What to Look for in an Independent Living Community in Los Angeles
Over 750,000 of the Los Angeles population are over the age of 60 and thus considered "older adults".
If your loved one is entering their senior years and exhibiting signs of aging, it may be time to start considering an independent living community. These services can help seniors enjoy a more fruitful retirement without the stresses of daily living at home.
Finding the right senior living community is pertinent to experiencing the benefits that these communities provide. In today's post, we'll help you single out the top independent living communities in LA with a few key strategies.
There's nothing easy about transitioning into senior living and it can often be overwhelming for seniors and their loved ones. Keep reading, however, and you'll rest easy knowing your loved one is getting the best independent living in LA.
Determine Your Loved One's Needs
Before you can truly begin your search for senior living, you need to determine what your loved one's needs are. There are different types of senior living communities available for different types of seniors. Choosing the right one will greatly enhance their quality of life in senior living.
Independent Living
Los Angeles retirement homes are the most basic type of senior living. They're geared toward seniors who are relatively healthy but want a lower-maintenance lifestyle.
The communities are almost like dormitories for older adults. Residents will enjoy spending time with other seniors, enjoying amenities, and partaking in a variety of daily activities to keep them healthy and sharp.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is best for seniors who are dealing with the diverse health effects of aging. The communities have staff around 24/7 to help residents with whatever they need - getting dressed, hygiene, taking medications, etc.
While residents maintain their independence, the community takes every measure to keep them safe and secure. They'll enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of programs to prioritize their physical, cognitive, and mental health.
Memory Care
If your loved one is one of the 7 million Americans dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia, memory care is the right choice. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living to help seniors navigate the complexities of cognitive decline.
Finding Senior Communities in LA
Once you know the types of senior communities you're looking for, you can begin your search in earnest. There are many factors to consider that are unique to your loved one's situation, but there are universal ones as well. Here are a few of the things you must consider in your search:
Location
The transition into senior living in Los Angeles can be overwhelming, even when the community checks all of the boxes. You can mitigate this for your loved one and the rest of the family by choosing a nearby community.
Los Angeles is a huge city, so it's easy to find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Keeping your loved one close to home will keep things familiar and make it easy for family and friends to visit, which also eases the transition into senior care.
Reputation
One of the best ways to separate the best senior care communities from the rest is by looking at reviews. No one can tell you more about daily life in a retirement community than loved ones of current and former residents.
If there are any major red flags about a community, you'll find out in the reviews. Use these to narrow your search down to 3 to 5 of the top nearby communities and schedule tours with your loved one to take a closer look.
Staff
Always have your own list of questions and concerns when touring senior communities. Something you should never overlook, however, is staff qualifications. Depending on the type of senior community you need, the staff will be an important part of your loved one's daily life.
For that reason, you need to make sure they're qualified and compassionate enough to do the work. This is especially true when you're talking about assisted living and memory care, where staff are helping residents around the clock.
They need to be caring, patient, and equipped to help with various issues and personality types. It never hurts to speak to staff members, as well as other residents, to better understand the people looking after the seniors.
Amenities and Activities
Amenities are often an important factor in your loved one's decision. All communities have unique amenities, so your loved one's interests will determine which amenities matter to them.
The same is true of the activity calendar. Communities must have a daily activity calendar with a diverse array of exciting activities that promote health and mental wellness among residents.
For instance, seniors need 2.5 hours per week of moderate activity to maintain their physical health. Make sure that the activity calendar promotes daily exercise.
Dining
Nutrition is just as important as exercise. As people get older, however, it becomes more and more difficult to get motivated to cook healthy meals.
Find a community with an in-house restaurant that has a rotating menu of healthy meals. When seniors get the right nutrients, they can stave off things like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers.
Security
The safety and security of a community is so important for the comfort and peace of residents and their families. When you've got residents with mobility issues or cognitive problems, the need for a safe and secure environment becomes even more paramount.
Transportation
Residents should never feel trapped in their senior living community. Look for communities that offer free transportation services.
When your loved one can go out for appointments, errands, and meetings with family and friends, it enhances their sense of freedom. If need be, the community should also send staff members on these outings to keep residents safe.
Choose the Best Independent Living Community for Your Loved One
These are a few of the most important things to look for in an independent living community. This is a monumental time in your loved one's life, so the more comfortable the community is for them, the easier the transition will be.
The Watermark at Westwood Village is one of LA's top independent living communities. We offer all of the incredible perks mentioned here and so much more. If you want your loved one to enjoy a fruitful retirement, contact us today to schedule a tour of our community.