There are around 650,000 Oklahoma residents over the age of 60 with that number estimated to jump by 20% in the next decade.
With these statistics, the need for senior living in Oklahoma City is obvious. If you’ve got a loved one experiencing the effects of aging, finding the right senior community can be a daunting prospect. Not all of these communities offer the same level of service or give residents a high level of satisfaction.
So, how do you ensure you’re putting your loved one in the best assisted living community in Oklahoma City?
In today’s post, we’ll explain what to look for in assisted living and what sets our community apart from the rest. Keep reading and you’ll be able to navigate this search with relative ease and get your loved one in the best possible community for their needs.
Consider Your Loved One’s Needs
One of the first things you’ll notice when you begin your search is how many different types of senior care there are. Choosing the right one is paramount to getting your loved one the services they need.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are the most basic form of senior care. If your loved one is relatively healthy but could benefit from a lower-maintenance lifestyle, this is the right choice.
These communities function more like dormitories for seniors. Residents get to spend leisure time around their peers, taking part in various activities and enjoying a variety of in-house amenities.
Assisted Living
When seniors start to exhibit signs of advanced aging, the need for more intensive care arises. This is what assisted living communities provide.
Residents of assisted living have unique needs that are met around the clock by compassionate and qualified staff members. Some residents might have mobility issues that prevent them from bathing and dressing, while others might have other illnesses that require daily medications. Staff provide customized services depending on your loved one’s particular needs.
Memory Care
If your loved one is among the seven million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, they’ll need memory care. This is a specialized form of assisted living where staff are uniquely qualified to deal with the challenging and evolving symptoms of cognitive decline.
What to Look For in Oklahoma City Senior Care
Knowing what type of senior care to look for is a great first step. From there, you need to have an idea of what you want in a community. Some of these criteria are subjective, but we’ve compiled a list of the most important factors to consider in senior care:
Location
Even when you find a great community for your loved one, the transition into senior care can be complex. Finding a community in a familiar location will make this transition easier.
When your loved one remains in comfortable and recognizable surroundings, it won’t feel like such a monumental change. Choosing a nearby community also makes it easier for family and friends to pay your loved one a visit, which also makes for an easier transition.
Reputation
To begin your search for local communities, type “assisted living OKC” into Google and see what shows up. The best way to separate the best options from the rest is to look at ratings and reviews from loved ones of former residents.
These reviews can tell you more about a community than the community could say about themselves. Look for red flags about staff and amenities, then choose a few of the top communities with sterling reputations to take tours of.
Qualified Staff
When you take tours of senior communities, you’ll have questions and concerns specific to you. One thing you can’t overlook on these tours is the qualifications and compassion of the staff.
Senior living staff are intimately involved in residents’ lives, even more so when you’re seeking assisted living or memory care. You need them to demonstrate a high level of compassion and capability. Talk to staff, as well as residents, to determine whether or not you can rely on the community’s staff to care for your loved one.
Amenities and Activities
The amenities in a given community are often enough to tip the balance of this big decision. Different communities offer different amenities, so whichever ones appeal to your loved one’s interests will put that community at the top of the list.
When visiting these communities, you should also look at the activity calendar. An activity calendar is a list of daily activities that residents can take part in. They should prioritize fun and relaxation, but they should also account for the health needs of the residents.
For example, seniors need around 150 minutes per week of exercise to maintain their health. At the same time, there’s a major mental health problem among senior populations.
Activities should incentivize residents to stay active but also encourage seniors to make connections. When seniors can socialize with their peers, they can lower feelings of depression and anxiety.
In-House Dining
Nutrition is another important aspect of healthy aging. As people get older, however, it becomes more difficult to gain the motivation to cook healthy meals. A good senior living community will make it easy to eat well with an in-house restaurant.
When touring communities, make sure to eat at the in-house restaurant and look at the menu for the week. It should contain plenty of healthy and tasty meals that change each day, accounting for the dietary needs and restrictions of a wide variety of residents.
Choose the Best Assisted Living Community in Oklahoma City
This guide will help you find the best assisted living community in Oklahoma. Choosing a senior community isn’t something to take lightly. You should take your time and methodically tour several different communities to figure out which one is the best fit for your loved one’s wants and needs.
Of all the assisted living options in OKC, the top choice has to be Morada Southridge. We offer all of the amazing perks mentioned above, including fun programming, fine dining, and amazing amenities. To take a tour of our community with your loved one, contact us today.
