Wisconsin's population of people over 60 is nearly 1.5 million, accounting for about 25% of the state's entire population.
If you've got a loved one entrenched in their senior years and showing signs of aging, it might be time for a retirement community. These communities can give residents a simpler life that makes the aging process easier and more comfortable.
The benefits of senior living are well-documented, but you need to put the work into finding the right community for your loved one to make the most of it. Here, we'll give you some tips for finding the right retirement community in Cedarburg.
Your loved one doesn't have to settle for anything but the best when it comes to retirement living. Keep reading and let us help you find the perfect community to enjoy their golden years.
Before you can truly begin your search for the perfect Cedarburg senior living options, you need to determine what kind of care you're looking for. In senior living, what type of care you choose will depend on your loved one's unique health needs.
If they're relatively healthy but want to enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle around people their age, a retirement community is the best option. If some evolving health and mobility issues prevent them from handling daily tasks, assisted living is the choice.
For those who are dealing with the symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia, then assisted living with memory care is needed. This type of care involves highly trained staff members who are compassionate and equipped to deal with the challenges that cognitive issues present.
So, figure out what your loved one needs. Once you know that, you can choose the right type of community and begin your search in earnest.
One of the first things you'll need to consider in your search for a senior living community is location. Even when you find the perfect community, the transition into senior care can be tricky.
The best way to mitigate this trickiness is to pick a community in a nearby location. Being in familiar surroundings with landmarks and landscapes that they recognize will make your loved one feel a bit more comfortable when entering the community.
It also makes it much easier to welcome visitors when the community is centrally located. Visitors are integral to transitioning into senior care as well.
When you begin your search, you'll likely type "senior communities WI" into Google. From there, you can separate the best communities from the rest by looking at the reviews.
Reviews can tell you a great deal about daily life in a community from people who have intimate knowledge of it. If there are any problems with the staff, care, or amenities, you'll find out from the loved ones of current and former residents.
Use the reviews to narrow your search down to a few of the top nearby communities. From there, you can schedule tours and see them for yourself.
Tours are a great way to peer into the inner workings of a community before committing to one. Always show up to these tours with a list of criteria and questions to ask your guide.
Make sure to get the full view of the community, starting with the resident apartments. Does the community offer different room options? Are they enough to accommodate your loved one's needs?
It's also important to gauge how the staff interacts with the residents. They should demonstrate a level of expertise, but also compassion toward those they're helping. Don't be afraid to speak with staff members as you're taking your tour to ask them questions about the services they provide.
You can get a sense of the community's approach to senior care by looking at the daily activity calendar. The programming for communities should help residents stay physically, emotionally, and mentally sharp.
Seniors need 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per day to maintain heart health and stave off mobility issues. The calendar should have multiple healthy activities per day, whether it be Tai Chi or walks around the grounds.
The activities should also include things for residents to stay mentally sharp. Things like games, musical performances, and puzzles are great for keeping residents' brains and minds active.
Another thing that good activity programming promotes is socialization. A big problem in American senior populations is social isolation. An extensive activity calendar will give residents plenty of opportunities to socialize with their peers and forge lasting friendships.
How your loved one eats will play a major role in their physical and mental health in their community as well. Seniors need a solid nutrition plan to avoid things like diabetes, osteoporosis, and unnecessary weight gain.
Sadly, many seniors fail to get the right nutrients because cooking for themselves is too daunting. The best Cedarburg retirement living options will offer restaurant-quality in-house dining for all residents.
Your loved one will have access to a rotating menu of delicious and nutritious meals whenever they're hungry. If they so choose, they can opt to cook in their apartment's kitchen as well.
One of the ways retirement communities in Cedarburg can mitigate feelings of isolation is by offering transportation services. Giving residents the freedom to go on excursions outside the community safely and securely is a game-changing option.
Whether it's an outing to get groceries or a doctor's appointment, the transportation services should escort residents to and from the community with ease. This is something that takes a huge burden off of family members who would otherwise be responsible for transportation.
If you use the criteria outlined here, you'll be able to find the top retirement community in Cedarburg. The journey to senior care requires diligence, and it can often be overwhelming, especially for your loved one.
To make your search easier, choose one of the best retirement homes in Cedarburg - LakeHouse Cedarburg. Our personal, attentive care is second to none, so let us help your loved one make a comfortable transition into senior care. Contact us today to learn more about our amazing services.