Senior housing is difficult today, given COVID and the like. I was involved in some research recently, and wanted to share it with you.

Finding the right senior housing can overwhelm you with choices. To help ease your decision-making process, here's what I learned about senior citizen housing.

Assisted living is an option that helps seniors with assistance of daily living (ADL), including cooking, going to the bathroom, cleaning, and getting to scheduled appointments.

Seniors that need more care services than they can get at home will do the best in assisted living communities. This will relieve the pressure of caregivers in the home—be them children or hired nurses.

Senior residents are largely independent in these communities. This means that while assisted living provides care, it’s not round-the-clock care or supervision, which is more characteristic of nursing homes.

What you should look for in a good facility is a balance between care and independence. You want the ability to call a member of the staff when needed. A facility that encourages privacy and independence should be a priority.

Typical services include the following:

• Three meals a day served in a common dining area
• Assistance with bathing, dressing, house cleaning, going to the bathroom, eating, and walking 
• Transportation
• Laundry
• Exercise and wellness programs
• Medical management

When looking at your facility options, ask if the facility develops personalized plans for its residents, as a quality community will.

Make sure that the personalized plan meets your needs and expectations. Let them know of any disabilities to accommodate. Express what acts you can do for yourself.

There is, however, 24-hour support. This gives senior residents access to care no matter when they need it. These facilities are also safe and secure because the staff is present and available at all times.

Assisted living communities come in a variety of styles. Which one is best is a personal preference.

These communities are often housed in converted homes, apartment complexes, or renovated schools. Some facilities have apartment-style living with bedrooms, living rooms, private bathrooms, and kitchens. Others are a bedroom with an attached bath.

In some facilities, residents will have to share a room with private rooms available at a higher cost. Most facilities do, however, have large, communal dining areas. Common areas for social gathering and rooms for recreational activities are also standard.

The reasons that people opt for assisted living vary. This option may be right for you if you require more care than family or friends are able to provide. If you feel lonely or isolated, living around others in an assisted living community may alleviate that feeling.

If you have limited mobility or worry about your safety, this can help while still maintaining some independence. No longer wanting to maintain your home and losing the ability to drive are two other common reasons to choose assisted living.

I learned a lot by reading this detailed guide on assisted living.