Moving to an assisted living community like LifeStream at North Phoenix is a huge life change. It's never easy to give up the home you've known for years, but senior living communities offer many benefits, including a welcoming community and included amenities. Picking the ideal community for you can feel overwhelming with so many available choices. Focusing on a few specific factors can help you evaluate and compare the options to help you find a community that feels like home, makes life easier and meets your needs.
Every senior living community has a mission and purpose along with values that support those things. For instance, here at LifeStream at North Phoenix, our mission is to create an intimate faith-based community that enriches your physical, emotional and spiritual health. Reviewing these details helps you get a sense of what you'll get from the community and if it aligns with your values and goals. Finding a community that shares similar priorities can make it feel more like home. You'll feel more supported in a senior living community that has a mission you believe in. If your walk with God is important to you, choosing a faith-based community like LifeStream at North Phoenix can give you the tools and support system to continue it.
Once you find a community that shares your values, look at the care options, housing types and amenities to ensure it provides what you need. LifeStream at North Phoenix offers garden homes that support maintenance-free, independent living for seniors. Other communities might offer additional care levels, such as assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care, for seniors who need additional support. You can also find a range of living options, from studio apartments to garden homes with two bedrooms, to accommodate your preferences.
It's also a good idea to look at the options if your care needs change as you age. While LifeStream at North Phoenix only offers independent living, we have sister communities in the area that offer additional care options, including assisted living, memory care, respite care and hospice care. This can help you feel better about your future if you need additional support on a temporary or long-term basis.
Community amenities can be an important factor when choosing where to spend your retirement years. Having access to services and on-site amenities is one of the major benefits of choosing a senior community. The services make life more enjoyable and convenient, giving you access to things like housekeeping, chaplain services and transportation right where you live. Make a list of amenities you want in your community so you can easily check to see if the living arrangements you're considering provide them.
The location of the senior living community affects how convenient it is for your lifestyle. If you're staying in the same city, consider how close each community is to your current neighborhood and the places you frequently visit, such as your family members or your church. Proximity to medical care providers can also make you feel more comfortable with a community. Check out the neighborhood around the community to ensure it's safe and has access to the things you want and need. Consider the things to do in the nearby area to make sure you'll enjoy living there.
The cost of senior living communities can vary significantly depending on the type of housing, amenities and care level. Find out the financial information for each community, and make sure you know what's included in that price. For instance, some communities might include housekeeping as part of the monthly fees. Compare the price with what you get to find an option that fits your budget without sacrificing the things you want and need.
Living in a senior community gives you a sense of security because you're surrounded by other seniors. However, it's important to look at the overall safety of the community to make sure you feel comfortable there. Look at the access to the community and what type of safety and security features are available. For example, LifeStream at North Phoenix is a gated community, which can help you feel a little more secure in your new home. The overall safety of the neighborhood where the community is located is also a factor.
Perhaps one of the best ways to evaluate a community is to visit it for yourself. You can get an idea of how the community feels and looks. Pay attention to your first impressions, but don't forget to look deeper at the details of the community. Look at how well-maintained the community is to make sure the staff takes care of the property. Notice your interactions with the staff and how they make you feel.
If you can, talk to current residents when you visit to see what they like or what they feel is missing. It can also be helpful to reach out to seniors you know to ask about where they live and if they recommend the community. Having that firsthand experience can help you decide if it's a good fit for you.
