Aging presents a new set of concerns: the desire for independence even when the body doesn’t cooperate; a need for adventure and new relationships while living within the realities of a fixed income. And for many families, these challenges can trigger significant conflict. Senior living in Columbia, Maryland, can address all a senior’s retirement needs, without compromising their goals for the future or exceeding their budget. The right community can even minimize caregiver stress and family conflict by ensuring a senior gets the support they need.
Here’s what you need to know as you compare your options.
Where to Find Senior Living
The people who know your loved one best may be a fount of useful knowledge as you begin your search for senior living. Try asking friends, family, doctors, and other people you trust for recommendations, especially if they have a loved one happily living in a senior community.
Your local senior center may also be able to help. Several senior centers in Howard County host activities and meetups where you can network with other seniors and ask questions about senior living. The Office on Aging and Independence also maintains a list of senior living options and publishes guides and tips for choosing the right community for your needs.
Deciding What Matters Most
What is your loved one most passionate about? What does their ideal life look like in a year? Five years? Ten? What are your biggest concerns about their safety and happiness? Investing in senior living is an investment in your loved one’s well-being, so spend some time thinking about what they need most. Some questions to ask yourself include:
- What’s the ideal location? Columbia is centrally located and is a suburb of both Baltimore and Washington. This makes it an excellent option for many seniors, with plenty of options for entertaining visitors. The Maryland Symphony Orchestra offers great opportunities for family outings.
- Does your loved one have any unique medical needs or chronic conditions? Seniors with dementia and other chronic illnesses may want to consider senior living communities that offer a continuum of care.
- Will your loved one have easy access to exceptional care? As your loved one ages, preventative care and access to specialists become key to long-term health. Columbia is near Johns Hopkins Hospital, which U.S. News lists as the third best hospital in the nation.
- What amenities are most important to you? Does your loved one need transportation to local activities? Do they crave lush gardens? Do they want space to spread out? Which activities are most important to them? What about the food? List your five most important amenities and only consider communities that offer them.
- What level of care does your loved one need? Independent, healthy seniors may only be interested in independent living communities. But if your loved one’s needs change, they may not want to move. So consider a community that offers a continuum of care, including assisted living and memory care.
- What kind of support is most important to your family? Many senior living communities offer family caregiver support groups, family-friendly events, and other family support services.
Narrowing Your Options
When you have a list of communities and an idea of what matters most, it’s time to begin narrowing your options. Try reading each community’s website or Facebook page to get a feel for the community culture. Is there an upcoming event you can attend? Does the community seem welcoming?
Next, call to schedule a visit. Pay close attention to how the person who answers the phone treats you. First impressions matter, and this first conversation should leave you feeling valued and excited. The best communities will suggest a range of times to visit and activities you might like.
Visiting Communities
The final step before making your decision is to visit each community on your final list. Encourage your loved one to ask questions and share their opinions. This decision is ultimately theirs, so listen to and support their goals.
Plan your visit for an active time of day, such as during lunch or a community event. This ensures you have time to talk to residents, observe how community members interact, and picture your loved one living in this community.
Spend some time chatting up staff. The best staff will listen to you and learn about your loved one’s needs, take time to answer questions, and be eager to show you around. No question is too odd, too detailed, or too pointed. Your loved one deserves a retirement they love, so ask away. Excellent communities love answering questions because they love showcasing what they offer.
No two seniors have exactly the same needs. So choose a community that treats seniors as the individuals they are, offering a rich variety of activities and plenty of support for evolving needs. The Arbor Company has proudly served seniors in Maryland and across the nation for three decades. We can help you evaluate your options, and we’re happy to educate you about the process of choosing a senior living community. To explore our senior living options, check out our free guide, “The Journey to Senior Living.”
This blog was updated in December 2020.
