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How to Begin Searching for Assisted Living

June 28, 2019

Where you live plays an important role in your personal identity. Susan Clayton, an environmental psychologist who guides student research at the College of Wooster in Ohio, agrees. She notes that while it’s not true for everyone, home is how we identify ourselves.

That partly explains why we decorate and spruce up our home and gardens. These functions serve as both self-expression and a show of pride to the outside world.

When Where You Call Home is Assisted Living

This is all good information to know and consider as you are helping a senior family member search for an assisted living community. Remember, the home where your loved one currently resides may have been home for decades. It’s instilled with memories – in many cases a lifetime of them.

So, how does one begin searching for an assisted living community that your loved one will be proud to call home?

For many older adults, the answer lies in the word “community”.

Searching for a Senior Living Community

Here are a few tips to consider in your search.

A Sense of Community

There’s a long list of criteria you should use when searching for a good place for your loved one to call home. You can and should begin your search with checklist in hand, matching your options against the list as you search.

But knowing the fundamental basis for everything that defines an assisted living community will be far more helpful to you as you narrow your choices.

The determining factor of what makes an assisted living community a comfortable fit for your loved one is a sense of community. When the people who work there, as well as the people who live there, feel a strong sense of community, everything else can fall into place the way you need it to.

Ask About Staff Turnover

One sure-fire way to make a place not feel like home is to have a constantly-changing carousel of caregivers. If staff members are unhappy with their jobs, something may be amiss and chances are there’s not a very strong sense of community present.

That’s why making multiple visits before making a final decision is an important part of your search. Talk to staff, residents, and families and you will probably be able to tell a lot about the culture of the community.

Learn More About Staff

While we’re on the subject of staff, the staff-to-resident ratio is crucial, too. When there isn’t enough staff to help things run smoothly, it’s pretty difficult to maintain a good, strong community feeling. Overworked staff members are usually unhappy. When they’re unhappy, they probably won’t make good caregivers.

Ask What Kind of Staff They Have

Assisted living communities aren’t required to have a nurse on duty 24/7 in many states. The ones that do have a nursing team will stand out. It’s a nice benefit, and speaks to the commitment of the community to your loved one’s health. Ask what staff members are present during non-business hours, as well as during the daytime.

Sample Being Part of the Community Yourself

Eating a meal or two with residents can open up doors to conversations that will shed light on the sense of community. Ask about attending a lunch or dinner with residents so both you and your loved one can really get to the heart of the place: seniors who live there already.

Other Questions to Ask on Your Senior Living Search

Of course, there’s the business side of things, you should also ask about. Important questions to have answered include:

forms of payment the community accepts
whether they have plans in place to allow your loved one to age in place
what licenses they have
what activities they offer
whether they provide transportation to medical appointments
whether pets are allowed
whether there’s a waiting list

Visit a Five Star Senior Living Community Near You

We invite you to visit a Five Star Senior Living community near you. You’ll no doubt recognize the strong sense of community and caregiver support our residents enjoy every day when your tour.

Plan to stay for lunch or dinner when you visit so you and your senior loved one can enjoy the Five Star Signature Dining Experience firsthand!

Should You Take a Senior Loved One on an Assisted Living Tour Before You Visit It First?

As one of the nation’s leading providers of senior living, our team is often contacted by adult children for information and advice. A frequently asked question is if an adult child should visit assisted living communities alone first or if they should bring their parent along.

That’s a tough question for us to answer without learning a little more about the senior and their unique situation. When we talk with families by phone, we usually ask a few more questions to help them decide what is best.

Here are a few factors we encourage adult children to consider.

Should Adult Children Tour Assisted Living With or Without a Parent?

1. Is the senior on board with making this move?

If a parent is ready and willing to move to assisted living, they might want to be involved in all aspects of the process. They may welcome the opportunity to tour different communities, meet new people, and enjoy a tasty, chef-inspired meal at the community.

If the senior isn’t on board with this transition, it might be more advisable for family members to visit alone first. Loved ones can tour the community and decide if the culture and environment feel like a good match. Narrowing down the list to a few well-qualified communities can make it easier on a senior who isn’t excited about moving.

2. Is the older adult able to make their own decisions?

Some seniors feel a sense of pride in making this decision on their own even if you come along as their driver. Others might find the sheer number of choices and decisions paralyzing.

Think about your parent’s personality and personal situation. Does your parent become overwhelmed and anxious when making important decisions? Do they have some degree of memory loss that makes decision making more difficult? Or do they have a strong desire to make decisions on their own?

