If your family has researched the benefits of assisted living, asked for referrals and had conversations with communities about availability and costs, you may believe you have a clear idea of your loved one’s next home.
But if you haven’t toured assisted living communities, you’re missing out on a vital piece of the decision-making process. Visiting a community firsthand provides an inside view of daily life – and insight into whether the community is a good fit.
Touring an assisted living community
It’s helpful to discuss and make a list of the most important features you’ll be looking for before your family tours the community. However, if you find your visits beginning to blur in similarity, that should be one of the first red flags.
Your loved one has unique interests, preferences and assistance needs. The best community is the one that recognizes the individual and provides a personalized experience.
Having a set of questions to ask can be invaluable in learning more about a community. At Bruceville Point, we put together a top ten list of questions. These can help your family understand a community’s philosophy of aging well, how independence and choice are valued and if residents are supported to help create the community they live in.
Top 10 questions to ask when touring an assisted living community
1. Do the residences provide an atmosphere of home?
You may see some residences barely larger than a room during your tour of assisted living communities. But at Bruceville Point, your loved one will reside in a beautiful, spacious apartment. Our homes are large enough to accommodate full-sized living and have the added distinction of a full-sized kitchen, walk-in closet and washer/dryer.
2. Is the community licensed to provide assistance with activities of daily living?
Some communities outsource their assistance services. Which means your loved one may have a rotating lineup of caregivers.
At Bruceville Point, we’re licensed and provide services in a resident’s apartment – delivered by compassionate and familiar faces.
3. What is the foundational model of the community?
Care-based approaches in senior living often can mean less attention is paid toward supporting residents to create a full and enriched life.
Bruceville Point prioritizes a lifestyle model, which focuses on how we can help residents live life on their own terms.
4. Will the activity program keep our loved one engaged?
When touring assisted living communities, you might discover only basic activities that can cause residents to spend more time alone.
Engagement positively influences physical, cognitive and emotional health. That’s why Bruceville Point has an Events and Adventures team that works with the residents to provide unique experiences that truly ignite interest.
5. How does the physical environment influence quality of life for the residents?
While touring assisted living communities, you may discover only basic common areas that don’t necessarily invite residents to join in.
At Bruceville Point, we created amazing inside and out spaces that welcome connection. You’ll see the difference as you tour our outdoor dining, gardening and gathering spots even for the pets.
Download our complimentary guide
Staying Home vs. Senior Living.
6. Does the dining program provide a robust experience?
Have you noticed similar dining rooms during your visits to communities? It’s often a missed opportunity to provide choices and encourage socializing.
We are all about choices at Bruceville Point and designed three separate venues and varied menu selections. Our residents have full-sized kitchens but when they want to leave the cooking to someone else, they have a choice depending on what sounds good.
7. What type of fitness program does the community provide?
Remaining in shape goes a long way toward ensuring good health, balance and strength. But often, communities don’t have a variety of classes or options to offer.
At Bruceville Point, we designed a fitness center and provide the expertise of a full-time fitness director who can guide your loved one to exercise without injury.
8. Do residents need to move again if their personal care needs change?
At some communities, if a resident’s health needs change, they are required to move – uprooting their friendships, familiarity and homes.
At Bruceville Point, we created assisted living as a service. If any of our residents requires daily help, either short or long-term, they can receive services in the privacy of their own apartment.
9. Could you provide examples of how the community encourages spontaneity?
A concern many older adults express about senior living is that their choices will be limited. They fear a regulated schedule and being told what to do.
At Bruceville Point, we know the value of spontaneity. It’s one of the most impactful features of living an independent life. We provide the opportunities and our residents make all of their own decisions.
10. Could we visit with residents during our tour?
When touring assisted living communities, those who live there are the best people to provide a clear picture of daily life.
Bruceville Point residents love being part of our welcoming team when we have visitors and can answer many questions your loved one may have.
Discover Life at Tenfold’s Bruceville Point
We created Bruceville Point to support our residents to live their best lives possible. Our community’s design, residences, activities and amenities are all focused on helping to connect, engage and create an enriched life.
If you’re searching for senior living that is different from the rest, we hope you will consider Tenfold’s Bruceville Point. We invite you to download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living. Contact us to speak to an advisor, or schedule your tour of Bruceville Point today to experience senior living and our community for yourself.
