How to Find the Best Assisted Living for Veterans

Getting older doesn't mean slowing down. In fact, many seniors find that they're more active in their retirement years than they were when they were younger. When it's time to find an independent living community for yourself, it's important to find one that offers a variety of things to do each day and a vibrant group of retirees who like to keep active just like you. There are even assisted living communities that offer special programs and events for veterans.

Fortunately, there are many senior living communities that help to facilitate an active and healthy lifestyle for their residents. But with all the options available, choosing the right one for you can be a daunting prospect. What should you look for? How can you be sure that you'll make the right decision? Here are four steps to take when choosing an active and lively senior living community.

1. Think About What You Want Most

Retirement living means different things to different people. Are you more inclined to spend your days doing athletic pursuits? Or maybe you prefer to be out hiking trails and watching the native wildlife. Other seniors love the energy and cultural options of a big city, while others still enjoy art and enrichment classes. Make a list of the things you're most interested in having access to in an assisted living community — it will help guide you as you start your search.

2. Look Into What's Nearby

Many retirees want to stay close to home, while others prefer to move closer to grandchildren and other family members. Once you decide on a geographical location for your golden years, do a search for senior living communities in that area on SeniorAdvisor.com. Keep your list of activities handy so you can compare it to what different places offer. Also consider your budget as you look at costs, and look for reviews from residents. All of this information can help you narrow down your choices.

3. Visit In Person

Before you commit to a retirement community, go take a look for yourself. You'll get a guided tour by an employee, of course, but go a few steps further to really get a feel for the place. Talk to some of the people who live there to find out what living there is really like. If meals are served in a communal dining room, have lunch or dinner to see what the food is like. Take part in some of the available activities, and take a walk around the grounds to see if you'll feel at home there. Spending a few hours at each community you're considering can be immensely informative and help make your decision easier.

4. Pick One And Move In!

Once you're settled, start getting involved with different groups and activities - especially those that are geared towards veterans -  to help make your transition smooth. Take advantage of everything that's offered, and enjoy being active in your new senior community.

Start your search today - read reviews of assisted living in top cities:

Online Reviews of Assisted Living

Selecting a senior care provider or senior care service for your loved one can be a daunting task. Some primary caregivers are thrown into the role of caring for their parents unexpectedly, while others are gradually eased into taking care of their loved ones. With the growing number of online senior care review sites, we've partnered with the nation's largest resource for consumer reviews of assisted living: SeniorAdvisor.com.

SeniorAdvisor.com is a comprehensive online resource that lists consumer ratings and reviews of hundreds of senior care providers in both the U.S. and Canada. In addition to assisted living, the website can connect you with Alzheimer's care facilities, nursing homes, in-home care agencies, senior apartments, and residential care homes. The site also provides information about related senior care services and caregiving topics through their blog.

As the nation's largest senior living review site, SeniorAdvisor.com doesn't disappoint. The website has nearly 100,000 reviews and gets more every day from caregivers who have used this service for their parents or loved ones. However, the website makes sure to verify that the reviews are actually firsthand experiences of real people before publishing them.

Other benefits that make this online resource worth checking out are:

  • Thorough Explanations of Each Category – Once you select a category of senior care, you can go through a detailed description of what the service entails. Each page contains links for additional information such as facts on the service, how it differs from others, and its average cost. As a result, you can assess whether or not this is the right fit for your elderly loved ones.
  • News and Articles on Each Service – In an effort to help caregivers make the best choices, SeniorAdvisor.com provides the latest news as well as many blog posts. These educate both seniors and their children, highlighting the best facilities in top cities, what caregivers should ask from service providers, and how to counter everyday problems such as caregiver stress.
  • All the Necessities of Seniors Under One Roof – In addition to conventional senior care options, the website offers you the chance to pick from a range of special services your elderly parents may need. From light housekeeping to disability support and all the way to outdoor activities, these services are offered by professionals and companies with years of experience. You can filter these further by overall rating as well.
  • Senior and Caregiver Services – SeniorAdvisor.com truly understands the importance of making the right choice, which is why it allows members of its free service to save their favorite providers by clicking the heart icon. That way, they can go back to their list of favorites in their spare time and check out each option thoroughly. Later, once you choose a service provider or shift your loved one into a facility, you can easily receive updates from the business and stay in the loop.

SeniorAdvisor.com is definitely a great service to start your search for the best senior care service providers in your area. However, you may want to further screen the experts or facilities you shortlist by connecting with one of their local care advisors (available toll-free at (866) 584-7191) and by visiting the providers in person to ensure the comfort of your loved ones and the best value for your money.