Determining Your Needs and Wants in Senior Living

Whether buying a car, new furniture, or our next vacation spot, we all struggle to distinguish between our wants and needs. Choosing a senior living community is a major life decision, and finding a community that checks all the boxes can be difficult, especially with all the different types of communities, care offerings, and various service and amenity options.

It can be challenging to differentiate between your wants and needs once you start touring senior living communities.  Of course, you want to ensure you or your loved one is well taken care of and happy, but you also want to stay within your budget. So, how do you determine your needs and wants in senior living?

Here’s what you need to consider.

Your Health

Senior living communities that offer 24-hour health care services and patient monitoring are generally more expensive. In addition, residents who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating, may pay more. Of course, your health and personal care are your number one priority!

If you have a severe or chronic illness, mobility issues, or struggle with daily tasks, choosing a senior living community like Notre Dame, which offers extensive health care services, is a must.

Your Interests

Retirement should be fun, relaxing, and full of opportunities to socialize and enjoy time with friends and family. You’re choosing your next home and want to ensure it has everything you need to live a fun and carefree life.

Senior living communities offer residents an array of amenities and social opportunities, including:

• Cultural trips
• Swimming pools
• Art classes
• Outings to local attractions and restaurants
• Book clubs
• Musical entertainment
• Walking groups
• Group fitness classes
• Transportation for shopping and appointments
• Card and game room

Suppose you love learning new things and participating in social events. In that case, a full calendar of planned events may be more important than high-end amenities such as fancy pools or state-of-the-art fitness facilities.

Your Living Accommodations

Senior living communities give residents many choices when it comes to living spaces. Living spaces can vary from location to location and range from studios to one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments and even spacious condos or single-family homes. Is having your own space a deal breaker, or would you enjoy the companionship of a roommate? Having a luxury living space would be fantastic! But would you be just as happy with a smaller space?

Conclusion

There are no right or wrong answers when determining individual wants and needs. 

Wants and needs are a personal choice! And when it comes to determining your needs and wants in senior living, the good news is that you have a variety of choices. If you have questions or need help with senior living, contact Notre Dame.

About Notre Dame Health Care

Notre Dame Health Care (NDHC) offers a range of post-acute programs and services to the community, including an Assisted Living Residence; Adult & Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care; Post-Acute Recuperation; Short-Term Rehabilitation; Skilled Nursing and traditional Long Term Care; Specialized Memory Care; and an educational resource center which serves our employees and community. We embrace the individuality, spirituality, and wholeness of each member of our community, including our residents, patients, families, volunteers, and staff.

Notre Dame Health Care is proudly non-profit and honored to carry on the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to care for the sick and vulnerable and to educate for life through our NDHC Educational Bridge Center.

Notre Dame Health Care
555-559 Plantation Street
Worcester, MA 01605
(508) 852-5800
notredamehealthcare.org