A residence for seniors remains the preferred option to guarantee seniors a fulfilling living environment and peaceful old age. Whether for a parent or for oneself, it is therefore important to carefully consider this choice. For this, here are 5 essential criteria that you must take into account in order to make the right decision.
Summary
The location of the residence for seniors
First of all, take into account the ideal geographical location of the residence for seniors.
Do you prefer a specific sector or region? Would you like an establishment near your current home in order to keep some of your habits?
Do you want to be closer to your children so that they can visit you more frequently? What type of environment will you feel most comfortable in? In town near amenities or in the countryside in a green environment?
The answers to these questions will help you choose the ideal location for your future retirement home.
The type of accommodation offered
In senior residences, three main types of accommodation are offered: the service residence, the autonomy residence and the senior village. Each of them has specificities regarding the type of assistance included. Similarly, depending on the formula chosen, the costs and particular constraints differ.
Autonomy residences
Also called home-housing, the autonomy residence is a residence for seniors not medicalized which welcomes people of the third age able to carry out the tasks of everyday life by themselves.
They are generally private apartments of the type T1, T2 or T3 equipped with modern furniture and means of communication. An assistance service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist occupants and help them if necessary.
Autonomy residences also offer their residents common areas such as entertainment rooms, green spaces and dining rooms. Most of them are located in urban environment close to essential services and shops.
Senior service residences
Senior service residences offer top-of-the-range services intended to improve the lives of residents.
They offer, among other things:
- A laundry service;
- A hair and beauty salon;
- Assistance for shopping;
- Assistance with housekeeping.
In addition, the offer of some of them includes guest rooms intended to accommodate the children or grandchildren of boarders for short stays.
The senior villages
This type of accommodation is mainly intended for seniors who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and rest in the countryside, without suffering isolation. They offer each resident an individual house or pavilion, empty or furnished, with a private garden or terrace.
These are calm and friendly living environments, conducive to relaxation and meetings!
Activities and entertainment offered by the residence for seniors
Senior residences are not places where you simply wait for time to pass. In order to maintain good health, residents needactivities adapted to their age and profile. These activities are also ideal times to meet other seniors with the same affinities.
Before choosing a residence for yourself or one of your loved ones, take a serious look at the entertainment and activities offered:
- Well-being coaching;
- Dance ;
- Drawing ;
- Gentle gymnastics;
- Cultural activities ;
- Tourist outings;
- Cultural outings ;
- Creative activities, etc.
Just ask to see the activity program to give you a clear idea of what is planned. Pay particular attention to the variety of activities, but also to their frequency. The ideal being that there is at least one activity per day. Indeed, the higher the number of events offered, the more dynamic the management team.
The security component, an equally important criterion
A residence for the elderly must be equipped with suitable protection devices as :
- Electric shutters;
- Grab bars in sensitive areas;
- Several presence detectors;
- Quality lighting.
In addition, it is also important to ensure that access to the portal is secure, day and night. Similarly, the residence must permanently have within its team, a person trained in first aid. All residents must also have a call medallion.
Read also: Mutual insurance for seniors: guide and advice for choosing the right one
The price, decisive criterion for choosing your residence for seniors
Obviously, the cost is one of the most important decision criteria in the choice of a senior residence. Generally, each type of residence has a base pricing policy. However, the amount to be paid then generally varies depending on the services desired. So it’s up to you to decide according to your means and your desires.
Finally, in order to validate your choice of residence for seniors, take the trouble tomake an on-site visit. Explore the premises, take an interest in the teams and meet the residents to ensure that the environment and services correspond to your expectations.
Read also: Onesie for incontinence: understand well to choose well
