Making the decision to move you parents into an independent senior living community is no easy call, even when it is in their best interest. It’s normally the product of several conversations between you, your parents and your family. Everyone is going to have questions, including you.
Here are the answers! Whether or not Friendship Village of South Hills is the right place for your parents, we want to help guide you through the process and make sure you know what to consider as you look for the Pittsburgh retirement community where they will feel at home.
Educate your parents on the benefits of independent living
Friendship Village is home to a performing arts center, a sports pub, a community garden and personal garden areas and a fitness center with a personal trainer. But it’s also so much more than its amenities, and it is up to you to help your parents see that. You may believe that independent living is in the best interest of their health and well-being, but they need to recognize that for themselves. The last thing you want to do is push them into making a decision they’re not comfortable with, so education is a critical part of the process.
It is also important to listen. You parents are going to have their own thoughts and feelings about moving to a senior living community, especially if they would be leaving behind a family home that they’ve shared for many years. It’s best to get their fears and concerns out in the open so that you can address them and provide them with guidance and reassurance.
We’ve found that one of the most rewarding aspects of independent living in our community is the meaningful relationships forged between residents. One visit to our campus and you’ll realize that the people are as important as any of the services and amenities. Help your parents understand the possibilities that await them among the people who would be their neighbors. They deserve a community that can provide them with kindness and companionship.
Find a provider for all of your parents’ health needs
It’s not always the case that both of your parents need the same level of care. The good news is that that is not a problem. At Friendship Village of South Hills, we can make accommodations when one half of a couple requires assisted living or memory care and the other is able to remain independent. One option would be to have them both share the same independent living apartment and have specialized care brought in into their home.
The alternative would be to have the parent in need of greater care moved into assisted living or memory care from the start, with your other parent occupying an independent living apartment. They may not be able to share the same living space, but both would be under the same roof and receiving the support each of them needs. Your parent in independent living would be able to visit their other half regularly and take comfort knowing that their significant other is being cared for by the trusted team members within our community.
Don’t shy away from conversations about cost
Transparency is critical when it comes to the cost of independent living. We understand that the financial aspect of moving to a senior retirement community can be a concern for many families, so we take great care to ensure we up front about the costs and fees. With the financials out of the way, you can focus on what matters most: the well-being of your parents.
At Friendship Village, our goal is to be surprise-free. When your parents move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), you will be charged a one-time entrance fee to help cover the cost of community operating expenses. Additionally, a monthly fee will be charged, the exact amount of which will depend on the size of their residence, the number of occupants and the services and amenities available to them. Housekeeping, transportation and 24-hour security are among the services that would be covered by the monthly fee.
You want to avoid signing on the dotted lining without knowing the total cost, all of the applicable fees and what exactly those fees are paying for as part of your parents’ care.
Resources are available to assist during the move
Moving can be challenging in more ways than one. There is the physical act of having to sort, organize and pack up your parents’ belongings, which can often be more time-consuming than you might think. Then there is the emotional aspect of moving, especially if your parents are leaving a home they’ve shared together for many years. Having to identify which of their belongings are going to accompany them to their new home can also be stressful.
But you don’t have to go through it alone. We have a move-in coordinator on staff who can help guide you through every step of the moving process and even offer real estate consultation if you wish, at no cost. Our team understands that moving can be physically and emotionally taxing, but we’ve also had enough experience to know that downsizing often provides residents with relief once the process is complete. We can help guide your parents to that point.
Settling into a new community can take time
Feeling comfortable in new surroundings rarely happens overnight, so it is important to have realistic expectations for how long it will take for your parents to get acclimated once they have moved into independent living. We all want them to feel right at home as soon as possible, but they need to go at their own pace. Our team at Friendship Village of South Hills understands this and is committed to providing every resident with the support and compassion they need. Current residents have also been through the same experience and make an effort to welcome with open arms, while also affording new residents the space they need during their adjustment period.
If your parents are ready to make the leap to Friendship Village, let’s talk. Fill out the form below or give us a call at 724-941-3100.