3. Does the senior have outdated stereotypes about senior housing?

It isn’t uncommon for older adults to harbor outdated ideas about what assisted living is. Misperceptions are often linked to old-fashioned nursing homes, not modern day assisted living communities. Visiting a variety of communities in person can help the senior get a true idea of the many benefits and services offered in assisted living.

How you answer these questions may help you decide whether to visit assisted living communities on your own first or with your aging parent.

Make the Most of Your Assisted Living Visit

At Five Star Senior Living, our door is always open to seniors and their families. We know that time spent visiting and touring assisted living communities helps families make an informed choice.

We invite you to schedule a personal tour and be our guest for lunch or dinner. Our chef-inspired meals showcase the best in senior living dining. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about our dining program. It’s designed to give residents more freedom and flexibility when it comes to dining!

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9 Tips for Touring An Assisted Living Community

Finding an assisted living community to meet the needs of an aging loved one requires research, legwork, and lots of discussion. It’s not a choice you can make sight unseen. You’ll want to tour potential communities before you and your loved one make a decision.

And, oftentimes, a partner or an adult child finds it easier to visit a variety of communities without their spouse or parent. Because many have an idea of what their senior family member will and won’t like, they can eliminate those they don’t think are a good fit. Then the whole party can visit the top two or three communities together later.

Whatever approach you choose, preparing ahead is the key to making the most of each tour.

How to Make the Most of Your Assisted Living Community Tour

Here are 9 tips to help you know what to ask and what to look for:

1. Discuss preferences to narrow down the choices.

Would your loved one thrive in a more luxurious community? Or would they be more comfortable in a laidback environment? What types of activities do they enjoy and want to stay involved in?

Each assisted living community has its own unique personality, and you will want to find one where your loved one will feel at home.

2. Investigate the staff-to-resident ratio.

Does the staff seem stressed and overworked? Or are they smiling and pleasant? Does the community appear to have enough staff members to care for the residents?

These are all important observations to make.

3. Watch how the staff treats the residents.

More importantly, but definitely related to the ratio of staff to residents, is how the staff treats the residents.

Try to be an unobtrusive observer to see how staff behaves when they think no one is watching.

4. Take a formal tour, but also wander the community on your own.

The formal tour will introduce you to all the services and amenities of the community. But it’s only when you walk the halls, visit the cafeteria, and peek in on classes unchaperoned that will you really see what the community is like.

After your formal tour, ask the staff member for a few minutes to wander around on your own.

5. Share a meal in the community.

Assess the quality and nutritional value of the food in the community by eating a meal in the dining room with residents. Pay attention to how the residents and staff act.

Are they friendly and welcoming? Do people seem to be enjoying socializing over their meal? Will your loved one easily make friends here?

6. Chat with the residents.

Chances are the residents in an assisted living community will be happy to have company and more than willing to chat. AARP recommends the following questions:

How long have you lived here?
Do you like living here?
What do you like to do during the day?
Is the staff attentive without being intrusive?
Are caregivers friendly?
Do you feel it’s worth the cost?

7. Ask about day trips and transportation.

Ask the staff about what services and enrichment opportunities are located in the local area from shopping to cultural arts. What sort of transportation does the community offer to take advantage of these? Does the community schedule fun day trips for residents?

8. Ask about area doctors and hospitals.

Investigate the doctors, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals that are onsite. Explore physicians and hospitals in the area, too.

Check the licensing and credentials of on-staff doctors. Are your loved one’s regular doctors nearby or will your aging loved one have to switch healthcare providers?

9. Explore the facilitates and grounds.

The physical buildings and grounds can tell you a lot about a community. Is it warm and welcoming? Is it clean and well-kept? Or are walls, doors, and floors in disrepair? Is the landscaping well maintained?

Look for wide corridors, light colors, and well-lighted hallways, which can help reduce the risk of falls.

Making the Decision

A number of factors go into selecting an assisted living community for your aging loved one. And a personal tour is an important step in making an informed choice. Find a Five Star Senior Living community near you to schedule a tour today and see what sets us apart.

Contact Us Today

"*" indicates required fields

Living option of interest*

My reason for inquiring:*

I'm inquiring for:*

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Not all living options are available at all communities. * All fields required.

Note: If you are looking for employment with Five Star Senior Living, please visit our career site.

