Picking the right assisted living option is likely the hardest choice you and your family will ever make. When you are researching assisted living in Winston Salem, NC, how do you make sure that you are choosing the right facility? What is the best way to research Assisted Living?
We know it can be difficult knowing where to start, so we came up with a list of things you take into consideration when researching an assisted living option in Winston-Salem no matter your needs or budget.
Assisted Living Winston Salem NC: Research Tips
Tip #1: Weigh Your Options There are many different types of assisted living options out there. It would be best if you familiarize yourself with the different options. There are varying levels of care between types of assisted living facilities, and you need to determine the level of care that you will need to live a whole and fulfilling life. Here is a list of the different types of living facilities for seniors:
55+ Communities These types of facilities are great for older adults. The name 55+ community says it all. No young people or families are living in these types of facilities. 55+ apartments or neighborhoods are quiet communities since there aren’t many children around, you won’t find playgrounds or high schools. However, these communities are amenity-rich and feature recreational activities from golf courses to swimming pools. There are also great community-led groups and activities at these facilities.
Independent Living Communities Independent living communities are like permanent getaways for seniors. In an independent living facility, you have care-free Living, and all your friends are close by. Most independent living facilities have full social calendars and are the perfect place for people who can live without any additional support. Independent Living is an excellent option for you if your home has become too large to maintain, or you want care-free Living. These facilities vary in the level of services and amenities offered, so you must make a list of the amenities you prefer so you can cross-reference them to what the facility has to offer.
Assisted Living Communities Assisted living communities like Heritage Woods is the middle ground between independent Living, outlined above, and a nursing home or memory care. Assisted living facilities help you with basic needs like cleaning, dressing, laundry, and cooking. There is staff on hand to help with almost anything that you cannot do yourself. Assisted Living is an excellent option for you if you want to enjoy your life in retirement in a safe and friendly environment.
Research Tip #2: Make a list of desires non-negotiables Now that you have decided on the type of care that you need, you’ll have to narrow down your choices to three. However, how do you choose three from the thousands of senior living facilities in America? Make this process easy by creating a list of preferences and deal breakers for a property. For example, maybe you prefer suburban Living, or you need to live in a city with an average temperature of 20 degrees. Write these down and search for assisted living facilities that fit the criteria.
Take Your Lifestyle into Consideration You know the type of place you want to live in. Perhaps you want a facility with no stairs, or you don’t mind living in a 4-story walk-up. Make sure the facility you choose matches your preferences for Living, and the city matches your values and personality.
When you write down your list of preferences, you will discover the things that are important to you. If lifelong learning is part of your life, you may want to consider a facility that offers continuing education. Perhaps staying physically active is essential to you; in that case, your list will include finding a facility that provides golf or yoga.
Another lifestyle choice that needs to be taken into consideration is location. You may want to live near your hometown, or you may want to relocate to a warmer climate, or you may want to live in a city with advanced medical care. Only you can decide for yourself what the right location is for you, but if you make a list of your values, choosing allocation will be easy. If family is important to you, then you will want to live near grandchildren, and if relaxation and freedom are your top values, then living close to a beach may be for you.
Understand Your Needs As you age, your needs will change. You already know the difference twenty years can make. Just think back to when you were 45, you felt young and could take care of children, now you are looking for quiet living and a week full of social activities. The same goes for aging from 65 to 85, you may need more assistance for daily activities, or you may need to move into memory care. While you can’t predict the future, you can choose a facility that has both independent living, Assisted Living, and nursing home facilities so that you don’t have to move multiple times as you age.
Research Tip #3: Find Facilities Online Save yourself a lot of time by researching facilities online. If you are looking to relocate to another state, make sure that you do a simple google search for things like Assisted Living Winston Salem NC , or best assisted living facilities near me. Now that you have a list to grade the facilities against, you can start crossing assisted living places off your list if they don’t measure up. You can also google things like Assisted Living Facilities Near the Beach to add in your desired lifestyle choice.
Make sure to bookmark or write down your favorite places, so when you are ready for the next step, you can find them.
Research Tip #4: Reviews and Visits
Look for Reviews Once you have decided on your top three facilities, you need to look for reviews. Check online to see what other people have said about the facility. You can also reach out to your network to help you weed through your list. You should also make sure to talk to current residents so you can get a feel for what it is like to live there.
Make a Visit Make sure you take a tour of the facility before you visit. Try just showing up unannounced if the facility is close by you. That way, you can see what the facility is like in action without prior preparation. You will see what the facility is like on a day-to-day basis. Going on a tour will also allow you to meet the staff and interview residents and see the amenities.
Make sure you start your research early, so you have enough time to go on tours and conduct adequate research. If you wait too long, you may have to settle for something that isn’t perfect because you need the assisted living help.
If you’re looking for retirement communities in downtown Winston Salem, consider Heritage Woods a senior living facility that is surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers on a private road. Heritage Woods offers a feeling of peaceful seclusion, yet is in the heart of Winston-Salem, close to many conveniences. You can book a tour today or stop by whenever you have time!
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