April 16, 2019

What to Look For in Senior Apartments

Posted by Senior Lifestyle in Expert Advice, Research.

What to Look For in Senior Apartments

Searching for a senior apartment can be, in a word, intimidating.

As you weed through a pile of shiny community brochures (which can look more or less the same), you may feel insecure about making the right decision for yourself or a loved one.

Thankfully, there are better ways to judge a senior apartment than materials from marketers and salespeople. Here are our tips for finding the perfect senior living community for you.

How to Find a Great Senior Living Community:

1. Read Reviews and Comments

The internet can be a tricky place when looking for helpful reviews.

It’s important to never take a star-rating at face value. Devote some time to reading the comments left by the reviewers on multiple review sites, as well as social media. Of course, don’t make your decision based on reviews alone.

However, if you live in an area saturated with retirement communities, reviews are a great way to whittle down the list.

Things to look for:

Generally positive reviews
Staff appreciation stories and anecdotes
Resident success stories
Positive employee feedback

2. Take a Tour

Once you’ve found your short list, it’s time to take a tour.

It’s absolutely essential that you take the time to visit communities, and it is better if you can visit multiple times. This allows you to form a well-rounded opinion of the staff, environment, food, and activities during different situations and days.

Things to look for:

Welcoming atmosphere
Lots of resident-to-resident interaction
Warm staff-to-resident interaction
Laughter and activity
Cleanliness and attention-to-detail

3. Connect with Families, Residents, and Staff

While you are at the community, take the time to connect with other residents, visiting family members, and staff.

If you’re looking for yourself, try to sit at lunch with other residents and find out their honest opinions. If you are a family member of someone looking to retire, find or ask to be connected with someone who has a loved one that is a similar age or care level as your parent or loved one. If possible, connect offsite for lunch, coffee, or a call. That way, you can be sure there will not be any reservations about telling you the whole story.

4. Get the Facts

To be an educated consumer you need to know all the facts. With senior apartments, it’s important to access any applicable state or national regulatory findings for the community.

Ask about any community-wide awards or award-winning programs available on-site. Gather information from both the community and non-biased parties, like your Area Agency on Aging, to make an informed decision about your community of choice.

What to look for:

State surveys, and specifically deficiencies
National and local recognition
Community involvement
Programmatic excellence or innovation

Avoiding a Not-So-Great Community

1. Look for Patterns

Yes, the internet is full of biased reviews.

If paid or written in the heat of the moment, they might not be an accurate representation of the community. On the other hand, they might. If you see a pattern emerging in the review or comments, don’t ignore them.

Instead, dig a little deeper. How old are the reviews? Do they have to do with a singular staff member, or the community as a whole? Educate yourself, and if you decide to visit, ask for clarification from the community about changes made to resolve the issues identified in the reviews.

2. Trust Your Instincts

Don’t let flashy sales pitches or shiny amenities distract you from your gut instincts about a community. Pay attention to the body language of the residents, the general feeling in the room, and the actions of staff not immediately interacting with you. You will know what feels right, and what doesn’t.

Asking the Right Questions

1. When in Doubt, Ask

In situations where lifestyle, safety, and care are at stake, there are no stupid or intrusive questions.

Don’t understand the pricing structure? Ask. Don’t like or understand a staff interaction with a resident? Ask. You have a right to full transparency. A good community will be patient and answer any questions you may have about the retirement community.

2. Daily Life

When considering the questions to ask, think about you or your loved one’s daily routine. Do you have any questions about meals or nutrition? What does going to bed look like? What about laundry?

It’s usually the mundane that gets inadvertently passed over for the more exciting aspects, so remember to think about normal day-to-day life.

3. The Unexpected

Not every day will be perfect. From illness and falls to actual natural disasters, make sure you understand the processes and protocols for an unexpected situation in the community.

When choosing a senior living community, it’s important to access all your resources, research multiple communities, and become an educated consumer to make the right decision.

To learn more about Senior Lifestyle’s dedication to quality, service, and innovation in senior apartments, take a look at one of our outstanding communities near you today.

April 9, 2019

The Top 7 Reasons to Retire This Year

Posted by Senior Lifestyle in Expert Advice.

The Top 7 Reasons to Retire This Year

For most of your career, retirement may have seemed impossible.