Comments

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Creating a Budget for Senior Living

We’ve all experienced it: budgeting mistakes. One bill might not get paid while another one is paid twice. Maybe it was a one-time occurrence. That’s normal. But as our loved ones age, health issues, losses, and grief may compound distraction and contribute to poor decision making. Sometimes challenges managing finances can even be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

With empathy and kindness in mind, caregivers can help a senior loved one create a budget and keep their finances safely on track.

Caution, please!

If you’re helping to create a budget for your Mom or Dad, consider that they may perceive your efforts as a loss of their independence. So move forward with gentleness, compassion, and respect. Loved ones who are treated with dignity and diplomacy are more likely to work willingly with you as you help them with their finances.

Working with a Senior Loved One to Establish a Budget

Here’s how to create a budget for a senior loved one:

List their net income. When you are just estimating income and expenses, it may be easy to understate or overstate them. So start by making a list of all their income sources. Include social security, investments, pension, and any earnings from hobbies or other sources. From each income source, subtract any taxes or necessary deductions. Tally their final take-home pay.
List their expenses. Start with the basic fixed expenses: rent or mortgage, utilities, car payments, insurance, and so on.Then include the expenses that change each month: groceries, gas, medications or entertainment, for example. Help them read their credit card statement and checking account statement to complete the list. Watch out for sneaky expenses. Those may be one-time treat items that become a habit and begin to appear regularly on bank statements.To help create a list of possible expenses, many online tools are available. Some of the free and easy services include Mint.com, Budget pulse, and ClearCheckBook.
List their actual spending. Track daily spending when checks are written or credit cards are used. A slip of paper kept in the wallet will work, but helpful smart phone apps are available.At the end of the week, schedule about 15 minutes to help them record the expenses on their master tracking list. At that time, compare the actual spending with the expenses.
List saving sources. If necessary, work with your senior loved one to identify possible areas in which to make cutbacks. They may be entitled to a senior discount with a different cable company or get a better deal on cell service if they shop around. A little savings here and there will add up to bigger savings by the end of the year.
List their goals. Whether it is for a vacation, wedding and birthday gifts, major repairs, or additional retirement funds—life happens. It is important to plan for these events and unexpected issues. Estimate the amount of savings required each month to meet their goals. And to also prepare for anticipated caregiving costs.
List any obstacles. Let’s face it, for some people spending money fills a need. It can produce positive feelings or prevent negative ones. Some people shop for pleasure. The hunt for an item can be exciting, novel, or give a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. It can be a social activity that connects us with the community—that’s especially important for some retirees. At other times, shopping can help us avoid pain—maybe fear or loneliness. In any case, when over-spending occurs, there’s usually a negative outcome: stress, shame, or arguments.To help a parent replace the power of a habit, brainstorm to find ways to fill the real need. Is it people and community? Then schedule activities to help satisfy that real need. Is it the novelty, adventure, or a sense of accomplishment? Help your loved one find creative hobbies or alternate activities to address those needs.Finally, consider posting a note on the refrigerator to remind your Mom or Dad about their financial goals and the budget it will take to achieve them.
Seek support. Consider making a list of friends, family members, or organizations that can help you when their budget just won’t add up. For example, Debtors Anonymous offers in-person group meetings and telephone support meetings nationwide to people of any age. Our blog also has a variety of articles to help adult children discuss difficult topics, including money.

At Five Star Senior Living communities, our team can help you estimate costs for independent living or assisted living. Contact the community nearest you to schedule a tour today!

Contact Us Today

"*" indicates required fields

Living option of interest*

My reason for inquiring:*

I'm inquiring for:*

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Not all living options are available at all communities. * All fields required.

Note: If you are looking for employment with Five Star Senior Living, please visit our career site.

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for Assisted Living

The term “assisted living” is one you may have heard before, but might not understand what it means. Until they need an assisted living community for an older loved one, most people don’t spend a lot of time getting to know the senior housing industry.

That can change very quickly when an elder you love needs extra care. This is the time of year when many adult children begin the search for senior care.

The holiday visit home to see an aging parent is often the catalyst for realizing they aren’t safe or happy living alone. To help you avoid making a mistake, we’ve pulled together a few things you should know when it comes to finding a senior living community.

