It's estimated that people over the age of sixty-five make up 16.8% of the U.S. population. If you're part of this population you might be wondering where to spend your retirement years.
While some people want to remain in their homes, many prefer the connections that come from senior communities. Part of what's great about these communities is that they cater to a wide variety of seniors.
So what are some of these different communities? And how do you pick the best senior living community in Albany, IN? In this guide, we'll answer these questions so you can get the experiences or care you need out of a senior living community.
It's important to be familiar with which senior living community you're looking to join. The first type of communities you'll encounter are independent living communities.
This type of independent living for seniors is for people who don't require any assistance in their everyday schedules. Rather, they just want to enjoy a community of other seniors with nearby amenities.
The second type is assisted living communities. Assisted living options provide help with things known as activities of daily living (or ADLs). This might include senior care services like dressing, bathing, medication management, and cleaning/laundry.
However, people in these communities are still independent and don't require frequent medical attention. The last type you're likely to encounter is nursing homes.
This option is for seniors with chronic or acute health conditions. Because they need access to medical attention 24/7 it's important to have professional nurse care around the clock.
The first thing you want to do is ask family, friends, and acquaintances if they have any recommendations for senior living communities in the Albany area. The odds are that these individuals have some firsthand experience with communities you should consider.
At the very least, they might have some recommendations on locations you should avoid. Referrals of this sort are great because you can trust the individual giving it to you.
While things like online reviews might be helpful, you never really know the person giving them.
If your network doesn't turn up any residential care communities, you can always turn to an internet search to find options in your vicinity. Still, it's worth trying before you proceed.
You know that you want your senior living community to be located in the Albany, IN area. However, you still need to consider where it's situated in the town.
For example, if you like golfing, you likely want it to be found near a good course. Similarly, if you have family nearby you want the community to be close to them so they can visit you often.
Do you prefer the community to be close to downtown? Or would you prefer something more isolated? These are all questions you should be asking yourself when considering the location.
Your retirement years are a time to meet new people, engage with new hobbies, and just have fun. As such, you want your senior living community to offer a wide range of exciting activities.
This might include art classes that expose you to a wide variety of mediums, from painting to pottery. Some other good options include cooking classes, book clubs, gardening, music classes, and other educational opportunities.
These activities are great because they stimulate the mind which can improve cognition well into your life.
What's more, they also present an opportunity to meet people with similar interests. This is great for people who might find it challenging to introduce themselves in big group settings.
Amenities in senior living communities are an important part of enjoying your retirement. They give you things to do and areas to gather.
Popular retirement community amenities include fitness rooms, gardens, movie lounges, salon services, housekeeping services, transportation services, community outings, and more.
While touring, ask about what their amenity selection is like. Ideally, you'll also be able to see some of the residents interacting with amenities so you can get a better idea of what they're really like.
Explore the eating area in the senior living community you're visiting. Better yet, if allowed sit down and have a meal. Pay close attention to the food. Is it processed or frozen-tasting? If so, avoid the community.
You want a meal program that ticks all of the healthy eating needs for seniors. Specifically, the program should feature a wide variety of fruits, seafood, vegetables, dairy, soy, beans, peas, and lentils.
What's more, it should taste great. You want senior living communities that prioritize creating delicious food for the residents.
If you don't own a pet, then you don't need to worry about this. However, it's important to note that many senior living communities might not accept pets. As such, being able to bring your furry friends with you needs to be a key consideration.
First, you need to consider if your animal is a good fit for the community. Pets should be well-behaved, trained, and comfortable in a group setting. If you have an aggressive or loud animal, you might want to consider finding another home for them.
These types of pets can disrupt the community and even pose a threat to other residents or the staff. However, if your pet is a good fit, ask someone about the community's pet policy. That way, you know whether or not they can accommodate your animal.
We hope this guide helped you find the best senior living community in Albany, IN. Here at Bennett Place, we're all about providing you with convenience and comfort for your golden years.
Not only that, with things like worship services, cooking classes, and exercise clubs we encourage a community mindset that makes you feel like a part of something bigger.
So if you want to see what our community has to offer, schedule a tour with us today.