Tips for Finding a Great Senior Apartment for Your Loved One

If you have an older loved one who is looking to downsize their living environment but isn't yet ready for assisted living, you may be considering finding them a senior apartment instead. Senior apartment living is different from assisted living in that residents have far more independence. Here are some things to consider as you assess different senior apartment complexes.

Is the Apartment Safe?

Because senior apartment complexes are targeted to those in their senior years, most of the apartments are single-story, and they include a host of different safety features and additions. Make sure that the apartments you're looking at are, in fact, single-story. This is important for preventing fall hazards on steps, so make this a priority consideration.

You should also look for security bars and similar stability features. There should be grab bars in the bathroom, including in the shower and near the toilet. You should also look for a shower seat and a shower that is constructed with low sides so that your loved one can just walk into it instead of having to step over a lip. That reduces fall hazards even further.

What Maintenance Do They Provide?

Most senior apartments provide a lot of different maintenance tasks on behalf of the residents. Look for a facility that handles the yard maintenance as well as any indoor repairs that need to be made. It is important that your loved one not have to try to address repairs themselves or call and pay for a repair service to do them. Seniors are typically on a limited budget, so ensuring that these things are included in the cost of the facility is beneficial.

Would Your Parent Have Enough Freedom & Independence?

Moving into a senior apartment can be a major adjustment for those who are used to owning their own property. If your loved one likes to garden and cook, look for an apartment complex that provides the freedom for cooking their own meals, and potentially one that has a community garden for those who love getting their hands dirty and growing things.

You should also look for a facility that encourages community events, offers outdoor barbecue and gathering areas, and other similar features. The more amenities there are that can make the apartment living more like what they experienced in their own home, the easier the transition will be for them when they move in.

The more you understand about senior apartment communities, the easier it is to see why these are a great transitional option for older family members who need more support but don't yet need an assisted living environment.


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