Each year, surveys confirm that most seniors would like to age in place. For several reasons, that isn’t always possible. Widows and widowers may find that the family home is just too large for a single occupant. Disabling health conditions might make it difficult to climb stairs, prepare meals, or perform routine home maintenance. Rising property taxes may outpace a retiree’s fixed income.

Other seniors are happy to move. They might relocate to be closer to family members. Seniors who are tired of living in a harsh climate might want to spend their retirement years enjoying temperate weather. And as attached as retirees might feel to a family home, senior living communities often place amenities like golf courses within a few steps of the front door.

Choosing the right senior housing community takes research. Adult children are often in a good position to help their parents navigate the information they need to make that decision. The first step is often to ask what their parents hope to find in a retirement community.

Quality of Care

When seniors need assistance with their activities of daily living, they are likely to explore assisted-living facilities. A 2024 survey by U.S. News found that quality of care is the most important concern for seniors who are searching for an assisted-living community. The safety and security of residents was the second leading concern, followed by current and future affordability.

As a rough proxy for quality of care, seniors and their adult children should investigate the number of caregiving staff members who are available to residents at any given time. The ratio of staff to residents affects the availability of caregiving when the senior needs it.

Seniors who do not need help with their activities of daily living should nevertheless consider a retirement community’s proximity to healthcare services they are likely to need. A large majority of seniors want to live in a community that allows convenient access to high-quality healthcare services.

If retirees are on a Medicare Advantage plan, they may want to search for housing in an area that is serviced by their plan. If retirees must make routine visits to a doctor to monitor a health condition, they might want to choose a retirement community that is only a short distance from a clinic that can provide that service.

Lifestyle and Amenities

Seniors who want to live independently will typically search for a community that suits their lifestyle. They may want a community that celebrates their cultural heritage, offers opportunities for creative expression, or encourages active living with walking paths or exercise classes.

AARP reports that most older adults try to learn new things or develop new skills. Independent living communities typically offer multiple learning opportunities, from book clubs and guest lectures to technology training and pottery making classes.

The cost of residing in a senior living community is influenced by the number of amenities it offers. High-end communities might employ massage therapists and golf pros, but many seniors will be content with a community that offers several hobby rooms or community gardens. Matching the right amenities to a senior’s interests can help retirees choose the living environment that satisfies their unique needs.

The role of an adult child is not to force a parent to develop new interests, but to learn how the parent wants to spend her leisure time. Children can help their parents make housing decisions by identifying senior living environments that will foster a lifestyle that suits the parent.

Connections

The Census Bureau reports that nearly 30% of adults over the age of 65 live alone. National survey data shows that more than a third of seniors feel lonely, while almost as many experience social isolation.

Senior living communities promote interpersonal connections by offering communal dining, social events, and organized activities. Some seniors enjoy a game of cards while others are drawn to live musical performances. Cocktail nights, pickleball tournaments, and stargazing classes are examples of social activities that encourage lonely seniors to make new friends while having fun.

The best way to learn whether a particular community will promote positive connections is to visit. Walking through the grounds and chatting with residents will allow the senior to experience the community’s “vibe.” The tingle at the back of the neck that tells someone “I feel at home here” is a strong indicator that the senior has found a welcoming community and the promise of new friendships.