Eskaton Blog

There are a number of options for senior living in Northern California. In fact, the sheer amount of options can make the prospect of making a choice feel overwhelming. The good news is that it is relatively easy to narrow down your choices based on your particular needs and wants. Senior living communities are separated into categories based on the type of care offered. Four of the main options are independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and continuing care retirement community (CRCC). Once you know the details of what each type of community offers you can use that knowledge to help you make a decision.

Miriam-Webster dictionary defines an amenity as something that helps to provide comfort, convenience, or enjoyment. Modern senior living communities offer residents a wide range of amenities that fit within this definition. This is great news if you are thinking about moving into senior living because it means you can have high expectations for any community you consider. You should expect amenities related to health care, lifestyle, and social interactions at the community you choose.

Northern CA is a wonderful place to live. The natural beauty, temperate weather, and rich history make this region an excellent choice for retirement. But, California is also known to be an expensive place to live when compared to other parts of the country. If you are in retirement and want to stay in Northern CA then you must consider the cost of your living arrangement. Two of the most common living arrangements for senior adults are senior living communities or staying at home. Both of these options come with costs. You will have to compare real numbers in order to decide which of these options is best for you.

A Love Story Kindled by 90 and 91-year–old

In 2017, Betty Mills, 88, moved to Eskaton Lodge Granite Bay from Red Bluff to be closer to her daughter. The first Sunday after she moved, Betty gathered the courage to go to church with her neighbors. As she was waiting for the bus, Betty locked eyes with a man sitting on a bench outside the community.

As you help your mom make plans for her care as she ages you will need to consider a number of factors. The first factor you should consider is the type of care she needs. There are several options for senior care and they are categorized based on the level of care they provide. Once you have an understanding of what your mom needs you should start to look at what she can afford. You can determine if your mom can afford a senior living community by looking at her financial resources and comparing the costs of staying home to that of assisted living. 

Some aging adults struggle with the idea of moving into a senior living community. There are a lot of changes that come with leaving home and going to assisted living. These changes can be very positive for your parents. Many seniors find that moving into a senior living community provides them with peace of mind, opportunities for social interaction, and a whole host of desirable amenities. If your parents fail to see these benefits then they may be against the idea of making a move. If your parents don’t want to move into a senior living community there are some steps you can take to help them look at moving as a viable option. Start by listening to their concerns about moving. Spend some time talking about the benefits of senior living communities. And, accompany them on community tours once they open up to the idea.

One of the biggest concerns aging adults have when considering a move into a senior living community is cost. People often ask ‘what can I afford?’ before they think ‘what type of care do I need?’ It is important to think about cost but you must factor your needs into the decision making process. Do not write off the possibility of a senior living community before you really dive into the costs of different types of senior care. The reality is that staying in a senior living community could be the most cost effective option when you factor in things like home maintenance, in-home care, transportation costs, and the value of the amenities offered in assisted living.

Going into your search for a senior living community with a list of important questions will ensure that you get the answers you need. When you have all of the relevant information you can compare options and make the best choice for you. There are some questions that you should ask yourself: ‘What level of care do I need?’ and ‘What amenities do I want?’ When you know the answers to these questions, you can look at what specific communities have to offer. When you have a list of potential communities you can dig a little deeper into each place and ask: ‘How much does this community cost?’ and ‘What makes this community stand out from the others?’ Getting the answers to all of these questions will put you in a position to make this important choice for your future.