No matter where you are in the U.S., here's good advice when researching senior living communities. Leon Grundstein, Founder and CEO of GenCare Lifestyle, and Danielle Parker, their COO, join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders radio show. Leon talks about the questions people should ask and things they should look for in a senior living community. Danielle talks about looking at reputation scores and online reviews, but also points out that a community should be asking you about your values, interests, and wishes too.

Leon says, "In my opinion, when you walk into a community, the first thing you want to see is activity. You want people out and about, talking to each other, doing stuff, because that is an indicator of what kind of energy is in the building. The most people want activity. You want to be in a place where you can hang out and have fun and meet people and socialize.

"Second is when you engage with staff members like the housekeeper or even the maintenance guy, when you walk by, do they say hi or do they look at the floor? So you want them to engage with you.

"You want to have a meal there. See what the food’s like. You want to meet the executive director, because you can get a feeling of how the leadership is in the building."

Danielle addresses what to look for in online research. "Looking at reputation scores, of course, reading reviews online, are critical to know what the current residents and family feel about the community. Looking at any compliance information that's available online. Most cities and states have public information about the care and wellness services that are being provided at the community.

"But I think the one of the most important things is, really, pay attention to the questions that you're being asked. The first time you go, how well are they working to get to know you and your needs as a person? [Do they ask] what does your day look like? What's important to you? What do you value? What are your traditions, and how do you spend your holidays and days at home? And and what do you want to do, if you could do anything? You really want to find a community that matches those values and aligns with who you are as a person, who you aspire to be as a person, and is ready and willing to partner with you on that journey."

Learn more at gencarelifestyle.com.

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