North Carolina’s senior population is expected to double by 2040.
When you see statistics like this, it really highlights the importance of quality senior care. If you’ve got a loved one who is showing signs of aging, they’ll benefit from senior care in Charlotte. That said, not all communities are on equal ground, so you need to know how to separate the best from the rest.
Today, we’ll help ease the burden of finding the right assisted living in Charlotte by telling you what to think about and which factors you should use to choose your loved one’s next adventure. The best-assisted living services in Charlotte are right under your nose, so keep reading and figure out how to find them.
Do an Elder Care Needs Assessment
Different seniors have different needs when it comes to elder care. For them to enjoy great senior living in Charlotte, you should perform an elder care needs assessment to determine what type of care they should receive.
There are a few different types of senior living communities out there. Your loved one’s health will tell you which one is best suited to care for them.
Retirement communities in Charlotte are best for healthy seniors who don’t want the hassle of looking after their homes. These communities give residents plenty of independence while offering a low-maintenance lifestyle. They also help facilitate social connections between seniors for improved mental and emotional health.
For seniors with age-related issues, assisted living is a better option. If your loved one is among the more than 210,000 people suffering from Alzheimer’s in North Carolina, they’ll need assisted living with memory care.
These services give seniors access to staff help 24/7 for whatever they may need. Memory care staff are highly trained in dealing with the complexities of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The goal is to mitigate the limitations of living with these health issues to give them a high quality of life in their golden years.
Think About Location
When you begin searching for communities, type, “senior living Charlotte” into Google. This will give you all of the city’s options for senior care. Now, it’s time to start thinking about location.
Location is important for multiple reasons. First, does being in the hustle and bustle of a population center appeal to your loved one? If they enjoy shopping, eating out, and public parks, they’ll want a centrally located community.
The other thing to think about is the transition into care. Pick a community that’s accessible to family and friends, which will facilitate more visits. More visiting with loved ones will make the transition into senior care less stark.
Read the Reviews
Next, look at reviews and testimonials. No one can tell you more about the ins and outs of a community than loved ones of current/former residents. If there are any issues with the quality of care or the way staff treat residents, they’ll show up in the reviews.
You can use reviews to eliminate several communities from contention. Schedule community tours with the most reputable options and see them for yourself.
Look Into Accommodations and Amenities
When touring communities, you’ll want to get a clear picture of the accommodations and amenities on offer. Good communities will offer a few different floor plans to accommodate residents’ comfort, needs, and budget.
At TerraBella Little Avenue, we have suites and one-bedroom options, as well as simplified accommodations for memory care residents. All rooms are equipped with comfortable beds and lounge areas. They all have televisions and kitchenettes – everything your loved one will need.
Pay attention to what community amenities there are. If your loved one enjoys being outside, they’ll be drawn to communities with garden spaces and walking paths. If they enjoy relaxing and socializing, they’ll prefer communities with game rooms and theaters.
Do They Value Senior Fitness?
Ask your tour guide about the activity programming in the community. This will say a lot about the community’s attitude toward senior fitness – a very important aspect of aging.
Seniors need 2.5 hours per week of moderate aerobic activity. Being fit will help them avoid osteoporosis and unnecessary weight gain, which can lead to countless other problems (diabetes, heart disease, etc.).
Look for things like yoga, walking clubs, Tai Chi, and various leisure sports on the activity calendar. The more opportunity your loved one has to be active, the healthier they’ll be.
What About Socialization?
At the same time, activities need to promote a sense of community. It can be difficult for seniors to leave their comfort zone to socialize with their peers.
The community should make every effort to facilitate resident interactions that may lead to meaningful relationships. Exciting events and games are great for helping residents meet and strike up conversations.
Do They Offer Nutritious Dining?
What kind of in-house dining does the community have? Residents should have in-suite kitchens to cook for themselves, but most assisted living and memory care residents won’t be doing that every night.
Having access to restaurant-quality dining will ensure all residents are meeting their dietary needs. Seniors need lots of nutrients and vitamins from their diet, but very few actually reach these healthy eating goals.
Our Sensations dining program offers a rotating menu of tasty and healthy meals multiple times per day. Your loved one’s dietary needs and restrictions will be met with ease.
Consider Community Safety/Security
It’ll be important to understand the safety and security measures each community has in place before choosing one. Safety measures come in the form of attentive staff and accessibility features. The more a community does to prevent falls and the injuries that result, the better.
As far as security is concerned, the most important thing is preventing wandering from those with Alzheimer’s. This can lead to injuries and mental trauma, so memory care staff must take care to avoid the possibility of wandering among residents.
Get the Top Assisted Living in Charlotte
Finding the perfect assisted living in Charlotte can feel tricky, but if you factor everything mentioned here into your decision, the choice will be clear.
At TerraBella Little Avenue, we offer all of the amazing assisted living services discussed here and so much more. When your loved one enters our community, they’ll be treated like family. Contact us today to set up a tour and see it all for yourself.
