It’s true that the internet makes researching just about anything easy, but there are pros and cons to keep in mind when researching senior living. While many websites offer legitimate information for free, others are looking to make a profit off the unwary, and still others aren’t kept up-to-date or offer unreliable information. When researching senior living online, here are tips to help make it easy and productive.
Tip #1 – Assess preferences first
Senior living communities run the gamut from one level of care, (e.g., assisted living), or offer one, two, three, or more levels of care on one campus. They also offer different services, amenities, and housing options, as well as different levels of luxury. As described in our blog, “Key Considerations When Selecting a Place for Your Senior to Call Home,” knowing what needs and preferences are most important before researching senior living communities will help define those that are the best fit.
Tip #2 – Go directly to community websites
There are an amazing number of websites dedicated to those who are researching senior living options, but the best sources are the communities themselves. To avoid getting second-hand information, a good first step is to use Google Maps to search in the chosen area(s) for communities that meet the specifications defined in the first step. Google Maps can search by zip code, city, county, or even a well-known district or neighborhood. It’s also possible to research senior living communities by name or by level of care (i.e., independent living, assisted living, or memory care).
In addition, having a map of all the options makes it easy to visualize location and compare proximity to resources like healthcare, shopping, restaurants, and arts and cultural venues. Just choose a community then click on “nearby” and type in healthcare, shopping, etc. and all those in the area will be provided.
Tip #3 – Use indirect sites with care
Sometimes it’s helpful to read the information provided on sites that help connect seniors with senior living communities but there are caveats. When researching senior living keep in mind that some sites just provide general information while others offer search platforms to find senior living communities. The need for caution is in the fine print which may require personal information or charge fees.
The payingforseniorcare.com article, “Assisted Living Referral Services: How They Work & How to Use Them,” sheds light on how some sites that are used for researching senior living work and how they make money. Using one of these sites can also result in a deluge of phone calls or emails from communities so if you aren’t open to this tactic, avoidance may be the best approach.
Tip #4 – Check out social media
There’s hardly any aspect of life that isn’t displayed on social media these days and senior living communities are no exception. Perhaps the most used is Facebook where visitors researching senior living can get an inside look at what’s going on, special events, activities, and accomplishments of staff and residents. Of special note are comments from residents and their families who often express how they feel about the community and staff which can help provide a better understanding of what to expect when living there.
Tip #5 – Read some blogs
Once a short list of communities is prepared, another good practice when researching senior living is to read some blogs from each choice. Blogs and articles help to show the community as it is so prospective residents get a feel for the lifestyle, ambiance, and quality of life. Blogs also offer a wealth of expert information that can inform a good decision, such as facts about why it’s important to socialize, the true costs of senior living versus living at home, and factors like safety and security. Each blog can help tip the scales one way or the other by showing those researching senior living what each community feels is important to residents’ well-being.
Tip #6 – A note about memory care
For those searching for a memory care community for a loved one special attention should be paid to how each community approaches care. Since many seniors in memory care struggle to express themselves or have a wide variety of needs that change often, understanding how a senior living community manages care is critical. For many families, security is essential as is personalized care provided 24/7/365. Also important are the types of activities, quality of nutrition, and overall support provided to ensure a loved one is happy and healthy. To understand how we approach memory care at The Lodge at Stephens Lake, our blog, “What Is Memory Care?,” is a great resource.
When researching senior living download our “Choosing the Right Community” guide then contact us to learn more and schedule a tour today!