Whether you’re looking on behalf of your elderly parents or you yourself are moving into an assisted living community, it can be difficult to find the right fit.

There are a lot of questions to answer before you can make a decision, and today we’re highlighting a few to consider.

Is wellness a priority?

The best time to move into an assisted living community is when you’re happy and healthy. Moving during a period of illness can quickly make the process much harder and more overwhelming.

Once you’ve moved, how will the team make your wellness a priority? Although you’re not unwell now, there’s no saying what’s around the corner.

Being part of an assisted living community means you’ll have help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and reminders to take your medication. But for those who are worried about emergencies or whose families want to make sure their relative is safe, what extra services should you look out for?

The best communities will have 24/7 nursing staff, around-the-clock assistance available, and an emergency call system in place. This gives you and your family peace of mind. The services don’t need to be used, but it’s nice to know they’re there if you need them.

What food is provided?

When choosing a senior living or assisted community, healthy food choices and a variety of lifestyle options are important. According to Brightview assisted living in Bethesda, you should be asking questions like ‘are there multiple menu options for each meal?’, and ‘is room service available if you don’t feel like heading into the communal space?’ Finally, if you feel you might need help making the right food choices, will staff be able to create a diet plan for you?

It’s also good to highlight any dietary requirements you have before you make a decision about which community, you’d like to live in. Some will be better equipped to deal with specific needs than others.

The team should provide fresh, locally sourced, and nutritious meals for all residents. Canteens or restaurant-style dining options are great for encouraging social interaction between residents and giving you space to build connections and make friends.

Are there lifestyle activities?

What kinds of facilities are there on site? While some residents might enjoy just staying in their own place and having guests over, others will benefit from communal spaces like a games room, gym, and gardens.

If you’re worried about making friends, what types of activities are available for you to get involved in? Your assisted living community should be providing you with an enriching lifestyle that lets you maintain your independence and social life.

Food, activities, and medical support are just three areas to research when it comes to choosing a community. To make things easier for you and your family, make a checklist of everything you want to know about each community before you head out on visits. That way, you can tick them off as you go along so that you know you’ve got all the information you need to make the right decision.