When you consider the unique needs of older adults, it should come as no surprise that over 800,000 Americans currently reside in senior care communities.

Moving loved ones into an assisted living community can be challenging, but getting them the care they need is the first step toward helping them thrive. Those looking for a nursing home in Orange, TX have a lot to consider, including:

Your individual needs
Online information and personal recommendations
The benefits of specific communities
What amenities and services are offered

Read on to learn how to choose an elderly care community the right way!

Know Your Specific Needs

There are several options for senior living in Orange, TX.

Among other things assisted living offers:

Help with bathing and dressing
Hygiene assistance (brushing teeth, using the bathroom, etc)
Housekeeping
Cleaning help
Cooking assistance
Medication management

Some seniors can also benefit from memory care, which is meant to help those with issues like dementia and Parkinson’s disease. These communities assist with:

Daily care tasks (similar to those in assisted living)
Sticking to a schedule
Remembering important events
Creating structure and routine
Managing medication and treatment plans

Respite care is a short-term option that offers help for:

Post-accident recovery
Surgery recovery help
Temporary disability
Chronic illness

Researching these care options lets you choose the best for your family’s specific needs.

You also will want to know your financial restrictions and budget. Choosing an assisted living community is worth the money, but it’s a monthly expense you’ll need funds for. Compare costs and make sure that you’re working within your budget.

Do Your Research

There are several ways to research assisted living in Orange, TX. Once you understand your loved one’s needs, you can start looking online for local care communities.

You should:

Find certified, high-quality communities
Review online ratings
Look at testimonials
Understand posted reviews on Yelp and other sites
Discuss issues and experiences with others on forums
Thoroughly examine nursing home community websites

Make sure that you tour any nursing home in Orange, TX before committing to send your loved one there. It doesn’t just afford peace of mind. It also ensures that you make the right choice to keep your loved one as happy as possible.

Prioritize Personal Care Plans

The most important thing to look for is personalized care. Good residential care in Orange, TX will create a plan that works specifically for your loved one. Because no two seniors have the exact same needs, help shouldn’t be treated as one-size-fits-all.

Compassionate care experts will sit down with new community members and their families. They’ll:

Listen to the new resident’s unique needs
Talk with the resident about how they can keep them comfortable
Discuss needs with families who have been caring for their loved one
Figure out what the new community member’s support needs are
See if there’s anything they can do independently
Come up with an adaptable plan for daily treatment

This ensures that everyone gets the precise treatment needed to retain a high quality of life. Plans are also easy to change and alter as new needs arise.

Amenities and Offerings

A nice living space is one of the most important parts of senior community comfort. Good apartments are a must-have for elderly care in Orange, TX, and you should look for spaces that have:

Top-notch building integrity
Comfortable beds and seating
Carpet floors
HVAC climate conditioning
Spacious closets
Storage space
Natural light
Window dressings
Compact kitchens, refrigerators, and freezers

Community amenities are also important. No one wants to spend all of their time inside an apartment – aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down! Check to make sure that your loved one can take advantage of:

Activity rooms
Lounges
Outdoor space
Scheduled transportation
Hair salon services

When assessing amenities, make sure that you think about key factors for senior comfort. Some things to make note of during a tour include:

Cleanliness
Good maintenance
Layout
Accessibility features
Spacious areas
Staff/resident ratios
Staff qualifications
Social spaces (lounges, outdoor seating areas, etc)
Meal quality in dining areas

A comprehensive understanding of apartments and shared community amenities ensures that your loved one can thrive rather than simply exist.

Safety-Related Amenities

Falls are a huge cause of injury among older Americans (65+). The CDC reports that over 14 million seniors suffer from falls annually.

An Orange, TX nursing home aims above all to keep residents safe in their communities. This means mitigating the risks of falls and other injuries.

Accessibility features should be at the heart of any community you seriously consider for your loved one. Wide doorways and hallways should accommodate walkers and wheelchairs. Grip bars and handrails should ensure safe and steady movement.

There also should be automated sprinkler and smoke detector systems.

Wheelchair ramps should get seniors anywhere within the community. They also should be able to comfortably leave on group outings. All community transportation should also have space for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

Understand Community Benefits

Finally, once you’ve narrowed your search down to one or two Orange communities, you’ll need to look more deeply into their benefits.

Senior living should offer:

A robust activities calendar
Socialization opportunities (game nights, movies, etc)
Chef-prepared meals
Pet-friendly amenities
Community outings to local areas
Wellness programs
Social/recreational clubs (like book clubs or crafting workshops)
The ability to meet others with similar interests
Opportunities for new experiences with guest lecturers and visitors

Compare and contrast offerings at all of your potential communities. Then, take steps to learn more about transitioning your loved one into a community that offers these many benefits.

Find a Nursing Home in Orange, TX

Now that you know how to choose a great nursing home in Orange, TX, it’s time to reach out to compassionate care professionals nearby.

Sabine Place is excited to provide personally tailored care plans to older adults in our community’s senior living in Orange, TX. Whether your loved one needs mobility assistance or memory care, our experts are fully trained and equipped to handle them with the care they deserve.