Just about 16% of the population here in Charleston is 65 or older. As more Charleston residents reach retirement age, the harder it can seem to find available assisted living options.
Ideally, you want to take your time to find the right assisted living community in Charleston that meets all your needs. However, some seniors find themselves in a position where they need assisted living ASAP. This is often the case after a big change, like the loss of a spouse or a disabling fall.
We’re here to help you get the best of both worlds. Read on for a quick primer on how to find great Charleston senior living and speed up the intake process.
What to Look for in Assisted Living
Just because you’re looking for quick assisted living solutions doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Let’s take a look at the top qualities to look for before submitting your retirement community application.
High-Quality Senior Services
Assisted living communities are ideal for seniors who need assistance with basic life tasks but don’t need round-the-clock medical care. Verify that you can receive as-needed assistance with:
- Grooming, bathing, and dressing
- Getting in and out of bed and ambulation
- Basic housekeeping
- Medication management
- Apartment maintenance
- Transportation
You can also look at testimonials to learn about the satisfaction of current residents. The goal is to find caregivers who exhibit professionalism, compassion, and joy in everything they do.
Great Activities and Amenities
Did you know that socializing can have a positive impact on your cognitive functioning? This is why we urge you to look for assisted living communities that make socialization a priority by offering:
- A robust activity schedule
- Community outings
- Meal programs with optional communal dining
- Wellness programs and fitness classes
A rotation of activities makes it easy to meet your neighbors and build lasting relationships. Plus, it ensures that every day is filled with fun!
Comfortable Private Quarters
One of the biggest appeals of assisted living is that residents can continue to enjoy their own private living quarters. Ideally, these living quarters should have:
- Heating and cooling
- Spacious closets
- Window treatments
- Safety features like smoke detectors
Consider any other must-haves on your list. For example, TerraBella James Island is a great choice for seniors with pets. We also offer kitchenettes in many of our apartments for seniors who still love to cook.
How to Cover Assisted Living Costs
Getting your finances in order can feel overwhelming when you’re in a hurry. Read on to learn about planning for your assisted living expenses.
Understand What Assisted Living Costs Cover
Assisted living costs will vary from one community to the next. It’s always important to talk to the finance department and request a monthly or annual quote for more accurate budgeting.
Assisted living costs are often quite comprehensive, covering everything from your housing to your chef-prepared meals and basic at-home care. It will not include things like out-of-pocket medical expenses or personal groceries.
Assess Your Available Funds
When timeliness is the most important element of your assisted living transition, start by assessing your actively available funds. This may include:
- Savings accounts
- Retirement funds such as pensions or 401(k)s
- Long-term care insurance
Make sure you can comfortably afford the first four to six months of assisted living costs. This will give you and your family time to evaluate additional assets, such as property or investments.
Plan for the Future
There are many professionals who can help you plan for your future expenses. For example, an estate lawyer can help you finalize important paperwork like your will and power of attorney. In this process, they can help you assess all assets and decide what steps to take to increase your cash flow.
Moving into assisted living before you begin estate planning and selling your home ensures that you’ll have proper care at the same time. This can also prevent rushed home sales and allow you to pursue the highest bid.
How to Speed Up Assisted Living Intake
Finally, let’s talk about how you can speed up the process of moving into assisted living. These steps will make it easier for the community of your choice to process your application and help you settle in quickly.
Prepare Your Medical Paperwork
Nearly 90% of older adults have at least one chronic condition. When you move into assisted living, your care team will need to know your medical history and any existing conditions you have. This allows the staff to confirm that they are able to provide appropriate support.
Contact your doctor’s office to ask for a copy of your recent medical history. In addition, create a list of any medications (including over-the-counter pills or supplements) that you currently take.
Use Online Resources to Research Your Options
You can learn a lot about your local assisted living communities by researching them online. For example, a community website may list their amenities and features. This is also a great place to look for testimonials.
When it comes to asking specific questions, there’s no faster way than giving the community a call. You can reach our office for community inquiries at 843-762-1396.
Communicate Urgency
Once you’re ready to start the intake process, make sure to communicate the urgency of the situation. At TerraBella James Island, letting us know that you want to move in ASAP allows us to fast-track your move-in process.
It is especially important to communicate urgency if a community has a waitlist. By letting them know that you’re in need of care now, they may be able to put you in a temporary respite room while waiting for permanent quarters to open up.
Looking for an Assisted Living Community in Charleston?
If you’re looking to move into an assisted living community in Charleston right away, you don’t have to sacrifice quality to do it. Use this guide to ensure that you still find the perfect community to meet your needs.
At TerraBella James Island, we know that not all future residents can wait to start enjoying our services. That’s why we offer our Fast Track program that gets residents in the door in as little as 24 hours. Contact us and let us know that you’re ready to move in right away and we’ll get your intake started.
