Making the Move to Assisted Living in Aurora, CO
Nearly 14% of Colorado's population is over the age of 65.
If your loved one falls into this demographic, you may need to consider finding them a senior living community. Many seniors are hesitant, if not fearful, of making this move, but they'll quickly see that it's beneficial for them, as well as their loved ones.
So, how do you tackle a transition like this with ease?
In today's post, we'll help you move to assisted living in Aurora CO with a quick guide. There are many senior services in Aurora, so we'll help you choose the right one for your loved one's needs, and then give you some advice for approaching the move and packing tips for seniors to make it as smooth as it can be.
Keep reading and help your loved one embrace the change that'll bring them into their golden years.
Pick the Right Type of Care
There are a few types of senior care. To make a smooth transition into senior living, you must match your loved one's needs with the type of care on offer.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are best for healthy seniors who want to downsize and enjoy a fruitful social life. Your loved one will have a room with all of the necessary amenities in a larger community with plenty of common areas and activity programming, allowing them to stay fit, eat healthy, and socialize with peers.
Assisted Living
Seniors who have trouble with their health will require the extra help that assisted living communities provide. While these communities still allow complete freedom, residents receive 24/7 care from qualified workers and housekeeping staff.
Memory Care
Memory care is reserved for those with Alzheimer's and dementia, which affects over 90,000 people in Colorado. Residents of memory care will receive tailored care plans to help them navigate the unique challenges they face. As with assisted living, memory care staff work around the clock to ensure residents are safe, comfortable, and happy.
Find the Best Seniors Services in Aurora
Choosing the right type of care is an important first step. When you start your search, use the following criteria to find senior services in Aurora that your loved one will be comfortable living in.
Look at Reviews
Reviews can tell you so much about the experience of a community's current and past residents. If there are any major issues about the quality of care or how staff treat residents, you'll find out from the reviews. Use them to narrow your search down to only the most reputable communities.
Choose a Good Location
Location plays an important role in the transition into senior care. If your loved one is feeling sheepish about the change, choosing a community that's central to friends and family will help immensely.
When there's a steady stream of visitors, especially in the first few weeks and months, it can mitigate the feelings of confusion that come with big changes. Pick a few communities in great locations and schedule in-person tours.
Look at Amenities and Accommodations
When touring communities, there's a lot to think about. First on your list should be the accommodations your loved one will live in and the community-wide amenities on offer.
Great communities will provide several floor plans to choose from. Having options lets you stay within your budget while ensuring your loved one is as comfortable as possible.
A community's amenities tell you how they value residents. Every community offers something a bit different, however, so make sure your loved one is excited about the amenities, whether it's an in-house gym or an entertainment room.
Look at the Activity Calendar
A community's activity calendar tells you if they prioritize the health and wellness of residents. Seniors need lots of exercise each day to help avoid health problems and deal with existing ones.
At the same time, they need to engage their minds and socialize with their peers. An activity calendar should have a range of activities each day that give residents a chance to achieve their health and socialization goals.
Sample the Dining Menu
Nutrition is the other important aspect of senior health. Good communities understand that seniors need to eat a balanced diet to help avoid things like unnecessary weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.
Not all seniors can or want to cook. The in-house restaurant should have them covered, with multiple healthy and tasty meals per day.
Tips for Moving Into an Aurora Senior Living Community
Once you've found the ideal community for your loved one, you'll be ready to start making the move. There's no perfect way to make this transition, but here are a few crucial tips to consider when moving your loved one into an Aurora senior care community.
Gradual Senior Downsizing
You can lessen the shock of the move by helping your loved one downsize gradually. Get rid of things here and there that they don't need and put the rest into storage. A senior living apartment is much smaller than a single-family home, so you won't be able to take everything.
Take Care of Address Changes
Make sure to help your loved one change their address with their bank, doctor's office, dentist, and any other important services. Notify any distant friends and family of the move so they can send care packages or pay for visits as well.
Enlist Familiar Helpers
On their moving day, enlist a moving crew of the closest people to your loved one. It can be overwhelming, but having their favorite people around will make the day special.
Get the Best Assisted Living in Aurora CO
Now that you're ready to move your loved one into senior care, it's time to find the best assisted living in Aurora CO. St. Andrew's Village offers resort-style independent and assisted living services that can care for your loved one the right way.
We've got all of the amenities, activities, and dining they could ever need, right in the heart of beautiful Aurora. To book a tour of our community with your loved one, don't hesitate to contact us today.