If you’re like most people, the thought of stepping away from work is bizarre. Even folks that have scrimped and saved their whole careers often feel underprepared for life’s next big chapter. Financially, emotionally, and spiritually, retirement can be a nightmare.

Despite these concerns, retirement might be sounding more realistic. It may even sound like a smarter choice than sticking it out at work.

Though there are plenty of folks that insist on retiring as late as possible, retiring sooner has some strong advantages.

Here are our top seven reasons why you should retire this year.

1. You’re All Set

Graduating to the next stage of your life can be intimidating, but in reality, you’ve been preparing your whole work life for this moment.

If you’ve run the numbers, double checked your 401k, and your financial advisor has given you a big thumbs up, don’t be afraid to make the change. In fact, if you’re in good financial standing for retirement, you’re in a minority.

A GoBankingRates study revealed 30% of people 55 and older have saved nothing for retirement. In the same survey, 26% saved less than $50,000. This means 54% of older Americans don’t have enough money to retire. If you’re in a financially cozy spot, you’re in better shape than most retirement-age Americans.

Often times, folks of retirement age have the means, but lack the motivation to move forward. Always remember that retirement is an emotional journey, just like any other large transition in life.

Talk to friends, family, and old colleagues to find out just what you are missing by not diving into retirement.

2. Improve Your Health

Stress is toxic.

According to Dr. Varnada Karriem Norwood, longterm stress can cause the following unhealthy symptoms:

Depression
Anxiety
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Heart arrhythmia
Cardiac arrest
Stroke
Obesity
Gastrointestinal problems

Though a moderate amount of stress can keep you healthy, an abundance can have dramatic effects on your health.

A life of nonstop stress at work adds up; soldiering on through your retirement years can take a serious toll on your physical and emotional health. For the sake of your own health, know when to call it quits, and enjoy some well-deserved rest.

Retirement allows people to step away from the rat race, focus on keeping active, and enjoy fulfilling activities that don’t include staying late at the office or answering emails on a Sunday morning.

3. Enjoy the Good Life and Start Living Your Dreams

Most people don’t have time to chase their dreams. Between 40 (or more) hours of work a week, managing property and assets, and family responsibilities, who has time to devote to a passion?

In retirement, you can finally start those projects you’ve always dreamed of. Whether it’s travel, leisure, hobbies, or family, the time is finally yours. Many active retirees join clubs, explore new hobbies, or take up old passions like art or theater to keep them social and immersed in their local community.

For many seniors, continuous care or Independent Living communities are an attractive option. These 65+ properties have gained traction in the last few years by providing resort-style amenities and removing the responsibility of daily chores and home maintenance that can often interfere with free time or extended travel.

4. Avoid Unforeseen Changes

You never know what is just around the corner.

Economic and political changes can devastate your investments and put your nest egg in peril. If you are planning on selling or downsizing your home, utilize the thriving real estate market to sell while prices are high. Even seemingly strong markets can abruptly dissolve with a singular “black swan” event.

If you are financially secure now, don’t wait for the bottom to drop out on the market. Talk with a financial planner and start transitioning your savings to safer investments strategies that will work for you long-term. Stop risking your hard earned money and start enjoying the fruits of your labor!

5. Spend More Time with Family and Friends

According to a new study, Americans spends an average of 37 minutes of quality time with their family per day. Americans are too busy working and hustling about to have meaningful time with their friends and families.

If you feel like you’ve spent far more time working than bonding with your loved ones, retirement may open a world of opportunities.

There is no time like the present to start giving your full attention to your spouse, children, and longtime friends. You already have a lifetime of career achievements to look back on, start devoting your time to creating more irreplaceable memories.

6. Time to Give Back or Pursue Your Passion

Retirement doesn’t mean you need to slow down. Turning the page on your career means more time for projects that fuel your passion. Take on more responsibilities at your chosen non-profit or explore volunteer opportunities to find a renewed sense of purpose.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Local Food Banks, Homeless, Women’s Shelters
Hospitals, Schools, and Elderly Care Homes
Political Activism
Humane Societies and Pet Rescue Services
Religious Service

Always wanted to make money doing something you love? Try your hand at a simple small business that inspires you each day.