What to Know About Senior Living Communities

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home: The first tip is to understand an assisted living is very different than a nursing home. Sometimes the fears created by outdated nursing home stereotypes keep seniors from making a move to an assisted living community. These communities are vibrant living environments designed to help seniors age successfully. They allow older adults to maintain their independence, while still having staff close by when extra support is needed.
Good Economic Sense: Seniors and adult children often think assisted living communities are more expensive than they truly are. When you factor in how much you save on utilities, home maintenance, appliance repair, landscaping, lawn services, snow removal and food expenses, you can see how living at home — even when the mortgage is paid off — can still be expensive. When an older adult needs to hire an aide to assist with laundry, housekeeping, and transportation on top of other expenses, it becomes easier to see the value an assisted living community offers.
Communities are Regulated: A persistent myth is that assisted living communities don’t have very strong regulations in place to protect residents. In fact, they are licensed and regulated at the state level. Each state establishes its own regulations and conducts regular surveys of communities to be sure they are in compliance. Communities must make their survey results available for visitors to review. In some states you can even look the survey results up online.
Not All Equal: Don’t make the mistake of assuming you only need to visit one community because they are all alike. They are not. This is why you need to spend time visiting and touring a minimum of two or three communities before you make a decision. Investigate their commitment to senior nutrition and dining services. Explore their philosophy on aging and wellness. Get to know what makes them different and then decide if the community’s culture is a good fit for you or your senior loved one.

Our door is always open for seniors and adult children who have questions or would like to arrange a tour. We invite you to call or visit the Five Star Senior Living community nearest you for more information.

Myths that Create Fear Among Seniors Considering a Move to Assisted Living

One idea that may have crossed your mind is moving to a senior living community.

A major advantage of living in a senior living community is that you can maintain your independent lifestyle without worrying who’s going to help you if you need assistance. Another advantage is ready access to peers and activities which makes it easy to maintain a social life and stay active.

However, despite these advantages, the concept of senior living is often misunderstood. Most of the time, misconceptions are perpetuated by people who haven’t taken the time to find out what modern senior living is truly all about.

Most Popular Myths About Senior Living

To help you gain a balanced view of all your options, here’s a short list of the most popular—and the most pervasive— myths.

1. Senior Living Communities are Depressing

If your notion of senior living is based on old memories of nursing homes, then you obviously haven’t paid a visit to a senior living community lately. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Boomers have reinvented the whole notion of retirement living and senior communities. Older adults these days choose senior living because that’s where they feel they’re most able to keep up the independent lifestyle they want.

What does that lifestyle look like? It’s active, social, and offers easy access to the resources people need to stay healthy.

2. There Won’t be A Way to Feel Useful

One falsehood about senior living is that there won’t be anything to do or residents won’t find purpose. On the contrary! Today’s senior living communities are buzzing with activity, whether it’s planned activities or residents enjoying an active lifestyle through sports, exercise, clubs, hobbies, outings, mentoring, volunteering, or attending classes.

3. It’s Too Expensive

Many seniors have already paid off their mortgages, but home maintenance can still take a major bite out of the budget. There are also utilities, insurance payments, repairs, and taxes to figure into that cost, too.

If you need a little help with personal care or daily activities, those costs can add up quickly. You may be surprised to learn that the average monthly cost of homemaker services in 2016 was $3,813.

Compare those costs to the national average monthly fee for living in an assisted living community: $3,628. Keep in mind that amount covers significantly more than just a roof over your head.

Assisted living fees often cover:

well-balanced meals and healthy snacks
personal care close at hand
round-the-clock security
caregivers to help with basic activities of daily living
transportation
medical reminders
entertainment
social network with other residents
cleaning & laundry services

Some senior living communities provide even more for their residents, such as innovative wellness programs.

A New Approach to Wellness at Five Star Senior Living

Residents who live in a Five Star Senior Living community enjoy a wide variety of services and support. We provide wellness programs, upscale dining, nutrition options, and activities designed to develop mind, body, and spirit.

Through personalized service and support, each resident works toward self-fulfillment in all areas of living: physical, mental, and spiritual.

It’s called the Lifestyle360 program. Designed to enrich the lives of the people who reside in our communities, it’s one of the differentiating features of our communities.

Call us to learn more about our Lifestyle360 approach to wellness!

How Senior Living Communities Help Seniors Thrive

As we grow older, where we live plays an important role in how well we age. Companionship helps prevent isolation which in turn, can help you avoid or delay developing chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and depression.

Having easy access to social and wellness activities is also vital. Being surrounded by peers to laugh and commiserate with give purpose and meaning to the day.

What other benefits does a senior living community offer?

The list is a long one!

