Athens is consistently listed among the top places to retire in Georgia, thanks to its blend of history, culture, and character. But for those searching for senior living in Athens, the city’s popularity among retirees can make it hard to determine where, exactly, to start the search.
Like the artwork featured at the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens, senior living is something everyone sees differently. Different perspectives, preferences, and philosophies shape individual senior living needs—and that’s a great place to start your search.
1. Does the Community Have Flexibility to Meet Individual Needs?
The right senior living option for you will be able to meet your needs both today and in the future. Finding a community that offers flexible care plans, ranging from minimal assistance to comprehensive care, will help achieve that goal.
Assisted living communities like Arbor Terrace of Athens offer different levels of care and help manage assisted living costs while promoting safety and independence. Most importantly, residents don’t have to worry about making a disruptive move to a new community if their daily care needs change.
2. Does the Community Offer Memory Care?
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia increases with age. In 2016, about 11 percent of people older than 65 had Alzheimer’s disease, while 32 percent of people older than 85 had Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association reports.
Memory care provides 24-hour support to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Individual care programs, access to memory care specialists, nutritional programs designed for seniors with dementia, and counseling and support are just a few of the benefits.
Even if you or your loved one doesn’t currently need memory care, finding a senior living community that enables residents to transition into memory care will provide peace of mind. Again, it’ll ensure that care needs can be seamlessly met without a disruptive move to a new community.
3. Does the Community Sound Like Fun?
Senior living is tailored to help its residents remain independent, active, and engaged with their neighbors—and that’s not by mistake. Having fun, staying active, and trying new things have actually been proven to help seniors live healthier and happier lives.
During your search for senior living in Athens, consider what types of activities, outings, and community events sound like fun to you. Yoga classes, guided meditation, social hours, cards and games, drum circles, and sing-alongs are just a few activities you might find at senior living in Athens.
It’s also important to bring your own interests into community activities. You could organize a walking club that visits local favorites like Sandy Creek Nature Center, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, or Bear Hollow Zoo. Or, if you wanted to stay closer to home, you could start a garden club or a knitting circle.
Charting a Course: Your Search for Senior Living in Athens, GA
The first step in searching for senior living in Athens should be to define your or your loved one’s current needs and to consider future needs. Finding a community that offers the right level of support will promote independence and help manage costs. Communities that offer memory care will ensure that needs are met today and in the future. Also, consider how you or a loved one would engage with and contribute to social activities and planned events. Finally, visiting senior living communities will give you an opportunity to see if it truly feels like home.
