There are subtle signs when a senior living community is the right fit. Whether you’re on an early fact-finding mission or are actively looking, here are five things to consider when touring.
1. Pay attention to how you are greeted.
Notice if the person showing you around is curious about your needs and personality, not just walking through a script.
A good tour focuses on understanding your daily life, what prompted your search, and whether you’re planning proactively or responding to a crisis. Your time together should be tailored to your needs and interests.
2. Look beyond the apartment or the physical space.
When you’re downsizing to an apartment from a single-family home, the floor plan can feel like the most important thing. But community is often the biggest differentiator. These are the people you’ll interact with every day.
Do residents seem engaged and content? Do staff members greet residents by name? How much genuine interaction do you observe?
Lifespark communities pride themselves on being a place to grow, not a place to go. Aging is a team sport and one interesting opportunity at Lifespark is the The Spark Performance League, a first-of-its-kind senior sports league that includes competitions against other Lifespark community teams. Residents play a variety of roles to contribute to their local teams.
3. Consider what you need today, and tomorrow.
Moving while you still have the capacity to make decisions is ideal. In a crisis, limited availability or a new diagnosis can restrict your options.
Will the community support your lifestyle and independence right now? Do they offer additional services you may want later in life – such as on-site medical care including physical therapy and urgent care. This will ensure your move works for the long term.
Lifespark Medical Group offers in-home services such as primary care and urgent response to keep you thriving right where you want to be.
4. Ask what to expect in the first 30 days.
The first month is crucial for making connections and getting acclimated. Ask how the staff supports this transition. How do they introduce you to other residents? Do the activities they offer match your interests?
Lifespark’s Welcome Home New Resident program captures each resident’s likes, dislikes, and hobbies. This helps to personalize activity calendars rather than serve up generic programming. Within 30 days of moving in, each resident also receives a visit from a chaplain to assess spiritual needs.
5. Explore ways to test it out.
Sometimes you don’t know until you try. Do you know someone who already lives there? Can you stop in for lunch? Can you talk with a current resident about their experience?
Some communities offer respite opportunities to try out a community. You can inquire about options to try out a community on a day-by-day or week-by-week basis.
Are you a family member or caregiver?
As an important supporter in this decision, you can help by looking for these signs during tours. Even when decisions feel hard, walking alongside your loved one often leads to clarity and confidence.
Get started on your fact-finding mission by finding a Lifespark location near you: https://lifespark.com/our-locations/.
