Independent living. Assisted living and personal care. Memory care. Navigating the maze of senior living options can be overwhelming! Combining reliable recommendations from a variety of trusted sources helps to build a more complete picture of the senior living community so you can make the decision with confidence.
Start by making a list of what you want and need from your new home. Here are a few wishes we typically hear from prospective residents:
“My husband and I live independently but do not want the constant maintenance headaches of our current home ownership. We would like to find a place where we can socialize with others our age.”
“My husband has Parkinson’s disease and needs assistance with activities of daily living. I have been his caregiver for the past two years and am concerned about my continuing ability to care for him. We are seeking a place where we can be together and have our individual needs met.”
“My brother, sister and I are investigating for our mother who is falling quite often. All of us work full-time and cannot continue to attend to her physical needs.”
Family, friends and clergy
When you begin your search for your new retirement home, start by talking to the people who know you best – your friends, family and clergy. After all, they are likely to understand what type of home suits you. Being familiar with the area, they likely know what communities are nearby and may even have experience with those senior living options.
Turn to trusted advisors
Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals can often suggest communities that can accommodate your unique health care needs. A doctor’s referral can help clarify your needs when assessing senior living options to ensure a great community fit.
Other advisors may include financial planners, elder law attorneys and insurance agents. Often these professionals have additional perspectives from working with their senior clients.
Seek out community organizations and other resources
Senior centers, veterans organizations and community aging resources can help you discover what senior living options are available in your area. Ask around. You may discover senior living options that are new to you or get valuable insight from a different perspective.
Current senior living community residents
Who better to ask about what life is like in a retirement community than current residents and their families? You don’t have to know anyone at a senior living community to benefit from their experiences. For prospective residents, tours offer an opportunity to talk to people who live and work in a community. Conversations are typically more relaxed, and residents may offer insights that are not included in more formal reviews and recommendations.
The US News & World Report Best Senior Living
The US News & World Report Best Senior Living designation is another indicator that represents overall satisfaction with a community based on survey results from current senior living residents and their families. Only communities with the highest scores in each category that met survey participation and completion requirements received the recognition. Questions focused on safety, caregiving, management, staff, food and dining and activities. Each of Country Meadows’ campuses were recognized as a US News & World Report Best Senior Living community in at least one category.
Why not see for yourself? Senior living options in Pennsylvania and Frederick, Md.
Of course, the best way to learn more about a senior living community is a personal visit. At a Country Meadows campus, meet residents and staff, maybe even choose to participate in one of the many scheduled activities. Stroll the grounds and experience what life in the community is like. You may even choose a trial stay to truly immerse yourself in the Country Meadows hospitality.
Country Meadows Retirement Communities has campuses in Pennsylvania and Frederick, Md. Senior living options include independent living, assisted living/personal care and memory support services. Schedule a personalized visit today to see why U.S. News & World Report rated Country Meadows communities as Best Senior Living options in 2024.
Country Meadows
