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When Should I be Looking at Senior Care Communities?

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By: Kathy Kappler

When should I start looking for assisted living, retirement homes and senior care communities in general?”

It’s a question we all must ask ourselves, otherwise, our children will do it for us.

In all seriousness though, it is important to look down the road and determine for yourself what your future care needs may be. If you have bad knees, a history of sports injuries, or even hereditary conditions, then consider what you might need help with in the future because – worst case scenario – you may not be able to communicate what you need when you actually need care.

The thing is, most people struggle to bring up senior care communities when they need it, so if you bring it up before you need to, then it doesn’t feel degrading, but more like a precaution; a roadmap for what to do in the future.

It’s Never Too Early to Look at Senior Care Communities

Currently, I’m working with a woman who does more in a week than most teenagers. Here’s a snapshot of her current weekly routine:

  • Attends Curves three times a week
    • When she’s not in Curves, she goes out on (at LEAST) a mile walk every day
  • Plays Bridge every Friday
  • Consistently attends the Red Hat Ladies functions

She is not disabled; she does not suffer from any mental condition. She’s an 87-year-old woman who is simply planning ahead and that’s great! Assisted living offers a wide range of senior care, so even if you don’t need help with the activities of daily living or someone to help you get from place to place, it’s important to look at your options so you can find a good fit before you absolutely need it.

Plus, as you might’ve read in Mary’s previous blog, The Quiet Crisis, experts in the field are discovering that fewer and fewer people are pursuing a career as caregiver. In addition, many senior care communities have a yearlong waiting list (in Washington alone). That’s not meant to scare you, just provide some perspective that it’s never too early to look for senior care communities.

Talk About Elder Care Before You NEED To

At Concierge Care Advisors, we’ve helped hundreds of families get the quality elder care they deserve, but it is always heartbreaking when we learn of a family’s situation where they’re panicked and stressed because they only have a few days to find the proper placement for their senior. They put their lives on hold to make sure their loved one is taken care of, but many don’t even know where to start since it’s not simply finding a home – as you might do with realty.

Finding the right senior care communities goes far beyond location, since you need to find out what kind of care they need, the staff to resident ratio, what the security is like, etcetera, etcetera.

For this reason, it’s important to have a discussion about elder care and not just with our care advisors who know the industry, but it’s vital to talk with your family members about senior housing too.

Believe me, it’s a far different conversation when you have three days to decide what senior community to move to and when you have three years. The latter conversation is inherently light-hearted because it’s not an impending or dire situation.

You don’t need to know the ins and outs of the industry – that’s what we’re here for – just be sure to plan ahead. It’s never too early to start looking either and as you can clearly see (above), my current client is in excellent shape. She puts most of us to shame and it just goes to show, you don’t need to be in need of senior care to start looking.

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Concierge Care Advisors

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Concierge Care Advisors

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No Cost for Families

Our services are entirely free for families. We are compensated by the senior living community or retirement community we refer to, allowing us to help all families with this important journey at no cost to them.

Boots on the Ground

We thoroughly vet every community and professional we work with, ensuring you receive the quality service you deserve. We set benchmarks that matter and only partner with professionals and communities that meet our high standards.

Personalized Choice

With personal relationships with over 2,200 senior living communities throughout the State of Washington alone, including assisted living communities, retirement communities, and independent living communities, we provide more than 2,000 senior living options.

White-Glove Service

You and your loved ones are our focus. From the moment we meet until the day your loved one moves in, we’re by your side every step of the way to ensure your family has the support it deserves. It doesn’t stop there either – stay connected for physician-informed guidance and knowledge to ensure your loved one is receiving the quality care they need.

Expertise Backed by Our Physicians Advisory Board

At Concierge Care Advisors, our team of Certified Advisors is enhanced by the insights and expertise of our Physicians Advisory Board. This panel of medical professionals plays a crucial role in shaping our senior care and transition services, ensuring they meet the high standards of quality and care that our brand is known for. With their guidance, we deliver a more comprehensive range of services, benefiting both families and healthcare professionals.

Our Physicians Advisory Board members actively share their knowledge with our community. They regularly contribute to #TheSeniorSpotlight Podcast, where they discuss critical topics in senior care, and publish thought leadership articles on our blog and in industry publications. Learn more about our Physician Advisory Board here

These resources are designed to help seniors and their families make informed decisions about care options, equipping them with knowledge and providing peace of mind regarding senior health and living options. 

Listen to our Physician Advisory Board on #TheSeniorSpotlight Podcast

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