Entrepreneurial Hobbies:

Woodworking
Crafting, Knitting, and Crocheting
Gardening and Farm Share Programs
Painting, Ceramics, and Sculpture
Writing and Editing

7. Value Your Time

Only today is guaranteed. You’ve achieved success and all of your work goals, and now is the time to capitalize on the time you have left, and make the most of your retirement years. You won’t ever regret taking that leap, but you may live to regret not having as many years to enjoy the benefits of retirement.

Start Your Retirement Plans Today!

So, what are you waiting for? There is nothing holding you back from realizing your dream of a vibrant retirement except yourself. Set your retirement date today!

If a worry-free lifestyle appeals to you, learn how to enjoy the good life in a Senior Lifestyle Independent Living community, and let us take care of the details

April 3, 2019

Top 10 Retirement Community Trends to Look Out For in 2019

Posted by Senior Lifestyle in Research.

Top 10 Retirement Community Trends to Look Out For in 2019

The retirement communities of today are vibrant, social spaces filled with events, excursions, and learning opportunities. It has been exciting to witness the dynamic evolution of retirement communities in the last few decades, and the new trends emerging in the next few years will not disappoint. Here are the innovative services and amenities you can look forward to entering the senior living space in 2019.

1. A Focus on Location

Whether meeting a demand for shopping, culture, fine dining, or catering to residents hoping for a relaxing setting, today’s retirement communities are aligning their services and amenities to align with their resident location desires. From beautiful resort-style properties to comforting country apartment homes and exciting urban locales, finding a retirement community to fit your tastes is getting easier each year.

2. Days Made Simpler Through Technology

Smart devices such as tablets and apps are giving residents instant access to program scheduling, activity opt-ins, and daily menus all in one place. If you are concerned about your health and safety, you can seek options for integrated wearables that track vital statistics, or can provide one-touch calls for assistance. Although many seniors are just as tech savvy as the next person, communities are focused on creating user-friendly platforms that ensure the new technology enriches the resident experience.

3. Thoughtful Design and Architecture

Environment has a tremendous impact on mood, health, and overall happiness. Retirement communities are utilizing modern architecture and design principals to make their spaces more warm, welcoming, and functional. Our staff has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort to tailoring our communities to the residents. You may be amazed at how much the details of a community’s exterior and interior can impact a resident’s experience.

Retirment communities have taken note of these trends, and have developed communities with more natural sunlight, open layouts, and green spaces for residents to enjoy. The design of apartment homes has also changed, with the focus on functionality, privacy, and personal touches that help create a home-like and safe space for each individual.

4. Access to Healthcare

Always focused on catering convenient services to their residents, communities are creating better access to the healthcare seniors often need. Many properties have implemented on-site healthcare clinics that provide routine exams and urgent care for daily health concerns. In addition, many communities offer physician visits and more accessible health care.

Podiatrists, dentists, and audiologists are common visitors at many retirement communities, along with primary care physicians. When it comes to healthcare concerns, a retirement community may be the best place to be.

5. Pet-Friendly Spaces

If you are someone who can’t imagine life without your pets, you are not alone. Although many communities are pet-friendly, some properties are going above and beyond to show their commitment to your furry companions by shaping the environment and programming to cater to your pet’s happiness. These new pet-friendly amenities include off-leash dog areas, walking trails, and daily social pet programs.

6. Sophisticated Dining

A remarkable development in retirement living is the fresh approach to dining. You’ll see less and less of the drab monotony of cafeteria-style cuisine, and more restaruant style dining options. Since an increasing amount of research indicates the importance of nutrition, more retirement communities are stepping up their dining options with retirement-style cuisine and alternative meals.

Moving away from the limiting “three-square meals” itinerary, many Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) are starting to implement bistros and cafes that serve healthy, satisfying options at any time of the day. Residents will have the convenience of an on-site snack option, making it easy to grab a bite to eat between meals or buy a pick-me-up espresso before their afternoon art class.

7. Outdoor and Boutique Fitness

For active Independent Living residents, traditional exercise programs often miss the mark. Program coordinators have taken advantage of the entrance of more youthful populations to embrace energetic, outdoor, and boutique fitness options like tai chi, yoga, and walking clubs. Depending on the location, you may be able to take advantage of hiking excursions, golf access, and tennis lessons.

