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Explore the “softer side” of your senior living wish list 

Whether you’re making a grocery list for the week ahead or a packing list for the trip of a lifetime, lists are a great way to stay organized, keep tabs on our progress, and prioritize.

Lists may also come into play as you think about making a move to senior living — and many things you love about your life may naturally come together in your mind that way as you consider your next move.

But not every list contains only practical, tangible items. Here are some important items to consider as you think about what your ideal senior living community offers.

Your loved ones

Family and friends likely rank high on your list as you approach this decision. When you visit a community, ask yourself whether your family will feel excited to visit and spend time with you there.

A multigenerational family walks outside.

Are there great hotels nearby for your extended family when they visit, or perhaps even a guest suite at the community? What about family-focused activities for your grandchildren to enjoy?

Will your friends be able to visit for lunch, join you for a game of bocce ball, or meet up for an afternoon of shopping?

Let us help you keep your must-haves organized

Neighbors


In the 2017 Aging in Cities survey, commissioned by Welltower Inc., seven out of 10 respondents said the ability to meet new people is key in the community they choose.

What kind of people do you want to surround yourself with? Looking to meet your next golf partner or symphony seat mate within the community? Perhaps you’d like to meet another couple for double dates, or a group of ladies to enjoy happy hour with! Be sure you factor people into your list.

Staff & service

If your friends and neighbors are important to your everyday happiness, the employees and service staff you’ll encounter every day probably will be, too.

An employee carries golf clubs while talking to a resident.

As you tour a community, look around: Are staff members smiling and friendly, even toward visitors? Do they greet residents by their names?

Ask the communities you’re considering about their employee turnover and employee and resident satisfaction scores — those factors can tell you a lot about the staff and service they provide.

A little more food for thought

Looking for more help making your list that includes these considerations — plus more tangible things like location and amenities?

Our free downloadable tool is also printable, so you can take it along with you to every senior living community you visit during your search. You can use it as a checklist of questions that matter most to you, to help you evaluate the communities that best fit your needs.

Remember, we're always available to answer your questions or talk about how Vi could check off your big list of must-haves.