Choosing an assisted living community is more than just a logistical decision—it’s about finding a second home where our loved ones can thrive and age in place.
Imagine your loved one, who has spent years dedicating time and effort to their family and community, now in need of a place that offers not just different levels of care but companionship and compassion.
We hope to guide you through the significant considerations and thoughtful steps required in choosing assisted living for your loved one, ensuring that they find not just support and security, but also an environment where they can continue to grow and thrive.
Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
First steps: Evaluating your loved one’s assisted living needs
Before choosing assisted living, it’s necessary to understand exactly what level of care your loved one needs, and will need in the future so you can make the right move to the best community.
This means assessing the physical, medical, and cognitive needs of your loved one and the financial aspects of your assisted living options.
Find a place where they can age in place—living in a community that can meet their evolving needs without having to move as they age, such as a Kensington Senior Living community, where the approach to care is comprehensive and adaptive.
Assessing your loved one’s healthcare needs: a checklist
Did you know that roughly two-thirds of American seniors require some form of daily assistance?
Evaluate your loved one’s fundamental care needs with this guide, centering on their physical, medical, and cognitive prerequisites, to pinpoint the most appropriate assisted living community.
- Mobility: If they need help moving around, Kensington Senior Living communities offer extensive mobility assistance for safe navigation.
- Medication management: Our communities ensure medication management by trained nursing professionals, allowing peace of mind regarding their regimen.
- Chronic conditions: With dedicated medical teams, locations such as The Kensington Redondo Beach and others are fully equipped to manage any chronic conditions.
- Memory loss level: Whether it’s early or advanced, communities such as Kensington Place Redwood City and others are tailored to individual memory care needs.
- Specialized care: our communities are designed to meet various specialized care needs, from early-stage respite care to advanced-stage care in unique environments.
- Budget: Kensington Senior Living offers a range of options, allowing choice and flexibility.
- Long-term affordability: Transparent pricing models allow families to plan for the future, ensuring sustained, quality care.
Choosing the right physical location that’s close to home
Selecting the right location is important when choosing an assisted living community for your loved one. Proximity to family and friends means more visits and support, creating a warm, inclusive environment.
However, when this isn’t possible, a lively, accessible urban location with close healthcare facilities and local hospitals is vital to keep residents active and secure.
Benefits of choosing a nearby location
- Frequent visits: Proximity allows for more regular, spontaneous visits from family and friends, which can enhance the resident’s mood and overall well-being.
- Quick response to emergencies: Living nearby allows families to respond swiftly in case of medical or other emergencies.
- Familiar environment: Being in a known area can make the transition smoother for residents, reducing the stress related to adapting to a new environment.
- Local network support: A local community implies a possible pre-existing network of friends and acquaintances, which can be comforting.
Exploring the different types of senior living communities
At Kensington Senior Living’s seven locations, we understand the varying needs of each individual, and we offer a range of living options to cater to each unique situation.
When selecting a community, consider your loved one’s current and anticipated needs, budget, and preferred location, ensuring they can “age in place” in a supportive and familiar environment.
Here, we provide an overview of the various types of senior living communities and healthcare options provided in our communities:
Assisted Living
Ideal for those who are mostly independent but require assistance with daily tasks and activities.
- Services include social activities, meal services, and medication management
- Suitable for individuals needing minor assistance
Enhanced Assisted Living
Offers a higher level of care for those requiring more extensive support and help with advanced medical needs.
- Services include comprehensive medical and mobility support
- Suitable for those requiring more extensive daily support
Memory Care
Specialized care for individuals experiencing memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, offering a secure and supportive environment.
- Services include structured activities, specialized staff, secure, supervised environment
- Suitable for individuals with advanced memory care needs
K Club (Early-stage care)
Temporary support service where caregivers can drop off loved ones during the day for additional memory care support.
- Services include daytime care and specialized activities
- Suitable for caregivers needing temporary support and those showing early signs of memory loss.
Assessing potential communities & investigating long-term care
When considering communities like Kensington Senior Living, it’s essential to visit, assess, and investigate to ensure the community aligns with your loved one’s needs and expectations.
Community visit & assessment checklist
- Arrange tours: Schedule visits and prepare a list of questions to understand the community better.
- Observe interactions: Pay attention to staff proficiency, their interactions with residents, and the overall atmosphere.
- Review testimonials & quality indicators: Investigate online reviews and any available quality of care indicators.
Amenities & future planning checklist
- Explore amenities: Consider dining options, recreational activities, and personalized care plans.
- Evaluate aging-in-place options: Explore communities that offer long-term care plans and the ability to age in place, ensuring that evolving needs can be met over time.
Making the decision and transitioning
Transitioning a loved one to a new living environment involves choosing the right community and managing the associated emotional changes with compassion.
Balancing the pros and cons of various communities and respecting their wishes is necessary, and professional advice can ease the complexities involved in the move. Such advice aids a smoother transition, addressing all needs and preferences adequately.
Post-move, ongoing support, and regular check-ins are vital to ensure the well-being of your loved one and help them establish a sense of safety and belonging within the new community.
Choose a Kensington Senior Living community for your loved one
Kensington Senior Living prides itself on offering top-notch assisted living and memory care support across seven locations in America, with some communities also offering independent living options.
Our communities are conveniently located in:
- Redondo Beach, California
- Redwood City, California
- Sierra Madre, California
- Kensington, Maryland
- White Plains, New York
- Falls Church, Virginia
- Reston, Virginia
Our journey began with a dedicated team aspiring to create a community where their parents could live and thrive, ensuring each resident feels valued, cared for, and at home.
It’s with this passion that we uphold “Our Promise” to love and care for your family as we do our own.
Reach out to us if you’re seeking a loving assisted living community for your loved one.
We look forward to answering all of your questions regarding our diverse range of communities or the healthcare options we provide.
We’re here to assist you in making the most informed and beneficial decision for your loved ones.