Sometimes it starts with a gentle nudge from the kids: “Mom, Dad … have you thought about downsizing?”
Other times, it’s the parents doing the convincing: “We’ve decided it’s time for a little less housework and a lot more fun.”No matter who starts the conversation, exploring senior living options together can be both exciting and emotional. Touring retirement communities as a family is a wonderful way to discover what feels right, whether it’s an active maintenance-free lifestyle, a sense of belonging or simply peace of mind for the future.
If your family is ready to start the journey, here are some steps to help.
Starting the Senior Living Conversation as a Family
Before you begin scheduling tours, it’s important to start with honest and considerate communication. Even for those who believe the transition to an independent living community is the start of an exciting new chapter, conversations about the move can still be emotional for the entire family.
Create an Open and Supportive Dialogue
It may help to acknowledge that this can be an emotionally charged conversation. Change is hard for everyone, and parents and adult children both have viewpoints. Understanding each other’s concerns and thoughts about the future will benefit the discussion.
To keep the conversation going:
- Ask open-ended questions
- Let each person talk without interruption
- Frame discussions around the older adults’ living needs and focus on the benefits of senior living
- Respect each person’s position
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Identifying What Matters Most in a Senior Living Community
Every family’s priorities are different. Some older adults value vibrant social programs and lifelong learning opportunities, while others may prioritize proximity to family or healthcare access.
Take a moment to think about what is important to you or your loved one in everyday life. Is it vital to have a yard, a pet or a spare bedroom? Make a list of everything you want and everything you need in a senior living community. Do your needs outweigh your wants? Can you find a place that fulfills both? Asking these types of questions can help the family discover what truly matters most.
Consider Lifestyle and Amenities at Life Plan Communities
There are many different types of senior living communities. Each has its own personality and services. No two retirement communities are exactly the same.
Even within our PSL family, each community offers its own focus, amenities, culture, size and location. Here are several items to consider when you think about your retirement lifestyle:
- Wellness Programs. Every community approaches wellness programming differently. At PSL, we believe wellness is much more than physical fitness activities. Through our resident-driven Thrive Wellness program, we strive to create a culture that nurtures the six dimensions of wellness
- Life Enrichment Activities. There’s plenty of research that shows how important socialization is to healthy aging. Not only does it reduce the incidence of depression, but staying social can also protect cognitive health and lower the risk for some chronic diseases.
- Dining Programs. Senior living communities can offer diverse dining experiences to suit a variety of tastes, preferences and needs. Is formal dining important? A pub atmosphere or casual take-away? Do you like flexibility in dining or do you prefer a regular schedule?
Senior Living Community Locations
You can find communities in a city setting or sprawling campus-style communities with nature trails. Before selecting an independent living community, you’ll need to decide on the setting that best suits your interests and needs. While retiring to a peaceful rural area might sound nice, will you have access to everything you require? By contrast, if you’re thinking about an urban location for health facilities, but you’ve always enjoyed the suburbs, will that really feel like home?
Here are a few questions to keep in mind as you consider location:
- Are there nearby options for quality medical care and physicians
- Will transportation services be easy to access?
- Is the location convenient for family and friends to visit?
- What feels like home to you?
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A Full Continuum of Care on Campus
As you discuss future retirement living options, this is a great time to consider current and future needs. A Life Plan Community (also known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC) offers the advantage of a continuum of care, all on one campus. That means older adults can enjoy independent living today, with access to personal care, memory support or skilled nursing service later, if needed. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a plan for your future is priceless. If your needs for care and support change over the years, the community can accommodate those changes.
Carey N., the daughter of a resident at Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, PA, shared, "Our mother started in independent living for 10 years, then, due to health issues, moved to Skilled Care and has been in Personal Care for three years.
"There is cooperation, coordination and an esprit de corps across the board, with support in all departments and team members."
Researching and Narrowing Down Senior Living Options
Once you’ve identified what’s important for your family, begin researching communities that align with your priorities, wants and needs. Just like any other time of your life, retirement living is not one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding the right fit for your family. With wants, needs and lifestyle identified, it’s time to start researching!
Use Online Resources and Real Feedback
In today’s digital age, many people begin the search for retirement living by turning to online sources. PSL has created a guide, What to Expect When Researching Life Plan Communities, that includes a section on conducting online research.