8. Community Involvement and Volunteerism

Maintaining a feeling of meaning and fulfillment in your retirement years is vitally important. The cultivation of community activism and volunteer opportunities meets that need head-on. Communities have taken proactive steps to involve seniors in the broader community, create more diverse social opportunities (like dancing, gardening, happy hours, and beyond) and imbue a continued sense of purpose in their residents’ lives.

9. Trips of a Lifetime and Exciting Excursions

Many people perceive retirement as a time in their life filled with adventure and days crossing off their bucket lists.

Retirement communities have taken up the challenge of helping you maintain a sense of wonder by coordinating national and international travel opportunities throughout the year. If you would rather stay closer to home, other programs have focused on creating exciting local experiences like skydiving, kayaking, and balloon rides.

10. Personal Expression and Growth

Forward-thinking communities have implemented education and programming options that help you explore unrealized interests and untapped creative pursuits. From art centers and music lessons to college courses and book clubs, the possibilities are endless to discover new things about yourself and the world.

The senior living space is growing more exciting and adventurous each year. Senior Lifestyle is dedicated to providing these types of innovations and programs in our Independent Living communities.

For more information about the innovations in our our beautiful Independent Living communities, connect with a community near you today!

April 2, 2019

What is Supportive Living?

Posted by Senior Lifestyle in Expert Advice.

What is Supportive Living?

There are many confusing terms in senior living. Whether it’s overly-glossed names for pricing packages or the jargon surrounding personal care, it’s easy to get lost in the jumble of words. It would be natural to take supportive living as another term for assisted living, but it’s essential for you and your loved ones to understand it is a community type all its own. Learn what supportive living is and why it is such a vital resource for seniors in your Illinois communities.

Supportive Living vs. Assisted Living

While it might look like assisted living – and it might act like assisted living – supportive living is a valuable community resource that sets itself apart. Supported by the State of Illinois, supportive living communities provide personal care, daily socialization, and educational activities in a comfortable, home-like setting. However, in contrast to assisted living, these services are provided in supportive living at a reduced or subsidized cost. Also unlike in assisted living, if a resident becomes unable to pay for the care, they are not required to move from their apartment. These financial safety nets are why supportive living communities are such an asset to seniors, their families, and Illinois communities.

What’s Included in Supportive Living?

Just like other senior living options, services and amenities can vary from community to community. However, per the requirements of the State of Illinois, the minimum services in supportive living communities include:

Three meals a day
Housekeeping
Social, educational, and wellness activities
Assistance with bathing and dressing
Medication management
Scheduled transportation

(Affordable Assisted Living Coalition, 2018)

Residents enjoy private apartment homes (either one or two rooms), and depending on their chosen community may have access to recreational rooms, beauty or barber services, and relaxing outdoor spaces.

Qualifying for Supportive Living

There are different types of supportive living; including communities that care for persons living with disabilities, others that care exclusively for seniors, and some residences that care for both. Each community will have a set of guidelines for accepting applications to their community including age, financial need, and/or inability to qualify for other state or federal assistance programs. In general, talking to your local supportive living community is the best way to find out their specific qualifications.

What Supportive Living Isn’t

While supportive living can provide many important personal care services and amenities to Illinois seniors, there are other things not covered by the program. First, while services and personal care are covered through Medicaid or other financial assistance, room and board in the communities typically are still paid by the resident. The communities have a limited ability to provide medical care and do not provide skilled nursing care. Residents needing a higher level of care either before entering or during their stay will need to choose another senior care community that can meet their ongoing healthcare needs.

Finding Supportive Living Communities Near You

It’s important to understand that deciding on a supportive living community is just as critical a decision as choosing an assisted living. Not all supportive living communities are created equal. Some may have better additional amenities or more experienced staff. It is up to each resident or family member to do their research and find out which community is the right fit for themselves or their loved one!

The Affordable Assisted Living Coalition has a lot of great resources to help you understand and choose the right supportive living community. Senior Lifestyle is proud to have many affordable senior living options and supportive living communities here in Illinois. Our communities are always ready to answer any questions you have about your ability to qualify and would love to take you on a tour to show you what our affordable communities have to offer!

Understanding all the options available to you in your search for senior living is important; as supportive living communities are just one piece of a complex puzzle. Find out more about other senior living options from Senior Lifestyle here.