Choosing the right senior living community for you or a loved one is similar to finding the perfect apartment. You want to make sure it’s in the right location, comes with all the necessary amenities, and ideally, includes a built-in community of friendly neighbors. Mount Laurel Township is a great place to look for top-notch senior living because of its small-town feel, plentiful parks, and close proximity to dynamic cities along the East Coast. In order to narrow down your options, here are a few important things to consider in your search for senior living in Mount Laurel, New Jersey:
Location and Size Matter
Location is always going to be a priority when deciding on a place to live, but it’s especially crucial when it comes to senior living. You want to make sure you’re in close proximity to your loved ones while having easy access to any cities or establishments you like to frequent. The New Jersey Turnpike runs right through Mount Laurel, making it easy to escape to a variety of locations along the coast for a weekend trip or family gathering. And if you no longer drive, the Greyhound bus station offers affordable rides to most nearby cities.
As for the size of the senior living community, perhaps the most important question to ask is what the staff-to-resident ratio is for each place you’re considering. The living experience could vary dramatically between a community with a modest staff and one with plenty of experienced personnel on hand. The number of residents within the community can also have an impact on the feel of the place because smaller communities often feel more personalized than larger ones.
Available Services Vary Widely
Among the first things to consider when choosing a senior living community is what level of care you or your loved one requires. The options range from independent living, which is ideal for those who are able to take care of themselves but would prefer someone else doing the cooking and cleaning — to assisted living, which is perfect for those who need assistance with a few daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, or taking medications — to skilled nursing care, which may be the right option for anyone who requires round-the-clock care.
It’s also important to consider whether the community provides dementia care, which is specialized care for adults with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of age-related dementia. If you or a loved one requires dementia care, you should choose a community that provides those services. And if you foresee your situation changing as you age, you may want to consider a community that provides a full continuum of senior care so that you can easily transition to a more comprehensive program without the inconvenience of moving.
Visit Your Top Picks to Ensure a Perfect Fit
Basing your decision solely on internet research is like buying a home sight unseen. The best way to tell if a community is right for you is to visit and meet with its current residents. While you’re there, be sure to try the food (a crucial element to quality of life) and inquire about activities and events run by the community to make sure you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite hobbies. Mount Laurel is a vibrant community with plenty of events going on year-round, so there’s no excuse for an empty event calendar.
With so many things to consider, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed in your quest for the ideal senior living community. If you would like additional guidance, check out our guide to Finding a Safe and Comfortable Senior Living Community.