These tips include:
- Explore options in your targeted cities
- Visit each community’s website and social media. Pay attention to lifestyle offerings, dining and available health services
- Use online learning center resources to self-educate
- Check out floor plans and virtual tours but still plan personal visits!)
Don’t hesitate to call and ask questions about pricing, amenities and availability. Using online research, narrow your search to a few communities that best fit your family’s goals and schedule visits to see those communities in person.
Preparing For and Making the Most of Senior Living Tours
Touring a community in person is the best way to get a true sense of daily life. When scheduling visits, plan enough time to explore at a comfortable. In addition, creating a checklist together will make the process more organized and ensure nothing important is overlooked. Complete the checklist for each community you’re considering, then compare answers between communities … and between each other’s results. This can provide valuable insight into overall impressions, services, community life and finances as everyone evaluates the next step in your family’s journey.
What to Look for During a Retirement Community Visit
During each tour, pay attention to:
- The friendliness and attentiveness of team members and residents
- The overall atmosphere: was it warm, welcoming and well-maintained
- Dining areas and meal quality
- Activities calendars and social opportunities
- Outdoor spaces, walking paths and amenities
If possible, join a resident event, enjoy a meal in the dining room or speak directly with residents about their experiences. These moments often reveal what brochures and planned tours can’t capture.
How Adult Children and Parents Can Both Be Involved in the Senior Living Tour
Adult children and parents can encourage each other to take an active role with each visit to a life plan community. Discuss the following:
- What did you like most about the community?
- What did you like least about the community?
- What felt most comfortable there?
- What questions do you still have?
- What would you still like to see or experience there?
Make sure everyone takes notes, or completes the Checklist, then discuss together after each tour to compare impressions.
Comparing Senior Living Options and Understanding Costs
Misconceptions about the pricing and affordability of senior living are numerous. It’s easy to understand since there is a range of different pricing structures. When comparing one community with another, be sure to clarify what is and isn’t included. Also, ask about any additional fees that may be expected each month.
At PSL, our independent living life plan communities offer maintenance-free living in a variety of settings. Amenities typically include basic cable, utilities, dining plans, chaplain services, beauty/barber shop, recreational activities and wellness programs. High-speed internet access is also available. PSL believes in transparency in pricing and each community website includes overview packets that include current prices.
What’s Included at a Life Plan Community
The monthly fee at a senior living community includes housing, utilities, maintenance, security, meals, transportation, activities and access to future care. PSL’s publication A Guide to Senior Living Pricing outlines a variety of topics related to the costs of senior living, from price ranges to financing solutions.
Senior Living communities offer predictable senior living costs that make long-term retirement planning easier. The peace of mind from knowing your housing, care and lifestyle needs are covered is valuable for both residents and family.
When you look at the full picture, senior living can actually save you money compared to aging in place. The hidden costs of aging in place add up quickly. You need home repairs, lawn care, rising property taxes and, eventually, outside caregivers. You might also face costs from isolation, poor nutrition, medication mistakes and delayed medical care.
Cletus and Dorene, residents at Green Ridge Village, Newville, PA, shared, “It’s been a financially good decision to move here because we don’t pay taxes, building. Maintenance, homeowner insurance, water, sewer, snow removal or lawn maintenance as we did in our former home.”
Making the Senior Living Decision – Together
Once everyone has narrowed their choices, it’s time to reflect as a family. Visit your top choices again. Visit for a meal or a special event. Talk to residents. Walk the campus to confirm it’s the right fit. When everyone feels comfortable, celebrate the decision. It’s the first exciting step toward vibrant retirement living.
With the right research and communication, your family can have an experience like Jeanne, a resident at Westminster Village, Dover, DE:
“Moving to Westminster Village was the best decision I ever made. I love my apartment and never having to worry about maintenance or paying for utilities and cable. There are so many activities my calendar is always full of stuff to do. My favorite thing about living here is the great staff and all the friends I have made.”
Discover Life at PSL
At PSL, our Life Plan communities offer a warm, welcoming environment designed for active living today and peace of mind for tomorrow. We invite you to discover the community best for you, then schedule a tour to experience firsthand how residents are living life to their fullest.