The Benefits of Life at a Senior Living Community

Here are just a few reasons why it might be time to consider a move:

Opportunity to socialize and make new friends: Isolation has officially been declared a health risk to seniors. In fact, researchers say it is even tied to early mortality. Senior living communities provide older adults an opportunity to meet new people and make meaningful connections.
Support to remain independent: Older adults who move to a senior living community from a private home often find it to be the best of two worlds. They are free from the burdens of home ownership —no more snow shoveling or mowing the lawn—but still have a private apartment or suite to call their own. Most communities also offer assistance with other daily tasks ranging from housekeeping to medication reminders.
Life enrichment activities: Senior living communities offer residents a wide range of activities and events to participate in every day. At Five Star communities, for example, we offer our Lifestyle360 program. Through it we help promote intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Residents can go on day trips to local destinations, attend morning devotionals, tackle a new hobby, or join in a spirited game of cards.
Transportation services: One of the most popular services offered at senior living communities is transportation. Many residents find it easier and less expensive to leave the driving to someone else. They can hang up the keys knowing they still have a way of getting where they need to go, whether it is a shopping trip to a local mall or an appointment with their dentist or doctor.
Well-balanced meals: Another task you can leave behind when you move is grocery shopping and meal preparation. While most of our residents have small kitchenettes in their apartments, they no longer need to cook if they chose not to. Our chef-inspired meals are both nutritious and delicious.
Thoughtful environment: Older adults who move from private home to an independent or assisted living community are often surprised to discover how much safer they feel. The environments are thoughtfully designed to lower the risk for a fall or other injury. No more stairs to climb. Handrails in hallways. Grab bars in the bathrooms and at the bedside. Emergency call systems throughout the community.
Peace of mind: The peace of mind that comes from moving to a senior living community is another benefit. Adult children also appreciate knowing someone is always nearby if their loved one needs assistance.

The bottom line is a senior living community does more than just provide a place for older adults to live. They promote good nutrition, physical fitness, spiritual awareness, socialization, and independence. For older adults, it all adds up to a productive, engaged lifestyle.

How Senior Living Communities Keep Adults Healthier

Staying actively engaged in the world around you during retirement is an important part of aging well. From reducing your risk of disease to lowering the odds you’ll experience depression, where you choose to spend your retirement years is important.

Research shows that isolation is a health risk for older adults. It is linked to higher rates of chronic health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, and even to early mortality.

Seniors are also at risk for leading a more sedentary lifestyle. It’s a health risk that researchers say can be as dangerous for you as smoking!

That’s where senior living communities come in.

Senior living communities provide older adults with more than just a safe environment with fewer household chores to worry about. They also help prevent isolation and loneliness, while nurturing the body, mind, and spirit.

Here are a few of the many ways retirement communities improve seniors’ health and well-being.

Time for a Move: The Benefits of Senior Living Communities

Opportunity to meet new people and make new friends
Develop a support system of peers who are experiencing similar aging-related changes and challenges
Participate in daily life enrichment opportunities that range from art classes to morning devotionals, card groups, and gardening
Chef-inspired meals that support healthy nutrition and meet seniors’ unique needs
A thoughtfully designed environment that promotes a feeling of security
Caregivers available around the clock
Emergency call systems in apartments and suites
Opportunity to join in on community outings to local destinations ranging from shopping malls to museums and movie theaters
Wellness activities to meet a variety of interests from Tai Chi and chair yoga to walking clubs and stretching
Informal gatherings and social opportunities throughout the day
Transportation services for local outings, shopping trips, and appointments
Peace of mind that comes from knowing more care and services are available should the need arise
Hassle-free living (no snow removal or lawn care anymore!) means more time for hobbies and travel
Volunteer opportunities on-campus and in the local area

Watch and Learn More about Senior Living

We know the decision to make a move during retirement can be difficult to do. Sometimes older adults want to learn more about senior living without committing to visiting a community in person just yet.

We understand. In fact, it’s the reason we created a series of video stories. They will help you learn more about Five Star. You can watch as many as you choose to hear the personal stories of our residents, their families, and our dedicated caregivers.

Then, when you are ready, call us to schedule a time for a tour. Our door is always open to new friends!

The Top 5 Best Cars For Seniors

Ever since you got your license, driving your car has been the key to maintaining an independent lifestyle. As you get older, what you want out of a car can change. Maybe you’d like to downsize from a big SUV, go green with an all-electric vehicle, or just get a car that is easier to get in and out of.
All the different options out there can seem overwhelming, but thanks to innovations within the automotive industry that promote senior-friendly amenities, there’s never been a better time to look at a new set of wheels.
From safety and comfort to performance and looks, here are our top five best cars for seniors:

Subaru Legacy

Offering a smooth ride, plenty of passenger space, and all-wheel drive, the mid size Subaru Legacy gets the job done for older drivers. This car comes with a suite of safety features such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

Optional add-ons include: turbocharged four-cylinder engine,

Prices start at $23,000

Kia Soul

Although this more affordable car seems to only advertise to a younger demographic, the Kia Soul is a surprisingly senior-friendly car. Big doors make it easy to access the chair-height seats and the visibility from the driver’s seat is terrific. As if that’s not enough, its compact size makes parallel parking a cinch.

