Finding senior care for a loved one can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. You want the best care, but navigating all your options and making decisions can feel stressful.

Here are 5 steps you can take to decrease stress and make the search for senior care a smoother process:

1. Gather Information and Involve Loved Ones:

• Knowledge is power: Research different types of senior care communities (independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities) and the level of care each provides. Understanding your options will help reduce confusion.
• Family meeting: Discuss concerns and preferences with your loved one and other family members involved in decision making. Shared decision-making creates a sense of unity and reduces the burden on one person. Read our blog post about how to make this meeting run as smoothly as possible.

2. Create a List of Needs to Narrow Down Your Search:

• List physical needs: Consider help needed for daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management).
• Mental and social needs: Think about activities, socialization opportunities, and any cognitive concerns.
• Financial considerations: Discuss budgets, insurance coverage, and potential costs of different care options.

Be honest and specific about what you absolutely need. Hold off on including any “wish list” items for now. This first list is like a roadmap – we want it to be detailed enough to guide your search without being so restrictive that it excludes great options.

3. Research and Make a List of Potential Communities:

• Utilize online resources: Many government and senior care advocacy websites offer community listings and comparisons. If you aren’t sure where to start, we have a list of useful resources available on our website.
• Consider location: Think about proximity to family and access to amenities important to your loved one.
• Narrow down the list: Based on your list of needs and research, create a short list of communities to visit.

Note: When narrowing down your list, don’t be discouraged if a community seems a little out of reach financially. Many retirement communities offer resources to help you find benefits you might qualify for, along with other cost-saving options that may not be advertised online. 4. Schedule Community Tours and Ask Questions:

• See it for yourself: With your checklist in hand (needs, future needs, and desires), schedule tours or even drop-in visits to communities that interest you. This focused approach ensures you spend your time well, getting a clear picture of each community’s offerings and how they match your priorities.
• Ask insightful questions: Prepare questions about resident care plans, activities, safety protocols, and communication policies.
• Experience the community: Many communities host events for potential residents, offering a taste of their daily life. In most cases, tours can be scheduled around these events. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the dining, activities, and most importantly, the friendly team who make the community a home.
• Trust your (and your loved one’s) gut: Pay attention to your loved one’s comfort level and your own impressions during tours. Ultimately, you are looking for a new home that they will feel comfortable and thrive in.

5. Take Breaks and Prioritize Self-Care:

Finding the perfect senior living community is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t get overwhelmed by the process! Here are some tips to keep you going strong:

• Pace Yourself: This is a big decision, so take your time to explore all your options. There’s no need to rush – you want to find the perfect fit!
• Team Up: Delegate tasks and share the research burden with other family members. Working together makes everything lighter.
• Recharge Your Batteries: Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup! Schedule time for relaxation and activities you enjoy. Taking care of yourself helps you take better care of your loved one

Bonus tip: Don’t Delay

Life may get in the way and the steps of choosing can cause people to want to press pause on the process, however this can be dangerous. Often when people begin the search for senior living it is because there is a concern, incident, or immediate need. Delays in moving into a care community may lead to poor decisions, falls, medication issues, isolation, and more. If the process feels too overwhelming, connect with the community contact for one of the communities you are leaning toward for help.

Finding senior care can feel overwhelming. The good news is there’s a wealth of resources available to support you. By following these steps and remembering to care for yourself, you can navigate this search with confidence.

Ready to begin your search? Radiant Senior Living communities provide exceptional care that caters to individual needs. Once you’re ready to explore specific communities, we encourage you to learn more about what Radiant can offer. See if one of our communities might be the perfect fit for you or your loved one!