparison of living in your own home versus living here at Reserve at Red Run. Sometimes, it helps to have a visual aide to let you know how much you’re truly saving by joining our senior living community. 

If you’re interested in making our Madison Heights senior apartments your new home, we’d love to have you. Contact us for a tour and to speak with one of our representatives today!