When it comes to getting the right floor plan and apartment for a loved one, there are a number of things to consider. Floor plans are critical to determine the level of access and comfort that your loved one will experience while at the senior assisted living community. If you are at the point where you are considering various options around senior living Atlanta GA, here are some of the things to keep in mid when getting the right apartment for your loved one
Think Access
While many of the assisted living communities put a lot of thought into designing their apartments, it is still essential to verify that the apartment offers your loved one as much access as they need. For example, movement from one room to another should be seamless with no elevated areas or protrusions that could cause slips and falls. It is essential to check how accessible everyday-use items such as shelves and faucets are. In many assisted living communities, shelves are placed significantly lower than normal so that your loved one can easily pick and place items on them without straining their bodies or worse, slipping and falling. Faucets in retirement communities should also be easy to turn off and on as normal faucets can pose problems to loved one with joint issues such as arthritis.
Think Location
For most assisted living communities, residents will have their own apartments while sharing certain amenities with the rest of the residents. These shared amenities include gyms, dining areas and so on. When selecting the right floor plan and apartment for your loved one, it is important that they have easy access to these facilities. Ideally, their apartment should be within central distance of all these facilities, which makes it easy for your family member to find their way to the dining room or recreation center.
Wheelchair Movement
If your family member is likely to use a wheelchair, then it is even more important to make sure that they have the right floor plan in their apartment. Doorways should be wide enough to allow for the easy movement of a wheelchair without the risk of the wheels or the sides being stuck on the door frames. Any apartment with a staircase is probably not feasible for such a situation. You should also check the hallways and other common areas for ramps and other access features that make movement with a wheelchair a lot more easier.
Space
Your loved one is going to need plenty of space around the apartment. It is important to ensure that the apartments are roomy enough to make this a reality. Check the size of the windows to ensure that they let in enough natural light and air into the apartment. If your loved one will be staying at the retirement community with a pet, then the floor plans should also be conducive for pets as well. This means safeguards on balconies and other open areas to prevent the pet from jumping outside. It is also a good idea to ensure that your retirement community has enough space outside for your family member to walk their pet without having to leave the compound.