Looking for a new apartment at any time in your life can be challenging, but it can be even more challenging when you’re looking for a senior living community. Senior living communities are often so different from what everyone is used to, and it can be hard sometimes to make the distinction between a “good” community and a “not so good” one.
What you have to remember is that looking for a senior living community is just like searching for a new home or apartment. You have to consider everything when you’re getting ready to make that transition and really take your time to figure out what is best for you and your needs. Whether it be our Madison Heights senior apartments here at Reserve at Redrun or somewhere else closer to home, making the right decision is vital for your happiness.
If you’re feeling stuck on where to even begin searching, you’re in luck. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1.) Do your research.
It’s time to bust out your computer or phone and start Googling. Google can be your best friend when looking for a senior community, and it’s worth it to take the time to find all of the information that you can receive for free about places as long as you look.
Take a look at the community’s website that you’re looking to apply to. Does it have a lot of pictures posted? Do they have a lot of information available within easy access? Do they post contact information for you to be able to easily send in information requests? Giving easy access to information and being open and honest about their community is a definite green flag for somewhere you’re looking to apply.
Plus, it’s worth it to take the time to read the reviews. Does the apartment community you’re looking at have a lot of positive reviews? Are there comments from residents and family members? Are these reviews anecdotes about the community, or are they all general wording? Be sure to check!
2.) Accept the tour and ask lots of questions.
When you’re looking at a new place to live, always accept the tour! Though many places offer virtual tours due to COVID, there’s nothing quite like being able to walk through the place yourself to get the real pictures, as there’s a lot of space and information that can be concealed by virtual tours. Don’t be afraid to request an in-person tour and take a look at the unit that you specifically want.
Plus, come prepared with questions. No question is too big or too small when you’re searching for what you hope to become your new home. Don’t worry about being annoying, either! There’s no way that your landlord hasn’t had questions about the trash pickup, or the activities calendar, or housekeeping, or anything else from the other residents at some point. If you’re going to be paying to live there, you ask whatever you need to in order to feel comfortable about your decision.
3.) Check out the activities calendar.
Our Madison Heights senior apartments always have a packed full activities calendar, but that’s not always going to be the case everywhere you go. Some senior apartment centers and retirement homes will only offer their residents the bare minimum – BINGO, anyone? However, there are other centers that really go above and beyond the call of duty to try and make their residents’ stay there as exciting as it can possibly be.
Take a look at your prospective apartments’ calendars. What kind of activities do they offer? Do they have enrichment opportunities like art or cooking classes, or do they offer the more “traditional” route of what you think of when you think “senior apartment”?
Whatever it is that you’re looking for in a senior apartment, make sure that the one you choose is one that will give you exactly what you want out of life. If you want to relax, play BINGO, and do arts and crafts, then that’s what you should be looking for. However, if you want something that will give you different classes, experiences, and some of the same things that you did living in your own home, then you should try to find the best senior apartment center that will be able to cater to that for you.
4.) Consult with your friends and family.
There is no better resource for you to speak with about your move than your friends and family. They know you, your lifestyle, and what you like and dislike better than anyone else.
If you’re waffling between a couple different retirement communities, gather some information about them and present it to your friends and family. You might even be able to make it fun, like making some kind of PowerPoint presentation, or even invite them to attend the tours with you! They might notice things that didn’t stick out to you at first, both good and bad. After all, it’s so important to find somewhere that your friends and family are going to feel safe sending you to!
Finding Your Home at Reserve at Redrun
Here at our Madison Heights senior apartments, we only want what’s best for you and your loved ones. We want Reserve at Redrun to feel safe, secure, and just like home, because that’s what we want to be for you. No one should have to feel like they’re walking through a minefield when they’re simply trying to find a place to call home.
We are proud to offer a host of fun activities for you to attend, like yoga, tai chi, and other wellness classes, but it doesn’t end there. We offer so much more like specialized classes, live entertainment, and even wine tastings! Just because you’re moving into a senior apartment center doesn’t mean that you can’t still have fun!
If you’re interested in taking a look at our senior apartments and all that our services have to offer, contact us today!
