What is Senior Living?
Are you newly retired and wondering where to start with retirement living? What should your senior living priorities be?
Where do you start, what should you look for in senior living, and what questions should you ask?
The first thing to look for in your new home is location. In what city and neighbourhood would you like to live? Do you want to move closer to where your children or grandchildren are living?
Next ask what services and amenities are offered. Does the senior community support your social, physical and intellectual interests? Is the culinary program in keeping with your lifestyle and expectations? Is there a diverse menu; is the food appealing and nutritional; are there appealing wine and beer choices and choices in dining including indoor and outdoor environments?
Is there a gym, exercise classes, music program and intellectual stimulation? Will the community support an independent lifestyle; can supportive living be added as needed without having to move? Is there licenced care, including aging-in-place for end of life?
Ask about the building features. Are the building features senior friendly, without making the community feel institutional? For example, is there aesthetically pleasing grab bars in the bathroom, motion sensor lighting and wider doorways. Look for safety and security features like a 24-hour concierge, emergency call system and CCTV.
Asking questions about the location, amenities, culinary program, activities and building features will go a long way in helping you decide if a senior living community is for you.
The Aquara by element development is a harbourside community in Songhees in Vic West.
Aquara is unique in Victoria for their choice of either purchasing or renting in an aging-inplace retirement community. Upon completion, Aquara will offer 47 condos, 75 rental suites and 35 care units. Aquara Discovery Centre is open at: #110 – 645 Tyee Rd.
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