How to Choose the Right Senior Living Community in Lake Mills
Wisconsin's population of people over the age of 60 is nearly 1.5 million, which is around 25% of the state's total population.
These numbers signal the need for more and more senior living options. As people age, it can become difficult to maintain a home, let alone enjoy the same kind of lifestyle. If you have a loved one in this situation, the time for senior living in Lake Mills might be coming soon.
Finding the right senior living community in Lake Mills can be difficult. The transition into senior living is overwhelming for everyone involved, so the more due diligence you do, the easier it'll be to single out the top options.
In today's post, we'll help you track down the perfect Lake Mills retirement community. There are plenty of options, so keep reading and you'll know what to look for and what sets LakeHouse Lake Mills apart from the competition.
What Does Your Loved One Need?
Before you begin your search, you need to ascertain what it is your loved one needs from senior care. There are different types of Lake Mills elderly care communities, each one geared toward the unique health needs of its residents.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are best suited for healthy seniors who need a change of scenery. If your loved one wants to downsize their living situation and enjoy an improved social life, an independent living community is the way to go.
These communities give residents a low-maintenance, but healthy lifestyle with plenty of social activities and in-house dining. They're almost like a dormitory for seniors, giving them everything they need, as well as independence.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is better for seniors who are struggling with the effects of aging. When your loved one has mobility issues or other health problems that prevent them from tackling daily tasks, assisted living can help.
These communities are staffed with helpful and compassionate professionals who assist with whatever residents need. It could be help with daily hygiene, taking medications, or performing exercises.
Memory Care
If your loved one suffers from Alzheimer's, they'll benefit from memory care. These services are much the same as assisted living, but staff are highly trained in navigating the complexities of cognitive decline. The community itself is more secure and programming is geared toward dealing with dementia symptoms.
What to Look for in a Community
Choosing the right type of care is the first step in finding the right assisted living in Lake Mills. Next, you'll have to consider the various perks that each community offers. Here are a few of the most important things to think about when searching for senior living communities.
Location
Location is so important for easing the transition into senior care. Finding a nearby community will ensure your loved one remains in familiar surroundings. It also makes it easier for family and friends to visit, which is another important part of the senior living transition.
Strong Reputation
Your senior living search should begin online with a Google search. Typing, "senior living community in Lake Mills" into Google will give you all of your options. From there, you can gain an understanding of which communities have the best reputations.
Ratings and reviews from loved ones of current and former residents can tell you more about a senior living community than the community itself. If there are any concerns about the quality of care or the state of the community, you'll find out in the reviews.
Use these to separate the top five communities from the rest. From there, schedule tours with your loved one to find out which one is most suitable for their interests and needs.
Qualified Staff
When you take tours of these communities, the most important thing to get a sense of is the staff qualifications. The quality of the staff will have a direct impact on your loved one's quality of life. They must be capable, but also compassionate and friendly.
The more in-depth the care is, the more important staff experience and quality become. For assisted living and memory care, staff are intimately involved in the lives of residents. Memory care, in particular, requires unique skills and expertise to handle the challenges of Alzheimer's and dementia.
Great Amenities
Amenities in a community make all the difference. When a community has great amenities, whether it's a pool or a beautiful garden, it brings joy to residents' daily lives. What types of amenities your loved one is interested in will certainly contribute to the final decision.
Daily Activities
Where amenities appeal to the interests of senior living residents, the activity calendar is what improves their mental, physical, and cognitive health. A good community will have a daily activity calendar with a rotating set of interesting activities, from Tai Chi and meditation to running and sports.
Find out what types of activities each community prioritizes. For instance, seniors need around 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week to build strength and stave off illnesses. They also need to stay sharp with games and puzzles, which can also help with socialization.
In-House Dining
Senior health also depends on a good nutrition plan. Top senior living communities have in-house restaurants with ever-changing menus that feature healthy and delicious meals.
All seniors need a balanced diet complete with vitamins and nutrients to avoid health issues, like osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. Make sure the menu offers diverse meals that adhere to residents' unique dietary requirements and restrictions.
Why LakeHouse is the Best Senior Living Community in Lake Mills
These criteria should help you find a great senior living community for your loved one. Putting the work into researching communities is so important in easing the transition into senior care. If you really want to make the transition seamless, you'll choose LakeHouse Lake Mils.
We have the best senior living community in Lake Mills, complete with dedicated staff, incredible amenities, fun activities, and amazing dining options. To book a tour of our community with your loved one, don't hesitate to contact us today.