Certain factors when considering a move can make or break your experience. Whether downsizing to a smaller home or deciding to move into a seniors’ residence, be sure you have examined all the angles of such a decision.
Here are some ideas to think about as you explore a new and fulfilling way of life in housing for people 55+.
Cost is the biggest consideration for most people. Your needs plus your desires will determine how much you will spend.
Tour several residences before deciding. Talk to the residents as well as the staff. Taste the food and notice ‘the vibe’ of the place. Will you feel comfortable in this location?
“Our emotions play an important role in our decision-making process,” says Judy McMullen, Interim Executive Director of the non-profit residence, The Glenshiel in Victoria, “and it’s important to recognize that.”
Consider how you can continue to live a good quality lifestyle. McMullen explains that moving into senior living does not mean you can no longer look after yourself. What it does mean is that you are alleviating a lot of the pressure of running your own home. Allowing others to do that work, you can live more fully, both mentally and physically.
Many people don’t want to move away from family and friends and if you don’t want to give up your current activities, keep that in mind when you choose a location. When people put off moving until they need assisted living, they may miss a good opportunity to increase their enjoyment of life.
Maureen Fakaro, Community Relations Manager of Verve Gilmore Gardens in Richmond, talks about the responsiveness and creativity of the staff in meeting the needs of the current residents and not just doing things the way things have always been done.
“It’s important,” she says, “to have a team that is skillful in assessing the needs of those who are living in the residence. It is about finding the right place that respects the individual’s uniqueness.”
At both, Verve Gilmore Gardens and The Glenshiel, monthly activities are created by suggestions and popularity of the programs. When a new person moves into the residence, they are paired with a veteran resident who can show them “the ropes.”
Some people choose to get highly involved in the activities while others prefer to have the peace and quiet of their own suite. Both lifestyles are possible in the same building.
The culture of the residence and the food that is served are important to some people and should be explored. Can you find your favourite items on the monthly menu? Are the activities offered of interest? Is it close to other facilities (such as the community pool or cultural centre) that you enjoy?
The types of people who choose to live in residential settings also vary according to one’s desire for connection to others. Some people like having interactions with folks who are of the same era: the slang they used, the music they loved as teenagers, their growing up experiences. Some, whose first language is not English, want to live in a residence with others whose language and customs may be like theirs. For some, when a partner has died, it creates a gap in their life that living in community can fill.
When couples look for a seniors’ residence, one of the questions to ask is “what happens if my partner gets sick?” Does this residence support them as they continue to live together, one independent and one with extra care?
Consider, ‘what if my chronic illness gets worse, or I develop a disease for which I need more care?’ There are residences that have a choice of living options. They offer levels of care, like assisted living and complex care as well as independent living. Whether you are a couple or single, there are options.
For those who are concerned about their health, there are choices of seniors’ residences that allow for independent people to enjoy life on one floor while other floors have other levels of care. As Bev, aged 70, says, “I’ve moved enough in my life, I’m looking for my next move to be my last one.”
Enjoy the free lunch while you are looking!
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Laurie Mueller, M.Ed is retired and living in Victoria with her husband, Helmuth. She recently published The Ultimate Guide on What to Do When Someone You Love Dies, available on Amazon. More about Laurie can be found at www.lauriemconsulting.com or on Facebook.
Does B.C. have gov run seniors homes? Can you give any guidelines on costs to expect on any residence ?
There are a number of extended care facilities run by the government that offer residential/complex care. You need to be assessed by a doctor and a case worker to gain admission. Some privately run senior residences have suites that qualify for subsidized government funding if you meet the financial criteria. Again, you need to go through your doctor and a case worker to apply and be assessed. The case worker assessment is done through a regional Health Authority by the Home and Community Care office. Contact one of the 5 Health Authorities in BC. They can refer you to the nearest intake office.
Thank you for replying to my message. I know now how to start the process.