8 Questions to Ask When Looking for Assisted Living

1. What living spaces are available?

Luxury senior living communities provide residents with upscale residences that are spacious, well-designed, and aesthetically pleasing. As with choosing any home, you’ll want to start by seeing how well the community’s residences meet the needs of your lifestyle. See what floor plans are available and ask about how residents can personalize furnishings and décor. Check to make sure any potential mobility issues have been addressed with ramps, elevators, and handrails.

To make the transition as seamless as possible, you’ll want to have access to the same comforts you’ve enjoyed in your previous living arrangements. Whether it’s natural light, cozy lounge areas, or ample closet space, inquire as to whether the community offers everything you need to feel at home. Residents with pets should also find out what the policies are regarding when and where pets are allowed and what pet care options are provided.

You’ll also want to know what housekeeping options are available. Coterie, a luxury senior living brand with locations in Manhattan and San Francisco, offers weekly cleaning and laundry services, spot carpet cleaning, and daily residence upkeep. Coterie residences also provide the Coterie Smart Home system, featuring Amazon’s Alexa®, which allows residents to change the thermostat, play their favorite songs, or watch sports and movies in HD – all controlled by the sound of their voice.

Keep in mind that your health needs may change as you age. Ask what adjustments and accommodations the community can make to your living space should you require a different level of care.

2. What leasing arrangements are available?

Lease arrangements should be clearly worded in terms of pricing, term length, and renewal policies.

You’ll want to know what amenities are included in the lease. For example, a good luxury care community should include, among other amenities, three meals a day and transportation service in its pricing. Make sure the lease meets your lifestyle expectations so that you’re not having to constantly deal with extra fees or inconveniences.

It’s important to understand not only whether the lease meets your present circumstances, but also if and how it might be affected by any changes in the future. Is there a limit on how often the lease rate might increase? Are there fees if you decide to terminate the lease early? What happens if a change in your health necessitates a different level of care? These are all questions that should be asked before any paperwork is signed. You may want to consult your wealth management advisor about what options best suit your needs.

3. What levels of care are offered?

Levels of care are typically broken down into three basic categories: independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

For residents who are accustomed to living independently, luxury communities should provide services that allow them to continue their lifestyle with minimal interruption, like transportation for outings and errands as well as a wide selection of on-site social engagement opportunities to choose from.

Residents who require assisted living will want to be sure that the community and its staff can meet their specific needs, whether it be medication management, help with bathing or mobility, or 24-hour care.

Residents who require memory care will need more personal assistance from experienced and skilled caretakers throughout the day. Streamlined dining programs, thoughtful living spaces, and other special accommodations can maximize quality of life for residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

It’s important to keep in mind that a resident’s level of care may change as they age. You’ll want to choose a community that can adapt to your needs as seamlessly as possible and with minimal disruption to your life. You’ll also want to ask if more customizable levels of care are available. For example, is it possible for a mostly independent resident to get assistance with organizing and taking their medications?

4. What safety measures are in place?

Residents shouldn’t have to worry about safety in their new home – it should be something the community takes care of for them. Make sure you’re comfortable with the community’s level of security, staffing, and camera surveillance. Also, make sure the living and common spaces are designed with basic precautions to minimize the risk of falls and other common injuries. Coterie takes special care to ensure that residences and common areas are well-lit and free of tripping hazards to prevent falls.

It’s also important to choose a community that provides the level of medical care you need. Regular health assessments should be provided, along with clear communication to residents and their families. At Coterie, each resident receives a CarePredict® wearable wristband offering two-way communication with care staff, allowing for faster response time and resident reassurance in the event of an emergency.

Be sure to ask how many medical professionals the community has on-site as well as what their qualifications are. Inquire as to what measures are taken to address specific health concerns, like diabetes.

Finally, ask what precautions the community takes against COVID, seasonal flu, and other infectious diseases. What vaccinations are required? What protocols are in place if a resident needs to quarantine?

5. What amenities are offered?

Moving to a luxury senior living community shouldn’t disrupt your lifestyle. If anything, your new home should enhance your experiences as you age. Most communities provide amenities similar to those found at a high-end resort, including swimming pools, fitness centers, movie theaters, beauty salons, and spas.

During your tour, make sure the amenities cater to your interests and satisfy your expectations. Residents should have access to nearby safe walkable spaces, like gardens, parks, or waterfronts. Complimentary transportation should be available to residents throughout the day for personal outings such as shopping trips or evenings at the theater.

Coterie’s centralized New York and San Francisco locations provide a 24/7 attended lobby with concierge and doorman service as well as chauffeured car service for residents to make use of at their leisure.

6. What dining options are available?

Cooking and meal preparation can become more difficult with age. One of the benefits of luxury senior living is having elite chefs and kitchen staff on hand to take care of these tasks. Ideally, residents can experience exquisite fine dining every day without ever having to leave the building.

Ask about the philosophy of the culinary team. What steps are being taken to provide adequate nutrition? How wide-ranging are the menu options for each meal? How are allergies, vegetarian diets, and special requests accommodated?

Last but obviously not least, you’ll want to make sure the food tastes great. Arrange to sample some of the kitchen’s offerings during your tour to make sure the meals meet your standards. Coterie features several dining venues featuring a sommelier-led wine program and menus created in collaboration with Mayo Clinic.

7. What kinds of social opportunities can I look forward to?

Studies show that as we age, isolation and loneliness pose a greater threat to our well-being. Living in a thriving, socially vibrant community can be one of the most fulfilling aspects of luxury care. A tour is an excellent opportunity to meet current residents and get a feel for the community. Do residents seem happy, relaxed, active, and satisfied?

Be sure to inquire about social events and programs on offer to make sure they meet your expectations. A good luxury assisted living community should have a wide and diverse selection of engagements to choose from, including book clubs, yoga classes, concerts, movie screenings, and game nights.

And the staff should be able to assist residents in creating personal itineraries to make sure they’re enjoying their time to the fullest. For example, a given day might include breakfast on the terrace, an afternoon golf outing, cocktail hour in the lounge, and a movie in the screening room.

8. How does the community prioritize and enhance family visits?

Family time is obviously important to us as we age. The community you choose should offer sufficient opportunities for family visits. Coterie offers plenty of group activities for residents and their families, such as weekend brunches and Sunday football viewings.

Ideally, a good luxury retirement community should not only facilitate but enhance residents’ family experiences. Whether it’s art classes with the grandchildren on Saturday mornings or dinners on the terrace with the whole family, you’ll want a place that ensures your family visits are as rewarding as possible.

Regardless of which luxury assisted living community you choose, you’ll want to make as informed a decision as possible. Our later years should be a time when we relax with family members and enjoy a variety of enriching experiences. The ideal luxury assisted living community should give you ample opportunities to make the most of your time in a comfortable, elegant, and welcoming environment. Every day in your new home should offer something special and remarkable – something that satisfies your standard of luxury.