Over 16% of Maryland’s population is past the age of 65.
Having a loved one struggling with age-related health issues can be difficult for everyone. Of course, it’s hardest on your loved one, but it’s tricky for family members and other loved ones who are doing their best to help get them to appointments and make them as comfortable as possible.
At a certain point, choosing assisted living in Salisbury, MD is the right answer. In today’s post, we’ll tell you what you need to look for in assisted living and how to find a community that’ll give your loved one the quality of life they deserve.
Keep reading and you’ll understand the assisted living top features you must prioritize and what sets the best communities apart from the rest.
The Right Type of Care
The priority when you’re looking into senior communities is getting the right type of care for your loved one. There are a few different types of communities available and your loved one’s health and other needs will determine which one they should be in.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are best for seniors who want a more low-maintenance lifestyle but are otherwise healthy. These communities facilitate strong social connections between residents but don’t require staff to tend to their needs as much as assisted living.
Assisted Living
In assisted living communities, you’ll find seniors who are dealing with age-related health and mobility issues. For that reason, staff are available 24/7 to help with everything from housekeeping to bathing and dressing.
At the same time, assisted living offers a wide variety of amenities and activities to improve the physical and mental health of residents. The goal is to provide them with the tools to enjoy a relaxing and fulfilling life in the community.
Memory Care
If your loved one is among the 110,000 Maryland seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s, they’ll benefit from memory care. These function in a very similar way to assisted living communities, but are staffed with highly qualified professionals who are well-versed in the symptoms of dementia.
Good Location
The next thing to consider in your search is location. This matters for a few reasons. First, a community in a central location will have more local amenities for your loved one to enjoy. If they like shopping, restaurants, and local parks, you’ll want something in a good location.
At the same time, communities in sought-after locations tend to cost more because real estate is more expensive. If you’re on a budget, you may want to consider communities outside busy population centers.
Most important with location is your ability to visit your loved one. The transition into senior care can be overwhelming in the first few weeks and months. If your community is accessible to family and friends, they’ll be able to visit, which will help make the transition easier.
Good Reputation
Your search for assisted living should start online. Type, “best assisted living Salisbury” into Google and you’ll have all of your options. From there, you can assess each community’s reputation using ratings and reviews.
You can learn so much about a community from what loved ones of former residents have to say about it. If there are any red flags, whether it’s a lack of compassionate staff or poorly maintained amenities, you’ll find out in the reviews.
Choose a few of the most reputable communities and schedule tours to see them in person.
Quality Accommodations
The first concern on an assisted living tour should be the accommodations. A good community will offer multiple floor plans to accommodate your loved one’s budget and needs.
For example, Lakeside at Mallard Landing has several different floor plans for independent living, assisted living, and memory care. You’ll be able to choose the accommodation that best suits your loved one’s personal style and space needs.
Amenities
In addition to amazing in-room amenities, like in-suite washers/dryers and HVAC systems, there are community-wide amenities. These are available for all residents to enjoy at any time of day/night.
There are inviting common spaces, an on-site barber shop/salon, and beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces. Whatever your loved one’s interests are, we’ve probably got amenities for them to enjoy.
An Activity Calendar
A community’s activity calendar says a lot about how much it values the physical and emotional health of residents. Activity programming is important for boosting socialization between residents and ensuring they get enough physical activity.
Social isolation is a huge problem among senior populations. Our calendar features plenty of group-oriented activities that facilitate friendly interactions between residents.
At the same time, seniors need to get at least 2.5 hours of exercise per week. Doing so gives them a great chance of avoiding things like osteoporosis, heart disease, and unnecessary weight gain. We offer various fitness activities and classes throughout the day to help residents achieve their health goals.
In-House Dining
Nutrition is just as important as exercise. Great communities will have in-house dining options to ensure residents enjoy a healthy diet.
Our Sensations dining gives them a rotating menu of tasty and nutritious meals. If residents want to cook for themselves, it’s easy to do so in their fully equipped in-suite kitchen.
Safety and Security
Lastly, you always want to make sure your loved one is going to be safe and secure in a senior living community. The safety measures they put in place are essential for giving family members peace of mind.
A good community will be equipped to prevent falls and the injuries that result from falls. Seniors with cognitive issues will need certain security measures in place to prevent wandering, which is something six out of ten Alzheimer’s sufferers do at some point in their lives.
Get the Best Assisted Living in Salisbury, MD
These are the things to look for in assisted living in Salisbury, MD. When you find the right community, your loved one will integrate seamlessly and get the most out of their senior years.
Our community, Lakeside at Mallard Landing, is the top assisted living and memory care community in Salisbury. To book a tour and see all that we have to offer, contact us today.
