Key Elements to Consider in Senior Assisted Living

Assisted living is growing more popular, with there now being more than 800,000 Americans living in assisted living facilities. With so many people living in senior housing, understanding how to find the best community is an important step.

But what senior living amenities should you look for when you’re searching for senior living options? Many senior housing benefits can make or break a community for you.

If you’re curious about finding the best retirement communities, we’re here to offer our guidance. Read on for a quick overview of what key elements to consider when looking for senior living options.

What Are Senior Living Amenities?

Amenities are like perks or benefits to living in a community. These aren’t only in senior living spaces and are something you’ll want to consider no matter where you’re living.

For example, a nearby park for your kids to play at is an amenity. Having an HOA that provides community upkeep and yard maintenance would count as an amenity as well.

Amenities are not safety requirements, such as access to emergency personnel. Another example of something that isn’t an amenity is having living conditions that are above the bare minimum. Keeping the air conditioning on during summer isn’t an amenity – that’s a must-have!

Finding Key Senior Living Amenities

Now that we know more about amenities, what should you look for when searching for senior housing benefits? Here are some of the most important pros to keep in your mind.

Private Restrooms

In some budget options, you may find your senior sharing their restroom with neighbors or communities. In some extreme cases, there’s no expectation of privacy in such situations.

On one hand, this has some benefits – if a senior falls in the restroom, it’s easier for someone to come to their aid. On the other, losing this privacy isn’t always a choice we want to make.

The inconvenience of having to leave your room to walk to the restroom is also a drawback. And for many seniors, mobility can present a challenge in this situation.

Here at TerraBella Thornblade, we offer private bathrooms for each of our rooms. That way, you know you’re guaranteed your privacy without jeopardizing your freedom or safety.

Assisted Living

Not all senior homes are assisted living centers. There are plenty of retirement homes where you won’t have assistance with your daily tasks.

For many people, assisted living is the point of exploring senior living options. These amenities can help to keep your loved one safer, make day-to-day life easier to tackle, and assist you in times of need. They’re especially important for people with memory challenges.

At TerraBella Thornblade, we offer a variety of assisted living apartments. Our assisted living rooms come as suites, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options. As such, you can pick the best room for your needs while still enjoying these amenities.

Personal Kitchen Spaces

Many assisted living and senior living features come without personal kitchens. Instead, there are community kitchens where residents can cook meals together or with assistance.

However, as with restrooms, some people feel that this infringes on their personal privacy and freedom. Even casting that aside, it’s objectively inconvenient if you just want to warm up some food. And there are some homes that won’t have any sort of kitchen spaces, instead using a cafeteria-style dining room.

You should search for facilities that offer in-room kitchens or kitchenettes. By doing so, you’ll find rooms that ensure more personal freedom. You’ll enjoy having the ability to use your kitchen whenever you feel necessary.

Here at TerraBella Thornblade, we offer rooms with in-room kitchenettes. These spaces allow you to keep the convenience of a kitchen without needing to travel to a community kitchen. You’ll also enjoy the refrigerator that accompanies these kitchenettes.

Medication Assistance

As we age, many of us find ourselves taking plenty of vitamins, supplements, and medications. These medications are crucial to our health, but keeping track of them can feel overwhelming. New medications added to the mix only complicate matters.

One of the most popular senior living amenities is offering medication assistance. Trained professionals help the resident keep track of their medicine as well as which to take and when.

While this provides fantastic convenience, it’s also a safety measure. Forgetting medication can lead to some conditions worsening or even life-threatening situations. Conversely, forgetting you’ve taken your medication and taking a second dose can lead to a shortage of medicine and health issues.

At TerraBella Thornblade, we’re proud to provide robust and helpful medication assistance. Our trained professionals can help you or your loved one keep close track of their medication. That way, nothing falls beneath the cracks.

Memory Care

For seniors, memory care often becomes a necessity. Studies show that about 1 in 10 adults deal with some sort of memory loss. While some conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s become more common with age, simple cognitive decline is often to blame.

As such, memory care is a must-have amenity for most senior living spaces. Memory care involves helping seniors stay organized and keeping track of things for them.

Medication assistance often falls into this category. It’s common for memory care to take the form of helping a senior keep track of medication and take it when necessary.

Memory care can also take the form of helping the senior keep a schedule. These tasks could include visiting family or loved ones, keeping up with exercise, and more.

Here at TerraBella Thornblade, we offer suites with memory care services. That way, you can rest assured knowing the most is being done for your loved one’s memory care.

Finding the Best Senior Living Amenities

Senior living amenities vary depending on what the community offers. Think of what amenities are most important to you or your loved one’s safety and personal freedom. Prioritize keeping them safe and comfortable above all else.

At TerraBella Thornblade, we’re committed to offering the best living experience we can to you and your loved ones. Our trained and passionate staff brings compassion to your lives. Contact us today to see how we can help you find the best senior living options.