7 Easy Ways to Start Your Senior Living Search

More than half of Americans age 55 or older now describe themselves as officially retired. Just between 2019 and 2021, the number of retirees increased by 3.5 million, so it’s easy to see why interest in retirement communities is at an all-time high. The good news? There are more senior living options than ever before. However, they vary widely – finding the one that’s just-right for you can feel daunting.

More good news! Whether you’re researching a move for yourself or an aging family member, it’s easy to get started. These 7 steps will point you in the right direction.

1. Just go online

This seems like an obvious place to start, and the internet is replete with information about senior living in general and specific communities. But you can quickly become overwhelmed unless you ask yourself some questions first to help narrow your search. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can save time and zoom in on realistic possibilities.

So let’s back up a minute.

2. Understand Your Options

Moving to a senior community while you’re still fully active and independent allows you to take maximum advantage of retirement, no longer encumbered by time-consuming, expensive (and tedious) home maintenance and other chores. Even so, most seniors will eventually require some type of physical or medical assistance, so it’s best to think ahead. Ideally, you want this to be your last move!

Senior communities typically offer multiple levels of care. This enables you to stay in the same “neighborhood” even if your needs change later on, which can bring great peace of mind to you and your family. Levels of care may include:

• Independent living
• Assisted living (for those who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, mobility, or managing medications)
• Memory care (for those with increasing cognitive or memory loss)
• Skilled nursing (for those who need medical assistance)

3. Make It a Team Effort

If you’re researching senior living options on behalf of your elder Mom or Dad, they may be less than enthusiastic, or even stubbornly refusing to acknowledge their need for a more assistive environment. This guide will help you have “the talk” with them in a positive, constructive way. The more actively your parent(s) participate in the search, the happier they will be with the outcome.

4. Determine Your Budget

In most cases, you will be responsible for paying expenses associated with senior living. Now is the time to assess your finances and also to learn about what resources can be used to afford senior living.

Costs among senior communities vary widely by location, details of the living accommodations, amenities and activities available, and the type of care being provided. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the monthly fee includes many things beyond rent (utilities, meals, transportation, etc.), so be sure you’re comparing apples to apples.

Our Magnolia Manor cost calculator is a handy tool that makes it easy to compare costs to what you’re paying now and to the expenses among other campuses.

5. Think about Personal Preferences

• What kind of community (and where) will make you most comfortable?
• Do you want to be near family, or near an airport to facilitate visits?
• Do you prefer a vibrant urban setting, one that’s quieter or more rural?
• What sort of overall lifestyle do you want to have?

Make a list of all the factors that matter to you – those you consider must-haves, those that would be nice to have, and deal-killers you want to avoid. For example, here at Magnolia Manor, many residents especially appreciate our faith-based environment. This checklist will be invaluable in helping you pare down your options.

6. Ask For Recommendations

With preferences in mind, you’re ready to search online by state or city to find prospective communities. Referrals and recommendations can be a huge help, so talk to your friends, neighbors, your doctor or other medical providers, your pastor and church members – you never know who might tip you off to the ideal choice.

7. Plan Your Visit

This is critical – you can’t get a feel for the surroundings, the ambiance, or the people (both staff and residents) unless you see for yourself. Once you’ve identified your top choices, schedule a tour that includes a look at your prospective apartment as well as common areas and facilities, a chance to visit with current residents, and time to chat with staff. Visit at meal time, too, because you will experience the food quality and variety every day if you move here.

We love to show off our Magnolia Manor communities, so we encourage you to take a virtual tour. But, naturally, we want to meet you, too, so don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an in-person tour.