Whether you’ve been looking at senior living options for years or have only just now become curious about what living in a senior community is really like, having a list of questions is common. Here at Arbor Terrace Teaneck, we have the opportunity to work with seniors and their family members throughout their journey to senior living. We’ve probably been asked nearly every question possible and are always happy to give honest answers.
Our experts have compiled a list of commonly asked senior living questions, as well as the answers to them.
Are All Senior Living Communities the Same?
Though senior living communities can be similar in many ways, each one is ultimately unique. For example, all assisted living or memory care communities are similar in the sense that they provide care under the same New Jersey guidelines. However, each community has its own amenities, atmosphere, and personality.
How Is the Food?
Senior living communities are hardly serving food out of a cafeteria-style or hospital-style kitchen. Instead, exceptional communities hire chefs to plan and prepare food, giving residents a first-class dining experience at all meals. You won’t have to worry if you don’t like an entree; you always have a choice so that you can find something you love at every meal.
Is Senior Living Too Expensive for Me?
One of the most common senior living questions we hear is in regard to finances and budget. Fortunately, most senior living communities are quite affordable, and many no longer require large buy-in investments. Instead, residents pay a monthly fee that includes not only their spacious apartment, but also access to luxury amenities like concierge services, chef-prepared meals, and transportation.
You will be pleasantly surprised by how affordable senior living can be. Compare your current living costs with a senior living monthly fee by using our Senior Living Cost Calculator.
What Is There to Do in a Senior Living Community?
If you ask any senior living resident what their favorite part of living in a community is, many are sure to answer that it’s the socialization and the friends! There is always something new and exciting to do in a senior living community; exceptional communities have activity calendars full of lectures, art classes, exercise groups, live concerts, and trips for residents to enjoy.
At Arbor Terrace Teaneck, we encourage residents to tell us if they want to do something they don’t already see on our busy calendar; we are always up for adding a new event to our calendar!
Will I Be Able to Make Friends?
Whether you’re a social butterfly or an introvert, you’ll always find a friendly face in an exceptional senior living community. You can make new friends by saying hello in the hallway, eating with someone new at lunch, or attending a small hobby group. If you are still struggling to find someone you connect with, chat with the community staff. They can help by introducing you to new friends.
How Do I Pick a Community?
Choosing a senior living community is a personal decision, and you can make a more confident choice if you ask questions and take multiple tours of a community. Ensure that you are choosing a community that can serve your current as well as your future needs, especially if you are living with a complex or progressive medical condition. During your tours of the community, observe how the residents look and interact, both with one another and with the staff. Seeing their interactions can help you determine whether the community is friendly and welcoming.
Learn more about how to choose a senior living community by downloading our free resource, “The Journey to Senior Living.” Then, call the team at Arbor Terrace Teaneck to see exceptional senior living in action. We’d love to show you what makes our community so special!
