Moving to a senior living community is more than finding a new place to live. It is about finding a community that supports your needs, personality, lifestyle, and quality of life. Finding the Right Senior Living Community can be difficult, but keep trying!
Maryanne Stallings, founder of Bridge to Better Living, recently joined Live and Learn to discuss how families can navigate this important transition and why planning ahead can make the process less overwhelming.
Finding a Community That Fits the Whole Person
Every individual’s situation is different. That is why choosing senior living should involve much more than comparing floor plans or locations.
At Bridge to Better Living, the process begins by understanding what an individual needs socially, physically, medically, and financially. From there, potential communities can be narrowed down to those that meet the person’s individual circumstances. Bridge to Better Living can then arrange appointments and accompany clients on community tours.
Personality is an important part of the equation as well. During the interview, Maryanne recalled a woman who walked into a community, noticed residents playing bridge, and immediately felt that she had found the right place. She had not even seen her apartment yet. What mattered at that moment was seeing a social environment where she could picture herself belonging.
Make the Transition Feel Less Overwhelming
A move can be stressful for older adults and their families, particularly when circumstances require a decision sooner than expected.
One way to make the transition easier is to experience a community before making a final decision. Maryanne explains that some communities allow prospective residents to have dinner with current residents, participate in activities, attend special events, or join a waiting list while determining whether the community feels right.
These experiences can help transform the idea of “moving into senior living” into something much more personal. You are choosing a new home and a community where you may spend many meaningful years.
Start Exploring Your Options Early
One of the most important lessons from the conversation is the value of planning ahead.
Waiting lists can vary depending on the level of care. Maryanne notes that independent living communities may have longer waits, sometimes ranging from six months to several years, while assisted living waiting periods may be shorter because residents’ circumstances tend to change more frequently.
Starting the conversation early gives older adults and their families more time to explore communities without feeling pressured to make an immediate decision.
Remember: This Is Home
A senior living community should ultimately feel like home.
Maryanne shared that her own mother lived in independent living for 10 years, while another resident who moved in around the same time remained there for nearly 20 years.
That perspective can change how families approach the search. Instead of simply asking, “Does this community provide what we need?” it is also worth asking, “Can I picture myself living here?”
The right environment should support opportunities for friendship, activities, independence, appropriate care, and the lifestyle that matters to the individual.
Planning for Aging Goes Beyond Where You Live
Preparing for the future is not limited to choosing a senior living community.
Maryanne emphasizes the importance of staying active and maintaining quality of life. She also encourages families to make sure important personal matters are organized, including wills, powers of attorney, estate information, instructions for personal belongings, important documents, account passwords, and even funeral arrangements.
Just as importantly, family members should know where these documents and other essential information can be found.
Taking care of these details ahead of time can help make future transitions easier for everyone involved.
A New Home and a New Chapter
Moving to senior living does not have to mean giving something up. For many older adults, the right community can provide opportunities for connection, activities, support, and a renewed sense of belonging.
After helping families through these decisions for 16 years, Maryanne describes seeing smiles, receiving hugs, and watching “the weight of the world” come off people’s shoulders once they have found the right solution.
At the heart of the process is something simple but important: quality of life.
Planning ahead, understanding your options, and choosing a community based on the whole person can help make the next stage of life not simply a transition, but the beginning of a new chapter.