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Families facing a senior living search for a loved one for the first time may feel lost and confused about how to locate resources that could help. The good news? You don’t have to travel this road alone. There are many sources of information and professionals who can provide valuable guidance and support. Below is a detailed guide that can help.

Trusted advisors for your senior living search

• Social workers: Social workers specializing in geriatrics are knowledgeable about the challenges seniors face and the resources available to them. They can offer counseling on senior living options, navigate healthcare needs and provide emotional support to families. They can be found through local hospitals, social service agencies or senior centers.
• Geriatric care managers / aging life care professionals: These experts offer a holistic approach to care planning and coordination. They assess the needs of older adults, identify living arrangement options and help manage care transitions. They can also connect families with necessary services.
• Senior move managers: Specializing in assisting families with their senior living search, senior move managers handle the logistics of moving to a senior living community. Their services include sorting through belongings, planning the move and setting up the new residence.
• Family members, friends and neighbors: Often overlooked, these individuals can provide insightful advice based on their own personal experiences with senior living communities. They can offer firsthand accounts, recommend communities and provide emotional support during the decision-making process.
• Your physician: A trusted family doctor or specialist can provide medical advice regarding the level of care your loved one may need. For your senior living search, they can also suggest communities known for excellent healthcare services or specialized care for specific health conditions.
• Attorneys: An elder law lawyer can offer advice on legal and financial planning for long-term care, including estate planning, advance directives and Medicaid planning.
• Financial planners: Financial advisors can help families understand the costs associated with senior living and how to manage these expenses through investments, insurance and other financial products.
• Spiritual leaders: For those who seek guidance in line with their faith or spiritual beliefs, spiritual leaders can offer counsel, support and possibly recommend faith-based senior living communities.

Download our complimentary guide, Choosing the Right Community.

Help with your senior living search – at a senior living community

A senior living community can provide a wealth of information about many factors of finding the right solution or practical matters of a senior living search. Consider the following:

• Admissions counselors: These professionals provide detailed information about their community’s services, amenities, costs and admission process. They can arrange tours, introduce families to staff and residents and answer questions about daily living in the community.
• Resident and family testimonials: Speaking with current residents and their families can offer invaluable insights into the community’s atmosphere, quality of care and resident satisfaction.
• On-site visits and trial stays: Many communities offer the opportunity for prospective residents to visit or even stay for a short period. This experience can help families and their loved ones gauge how well the community might fit.
• Wellness programs and healthcare services: Understanding the scope of on-site health and wellness services can be crucial. These services ensure that residents receive comprehensive care tailored to their changing needs.
• Community events and activities: Participation in social events and activities can provide a sense of the community’s social environment and how it encourages engagement and friendships among residents.

Additional resources for your senior living search

• Professional associations and organizations: Many of the professionals listed above are affiliated with national organizations that offer directories to help families find local services.
• Local community resources: Senior centers, community health organizations and local government agencies often provide referrals to social workers, legal aid and financial counseling services for older adults and their families.
• Online platforms and forums: Websites dedicated to eldercare, senior living and aging can offer a wealth of information, reviews and forums where families can seek advice and share experiences.

Tips for maintaining a positive outlook on your senior living search

Families navigating the search for the right senior living community for their loved ones learn that tapping into a network of resources and professionals can greatly help in making the best decision.

By engaging with social workers, aging life care professionals, move managers, trusted advisors and leveraging the resources within assisted living communities, families can feel more confident that their loved one’s next chapter will be filled with quality care and life-affirming opportunities.

Discover life at a Northbridge community

If you’re considering senior living for yourself or a family member, we hope you’ll visit one of our communities. You’ll find a maintenance-free, activity-filled and engaging lifestyle to help support your wellness goals.

You’ll also discover many benefits in a Northbridge Senior Living community, including our Signature Program S.T.A.R. Club (Sharp Thinking, Active Residents) – which offers our residents several activities to participate in with others, including:

• Daily exercise group
• Walking club
• Tai Chi & yoga
• Nutritional classes
• Library and book club
• Museum outings
• Artists in residence program
• Multi-generational music
• Genealogy Generations

We’re here to answer any of your questions. Please contact us if we can provide further information or if you would like to schedule a personalized tour. Download our complimentary guide, Choosing the Right Community.