Where to Begin

How Do I Find the Right Senior Living Community?

So you’re ready to do your research, weigh your options and make a decision. While the journey can be difficult at the beginning, once you’ve decided that senior living is right for you, you might feel some relief.

But what happens now?

Next is picking the right community for you. We’ve got years of experience helping seniors find the perfect fit, we have a few tips and tricks to make the process as smooth as possible.

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Senior Living Community

There are several things you need to think through before you make a final decision on your next place to hang your hat. But don’t worry. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find the community that’s right for you.

Start by discussing your decision with your children.

You may want to explain some of the reasons that led you to this decision. Maybe you’re concerned about your health and safety, you want to downsize, or you like the idea of having more opportunities to engage in interesting activities and events in a community atmosphere.

If they have a negative reaction or seem caught off guard, take the time to explain what you’ve learned and share all the benefits you’re looking forward to experiencing.

Get help having the conversation.

Start by discussing your decision with your children.

If they have a negative reaction or seem caught off guard, take the time to explain what you’ve learned and share all the benefits you’re looking forward to experiencing.

Get help having the conversation.

Think about the kind of lifestyle you want.

The next step is envisioning the kind of lifestyle you want. This means thinking through everything from the level of care you need down to the amenities on your wishlist. Perhaps you have spent the last few years wishing you lived closer to your grandchildren. Maybe you’ve always known you want to spend your retirement years improving your golf swing or working on your novel.

There are a lot of things to consider, and your wishlist will look different than someone else’s. Some of the key details to consider are geographic location, the level of care you need and the amenities you want most.

Think about the kind of lifestyle you want.

Determine your budget.

There are options for a wide variety of budgets and a variety of ways to save on senior living. You might be suprised to find that your current living expenses are similar to the cost of senior living if you include the various amentities covered by your costs—in many cases, you can say goodbye to gym memberships, utility bills and grocery prices.

This is a complex topic and your situation is unique. You can read all about the cost of senior living on our Financial Considerations page or call to speak with a Brookdale associate for information tailored to you.

Here are some resources for financial planning.

Determine your budget.

Here are some resources for financial planning.

Make a list of your top choices.

Once you know what you need, it’s time to start looking at communities and narrowing down your options.

We have an online search feature that makes it easier than ever to explore our Brookdale communities and see what we have to offer. We provide different care levels and have locations in many parts of the country—you’re bound to find a great fit no matter what your circumstances and budget are.

Find a Community

Make a list of your top choices.

Once you know what you need, it’s time to start looking at communities and narrowing down your options.

Find a Community

Visit the communities on your list.

Seeing a space in person will give you a better sense of what could be your new home. During a tour, you can meet potential new neighbors and staff members, potentially explore apartments and check out amenities directly.

If you’re looking for communities in another part of the country and cannot visit in person, we encourage you to call each location and speak with one of our friendly associates.

Visit the communities on your list.

If you’re looking for communities in another part of the country and cannot visit in person, we encourage you to call each location and speak with one of our friendly associates.

How Do I Tour a Community?

How to tour a community

Seeing a community in person helps you picture what life could be like there. Make a short list of places to visit based on location, care level and what matters most to you—like pet policies, outdoor spaces or nearby family.

While you tour:

Ask about daily life, dining, apartment layouts and social events
Learn about staff support and senior routines
Take notes so you can compare communities later
Bring someone with you if that feels helpful

The right community should feel welcoming and easy to imagine as home.

How Do I Tour a Community?

How to tour a community

While you tour:

Ask about daily life, dining, apartment layouts and social events
Learn about staff support and senior routines
Take notes so you can compare communities later
Bring someone with you if that feels helpful

The right community should feel welcoming and easy to imagine as home.

Should My Kids Come With Me on a Tour?

Letting your children in on the decision can help everyone feel more at ease. Invite them to:

Join you for a community tour
Help create a moving plan
Attend an informational session with a Brookdale advisor

They may see it as an invitation to join your journey and share in the plans for the future.

Should My Kids Come With Me on a Tour?

Letting your children in on the decision can help everyone feel more at ease. Invite them to:

Join you for a community tour
Help create a moving plan
Attend an informational session with a Brookdale advisor

They may see it as an invitation to join your journey and share in the plans for the future.

What Life Is Like at Brookdale

Part of picking a senior living community is feeling confident that you’re going to find the lifestyle you want. Here’s a look at what you can expect out of your future senior living home base.

Spacious Accommodations
Most of our locations have multiple apartment floor plans so you can choose the layout that best suits your lifestyle. Each one has an abundance of natural light and ample storage space so you can bring along any prized possessions or family heirlooms that will make your new space feel just like home. You can even choose between a private or companion suite, depending on your budget or the amount of social interaction you crave.

We understand that your animals are important members of the family—many of our locations are pet-friendly. To be on the safe side, it’s always good to check with the individual campus before you start packing up all of Fido’s toys.

Fun Activities
You can expect to find a packed community social calendar at Brookdale communities. After you move in, you can play an active role in choosing what shows up on the agenda. Whether you want to jumpstart your day with a workout or have a loved one who could benefit from brain-stimulating games or a round of dominos, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

We even provide a series of signature programs that are exclusive to our communities. Learn more about those here.

Quality Dining
We all know that a great meal is one of life’s greatest pleasures. While each community has its own dining programs, residents across all of our care levels can enjoy restaurant-style dining with chef-inspired meals in beautiful dining rooms designed to feel warm and inviting. Each day is an opportunity to savor flavorful and nutritious meals, from appetizers and entrees to desserts.

We go even further to make those in memory care feel as comfortable as possible, providing a wide range of dementia-friendly dining features, including members of our compassionate care team on deck to assist anyone who could use a little extra help.

Passionate Staff
Our care team is very involved in the day-to-day lives of our residents. You'll have staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be alerted to an emergency. We make a point to hire people who are passionate about service and being a part of our community. We provide our staff with ongoing training opportunities. We think you’ll notice each team member is willing to go above and beyond for you and your family.

Social Connections
Studies have shown that many seniors who live alone struggle with feelings of depression due to social isolation. That’s one of the big reasons some of our residents chose to move to a community in the first place. Life at a senior living community presents a wonderful opportunity to connect with people who share your common interests. And because we have so many activities, from dancing lessons and storytelling to cooking classes and book clubs, you’re bound to find people who share the same passions as you.

How Can We Help?

We’d love to help walk you through the process and share a few of our senior living options, so feel free to give us a call. We’re always here to listen, and we’d love to help you find the perfect fit so you can enjoy the retirement of your dreams.

Speak with a Senior Living Advisor today! Call 855-350-3800.

What Level of Care Do I Need?

Understanding senior living begins with understanding the different types of care available.

Learn More

When is the Right Time for Senior Living?

How do you know when the time is right to explore your senior living options?

Read Now

See our communities and get pricing

Fill out the form to unlock pricing for our senior living communities. Then, you can head to a community page to learn more.

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