Optional add-ons include: Heated steering wheel, ventilated seats.

Prices start at $19,000

BMW 5 Series

For those with the means that are looking for a little more luxury the BMW 5 Series is one of the best midsize sedans on the market. Wide opening doors make for easy access, large windows allow for great visibility, and multiple assistive technologies make driving a breeze.

Optional add-ons include: multiple model options including hybrid electric model, remote engine start, ceramic controls, gesture control

Prices start at $54,000

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Say goodbye to stops at the gas station with this all-electric hatchback. Despite a small size, the Bolt can fit up to four adults and there’s plenty of cargo space with foldable seats for extra room. The Bolt gives older adults a greener, downsized driving option. With up to 259 miles on a full charge, the Bolt only takes 10 hours to charge—even less if using a DC fast-charger.

Optional add-ons include: blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert.

Prices start at $31,500

Toyota Camry Hybrid

If you’re not ready to go full electric, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a great alternative, especially for those who rack up a lot of miles. The terrific gas mileage combined with a comfortable cabin and straightforward infotainment system make this a popular option for older adults.

Optional add-ons include: wood inlays and leather upholstery in other models, larger infotainment system screen, navigation, and wireless device charging, moonroof.

Prices start at $27,000

Driving Alternatives for Seniors

Even with all the bells and whistles to make you feel safer, if you’re still feeling uncomfortable getting behind the wheel, you may want to consider moving to a retirement community like Five Star Senior Living. The transportation services offered at each community will provide you with the same amount of freedom you receive from driving, but without any of the worry or car-related expenses.
It can be challenging for older adults to know when to transition to not having a license. Begin by making an honest assessment of you or your loved one’s mental and physical health. There are several ways to evaluate a senior’s ability to drive safely.
Just because an older adult is having difficulties with driving doesn’t mean their license has to be surrendered. There are several driving aids that can make driving safer and more comfortable.
It can take courage to broach the subject of surrendering a license. If you’re an adult child concerned about an older parent make sure to approach the conversation with empathy and support. Try to make the decision together and remember the most important part of the conversation is keeping drivers safe.

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Common Myths That Keep Older Adults from Moving to Senior Living

Today’s older adults have a wide variety of senior housing options to consider. There are choices tailored to meet every desire and need. But outdated or downright inaccurate myths about senior living communities still persist. These myths may cause a senior who would greatly benefit from moving to a community to avoid doing so.

In an effort to separate the facts from the myths when it comes to senior living, we are addressing a few of the most common ones.

Dispelling Common Myths About Senior Living

Myth: Senior living communities are boring places to live.

Fact: This is far from true! In addition to opportunities for informal gatherings, residents in senior living communities have a wide variety of life enrichment activities and outings to enjoy every day.

At Five Star communities, for example, residents benefit from our Lifestyle360 program. It’s designed to provide residents with activities that nurture the body, mind, and spirit. You’ll find everything from watercolor workshops to yoga and book clubs happening every day.

Myth: Senior living communities are so expensive only wealthy people can afford them.

Fact: When you factor in the personal care, services, and amenities that are usually included in the monthly fee at a senior living community, it becomes easier to see what a cost-effective solution it can be.

We encourage seniors and their families to remember that even when the mortgage is paid off, there are still many costs associated with maintaining an older adult’s home. Cable, utilities, lawn care, snow removal, insurance, property tax, maintenance, repairs, and groceries are just a few.

If a senior is having a tough time keeping up, you might also need to pay an aide to assist with housekeeping, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. The older adult may also require personal care assistance, such as help bathing and dressing.

Then there are miscellaneous expenses such as health club memberships and transportation. These may go away with a move to a senior community.

Myth: The food is awful in senior living communities.

Fact: This is another myth that needs busting! Senior living communities often have a chef who oversees their dining program. At Five Star, we are fortunate enough to have celebrity chef, Brad Miller, as a part of our team. He helps the chefs at our local communities develop meal plans that are delicious, as well as nutritious.

Have Another Question?

If you have a question we didn’t address here, give us a call at (617) 796-8387. One of our experienced team members will be happy to help!