Where to Start Your Senior Living Journey

It's never too early to start exploring senior living as an option for your retirement. In fact, the sooner you begin community life, the sooner you can begin reaping the rewards.

What are the benefits of senior living?

When you age at home, you risk aging alone. In senior living communities, on the other hand, older adults discover a place where they can truly thrive, with opportunities to meet physical wellness goals, pursue personal development, and build meaningful relationships with friendly neighbors who are always up for a chat or a stroll.

One thing is certain: The opportunities available to you make overall wellness easier and more fun. As a resident, you can find new ways to pursue your passions and live a life among neighbors who become true friends.

When is the best time to move to a senior living community?

It's never too early to move to a senior living community. In fact, it’s better to choose a community you love long before an unforeseen circumstance forces you to make a decision. The first page of your next chapter starts here.

With a variety of senior living options to choose from, you may wonder where to begin. In this section, we'll outline the living options available to you throughout every stage of life—even as your needs evolve.

What are the types of living options?

Many senior communities offer independent living, assisted living, memory care, or some combination of these options. Each living option comes with its own features to accommodate different needs:

• Independent living offers many amenities and resources for older adults who don't need support with activities of daily living (ADLs).
• Assisted living includes all of the same amenities and resources as independent living, plus it features 24-7 on-site staff members who offer a helping hand with ADLs.
• Memory care is specially designed for those living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

Which option is best?

If you aren't quite sure which living option is best for you, or if you have specific health concerns, consider chatting with your physician first. You can also find a community near you to talk more about your particular situation, so experienced team members can guide you in the right direction.

It's important to consider how senior living fits into your financial plans. Many adults are pleasantly surprised to realize how affordable it can be.

Compare the costs.

The cost of senior living often includes rent, utilities, access to amenities such as the community's fitness center, campus events and activities, and a flexible dining plan.

Compare this cost to how much you’re spending while living at your current home. Write down your monthly expenses, such as your mortgage payment, landscaping costs, grocery bills, and gym membership. Then, compare that amount to the community cost that already includes all of those expenses. 

Consult with experts.

Make an appointment with your financial advisor and other professionals who can provide guidance about ways to offset costs, such as veterans' benefits or insurance.

Talking about a move to senior living can be difficult. Whether you're considering the option for yourself or you've been approached by your family to discuss the possibility of a move, here are some tips to help make the conversation a little easier.

Gather the facts.

When you open the conversation, draw a connection between senior living and seeking out the best possible quality of life. It might take more than one conversation to get everyone on the same page—and that's OK.

Talk to other family members.

Before initiating the conversation, take the time to gather and weigh opinions from trusted family members or close friends. Depending on the dynamics, bringing up your concerns or asking their opinions may provide new perspectives and help to clarify your decision.

Listen to understand.

Senior living conversations are most productive when everyone commits to listening more than they talk. Listen for any objections, the reason behind them, and any underlying feelings. Be flexible and willing to table the conversation for another time if emotions run too high. You can always come back to it later.

Visiting a senior living community will help you envision what life is really like for residents. You can schedule a tour at a community near you to get started. 

Tour the community.

The best way to get a feel for a senior living community is to see it for yourself. During a tour, you can ask all of your questions, observe daily life, and see firsthand how residents and team members interact. Paying attention to what's happening and how people connect can tell you a lot about the culture there.

How do I know what to expect?

After your initial tour, consider returning to the community to join in for a meal or a social event. An extra visit or two can help you get a better feel for what daily life is truly like and what you can expect as a resident.

You've found a community you love. Now, it's time to focus on moving day. You're just a few steps away from entering a new phase of your life built around community and a deep sense of belonging.

Plan before the move.

You don’t have to handle packing, organizing, and rightsizing all on your own. Recruit a few friends or family members to help out, or consider hiring a professional who is experienced with senior moves.

Be sure to stay in touch with the community’s management team. This way, you can coordinate moving day logistics and receive recommendations for moving companies or other professionals who can help with the transition.

Don't stress on moving day.

Moving day is always busy. However, when you move to a Cedarhurst community, you can rest assured that there’s an entire experienced team ready to make the process as easy as possible. You can choose to supervise, or you might prefer to begin life in your new community right away by attending an event, grabbing a meal with family members, or exploring campus while others handle the moving details for you.

Get support from family members.

You don't have to navigate this transition alone. Programs such as Pair to Prepare^® are designed to make your move as comfortable as possible by allowing a family member to stay with you for a night or two. This can help you settle in and get a firsthand look at daily life while easing the transition for both you and your family members.

For residents at Cedarhurst communities, it's all about living life according to their own interests and on their own terms. You'll notice the difference when you walk through the doors of a Cedarhurst community. 

Feel both listened to and care for by extraordinary staff members.

We have decades of experience working with seniors and their family members, and we've learned that listening allows us to understand the challenges they face so we can create innovative solutions. 

Spend time in shared spaces for social connection.

You'll quickly discover a life at Cedarhurst is tailored to your interests. With a full calendar of social events and activities and beautifully designed common areas, you can choose how to spend your days and who you spend them with. Join friends for a chat or a walk around campus and enjoy making meaningful connections.

Enjoy chef-prepared meals.

Our all-day dining program lets you have chef-prepared meals at your convenience. Our commitment to understanding your needs extends to every aspect of the community, including dining that's designed to give you both freedom and delicious, healthy options.

Ready to take the next step and figure out which care option is the best fit? Our quick care assessment helps you understand the type of support that best fits your needs. It’s simple, personalized, and a great first step toward peace of mind.

Start your assessment today and see what feels right for you.