Does One Size Fit All?

Not when it comes to senior living.

Here are the answers to the questions most asked of Susan Neville and Amber Lakin, our local senior living experts at Silver Lexington.

WHAT IS THE BEST COMMUNITY?

We get this question often. The fact is there are a lot of great senior living communities. Our goal is to help the families we are working with find the most appropriate community based on care level, price, social activities, and what pertains specifically to their situation. The best choice is the community that checks off the most boxes that relate to that individual.

I HAVE A FRIEND AT A COMMUNITY, AND THEY LOVE IT, CAN WE LOOK AT THAT ONE?

So often we get calls from people saying, “I know someone at this community, and they love it.” While that is positive information, it doesn’t mean it will be the right community for their situation. They may have different care needs, budget concerns, and other social interests. It is important for them to look at their own situation and base their decision on individual personal factors and not what someone recommended without knowing the details.

WHEN SHOULD I START LOOKING AT SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES?

Good timing, having a plan together, and the approach one takes when starting the conversation about senior living is so important. There are a lot of variables to factor in when this question comes up, including memory loss that affects daily life. The fact is, it’s never too soon to have a plan. It is better to have a plan and not need it, than to need a plan and not have one. Loved ones could be just a fall away from drastically changing their lifestyle.

I PROMISED MY LOVED ONE 1 WOULD “NEVER PUT THEM IN A HOME.”

This is understandable, but the community options available are vastly different than they were twenty years ago; not every community is the “nursing home” of the past. Senior living and memory care communities offer more apartment-style living with added services such as weekly housekeeping, transportation, social activities, maintenance-free living, and some also have restaurant style dining. During 2020 with covid, we learned being isolated at home affects seniors much more than previously known. This has prompted more families to consider senior living than ever before.

HOW DOES SILVER LEXINGTON HELP FAMILIES?

Leaning on local experts like us can be very beneficial because individuals can use our knowledge and years of experience to guide them towards the most appropriate community. We sit down with families and go through the available care levels including state regulations. We will figure out what works with their budget and check off the most boxes for now and in the future. Providing families with ample information will help them make the best decision for their loved one. Our goal is to inform families on options in town that will best fit their care needs, location, budget, social tendencies, personality, and so much more.