What Can Families Expect from a Senior Living Community?

Is your loved one transitioning to senior living? Or maybe you’re wondering if a senior living community would be a good fit for a family member. If so, it’s natural to have questions about such a big move. 

Although each community is different and there will be some variability between types of communities, there are many things senior living communities should all have in common. Here’s what families can expect from a senior living community. 

The Ability to Visit

Transitioning to senior living can be stressful on both seniors and their families, even if it’s a positive move. It’s something different that requires an adjustment period. But you should rest assured that you’ll be able to visit your family member. 

Some types of senior living communities, especially memory care and long-term care communities, are likely to have visiting hours, so you’ll need to keep that in mind. Independent living communities, however, operate more like an apartment complex. 

Here at Normandy Living, for example, we encourage our residents to have visitors, and we provide space for family gatherings. We do monitor our doors and require visitors to sign in and out for safety, but our residents are welcome to have visitors in their homes. And we even have family suites that can be rented to traveling visitors! 

Lots of Services

Worrying about senior loved ones is a major source of stress. It’s common to be concerned about senior family members being isolated, falling, having trouble driving, or being able to care for themselves. Fortunately, senior living communities offer a variety of services to help your family members. 

Naturally, the exact services will vary by community. Assisted living and long-term care communities will provide medical and caregiving services, while independent living communities do not. However most communities provide meals, housekeeping, social activities, security, transportation, and maintenance. 

Learn more about the services your family member will receive at Normandy Living here.

Safety

Safety is paramount for seniors. Whether your family members are moving to independent living or transitioning to a long-term care community, you want to know that they are safe. Family members can expect senior living communities to conduct background checks on all employees to ensure their loved ones are not in danger from staff.

Furthermore, families can expect the community itself to be free from safety hazards and to include features like ramps, grab bars, and elevators that increase safety for residents with mobility challenges. Each community should also have a fire safety system and a security team that monitors the community and keeps it safe. 

Community

At their core, senior living communities should be, well, communities. They should be inviting, positive places that you feel happy to visit and where your family member is happy to live. 

Senior living communities should offer activities and amenities that help your family member make new friends and feel like a part of the community. For example, at Normandy Living, we offer meals and snacks in the main dining room, an array of social and recreational activities, and shared spaces, like our courtyard, that encourage residents to mingle. 

A senior living community can be a wonderful choice for your family member. They’ll have access to tons of services and amenities, all within a safe environment. And in many cases, seniors find that they have more freedom and a better quality of life within senior living communities because of the accessibility and social opportunities they provide. 

Are you interested in learning whether Normandy Living is right for your family? Book a tour here!