Finding the right senior living community can feel overwhelming, and older adults often have more questions than answers. Several types of communities and levels of care make the process daunting. If you don’t know where to begin, we can help you determine which care option is right for you.
Our goal at Sundale Senior Living in Huntsville, TX, is to provide all the information available to help you navigate the journey with less stress and more confidence. Our knowledgeable and friendly team can answer your questions and guide you through determining which community suits your needs best.
Browse our tips below and speak with our Executive Director today.
Determining the Right Senior Living Community Type for Your Needs
It’s common to believe that today’s senior living communities are similar to those of the past – with intensive care, restrictive lifestyles, and outdated facilities. However, modern-day communities are anything but a one-size-fits-all approach. Although several levels of care are available, today’s senior living communities maximize your abilities and aim to provide a thriving retirement.
The most common senior living communities include independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. It’s essential to understand the various levels of care to determine which type is best for you.
Independent Living
Independent living is a perfect option for active older adults who thrive alone. These communities don’t provide medical or personal support services – they exist to help older adults maximize their retirement years. The most notable perks of independent living communities include the following:
- Updated apartments
- Enriching social programs and opportunities
- Household chores & maintenance services
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities offer support when you need it. At Sundale, our assisted living in Huntsville has customized care plans according to residents’ needs, and we’re willing to adjust when necessary. Assisted living residents can enjoy the same benefits as independent living but with the additional peace of mind that comes from knowing the staff is always available to help.
Other benefits include the following:
- Freedom to live as independently as possible
- Personal support with activities of daily living
- Updated apartments, amenities, and programs
Memory Care
Memory care communities are designed for older adults with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Using a personalized approach, these communities help residents maintain their abilities and maintain safety while preserving individual dignity and their personalities through specialized programs. This care and service is best for older adults with declining cognitive skills.
Skilled Nursing
Skilled nursing communities allow older adults to rehabilitate after surgery, illness, or injury or receive continuous medical support. They’re an excellent option for those who need around-the-clock care for a specified period or on an ongoing basis. These communities are a good fit for individuals whose medical needs have become too great to handle at home or in another community.
When Should I Make the Move to Senior Living?
Determining when you should move to a senior living community can be difficult. You’ve lived independently for most of your life, so making a change isn’t thrilling. It’s okay if you’re struggling – at Sundale, we have decades of experience helping older adults decide.
Although everyone has reasons for choosing or not choosing a senior living community, there are notable signs indicating you may be more ready than you think. The following are common indicators that may show it’s time to move:
It’s a common belief that the best time to move to a senior living community is when your medical needs have become too much to bear alone. However, today’s senior living environments allow you to maximize your active retirement years without the responsibilities.
Although you’re an active independent individual, there’s nothing wrong with admitting that you could benefit from additional support. Even if you don’t need 24/7 assistance, many older adults enjoy improved independence from knowing someone can help when needed.
Many older adults live by themselves at home, which can have deprecating effects on their overall well-being. The best part of retirement is the freedom to build and strengthen relationships and do what you love – what better opportunity than in an atmosphere where you’re mere steps away from your companions?
One of the biggest tips we give prospective residents is to choose a senior living community that will adjust as their needs change. At Sundale, we conduct regular personalized needs assessments to ensure every resident receives the necessary support. As your needs increase or decrease, we’ll adapt with you.
It’s important to note that everyone’s experience is different, and we’re here to help you navigate the journey. Learn more about when to move to senior living by reading our blog post – When is Assisted Living Needed?
How to Find the Best Senior Living Community
Once you understand the differing types of senior living options and the signs indicating when to move, it’s time to research communities. Senior living communities are everywhere, so the process can feel daunting. However, transitioning to a more independent lifestyle will be worth the process.
There are steps you can take and items to look for when searching for the best senior living community. They are as follows:
What Lifestyle Do You Want?
First, it’s essential to determine the level of care you need and the lifestyle you want to start or maintain. For instance, if you wish to keep your independence, a skilled nursing facility might not suit you.
When you determine the level of care you desire, you can narrow your choices. From there, sift through the available options and identify your desired amenities. Everyone’s wish list will look different, and that’s okay! Your journey to a new home is highly personal.
At Sundale Senior Living, we offer the following world-class amenities and assisted living services to every resident, whether they stay with us briefly or for the long haul:
- Apartment-style living
- A vibrant community lifestyle
- Nutritious, chef-inspired meals
- Engaging programs
- Medicine management
- Data-driven monitoring of residents
- Outdoor courtyards
- Emergency call pendants
- Housekeeping & laundry services
- Concierge services
- On-site beauty salon
- Transportation services
- And more.
We also offer short-term respite care if you’d like to try assisted living to see if it’s the right fit. You’ll experience all the benefits of assisted living without a long-term commitment.
Determine Your Budget
Just as communities differ in their offerings, so do their prices. Consider which items from your wish list are “need-to-haves” and which are “nice-to-haves.” Narrow your list further by identifying which communities offer your “need-to-haves,” and budget willing, your “nice-to-haves.”
Sundale Senior Living can help determine your expenses by walking you through a financial worksheet. We also have several resources available to help, such as the following blog posts:
Take a Tour
Once you’ve determined your level of care, wish list items, and budget, it’s time to begin touring potential communities. Ensure you visit the communities in-person to understand the atmosphere better and witness the residents, staff, and amenities firsthand.
Although we highly recommend in-person visits, Sundale offers a virtual online tour of our community. Additionally, we have numerous online photo galleries of our apartments, common areas, and well-maintained courtyard. If you have questions or would like to schedule an in-person visit, speak with our Executive Director – we’d be happy to help.
The Lexington Center staff are very friendly to everyone who comes in. You can tell immediately that they love the residents because they love what they do. There is always just “happy” noise in the atmosphere. The community has beautiful, Southern Plantation decor and architecture. The rooms are spacious and the common areas are beautiful as well with lots of windows and feels open with lots of sunshine!
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It’s a really great place to work at. The staff are really joyful to work with everyone works as a team and gets along great with each other. The main reason I work there is because the residents are so happy there you can tell they really enjoy the community and how well thay are looked after by the nursing staff we all go the extra mile to make them feel right at home.
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When I moved here, I didn’t know what to expect since I’d never lived anywhere but home. From the very start, I felt nothing but absolute concern and interest in my health and well-being. There has never been anytime that I’ve doubted I was in the right place.
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The staff and administration at Sundale are simply outstanding. I feel so blessed to be here with such caring people.
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I have been so impressed by the compassion and care the staff has for residents. The relationships are truly that of family. I can’t imagine a better place for late in life care.
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Sundale Senior Living in Huntsville, TX, is Here to Help
At Sundale Senior Living, we understand the weight of your decision. Choosing to take the next step in your journey is no small feat, and we’re here to help you navigate the unknown. Our friendly staff genuinely cares about providing the best community experience for older adults in Huntsville, TX.
We invite you to visit our beautiful campus in Huntsville, conveniently located between the Veterans Memorial Pkwy and Montgomery Rd exits on Interstate 45. Additionally, we’re minutes from the Texas Route 19 and Interstate 45 junction and a five-minute drive from Huntsville Memorial Hospital.
Contact us today to take the next step!