As your parents age, staying in their long-time home can become challenging due to physical, emotional or financial strains. That is usually when families begin considering moving to a senior living community. Transitioning a parent out of their home is an emotional journey, so finding a senior living facility that feels safe, comfortable and welcoming is essential.
But while most families naturally compare care levels, location and pricing, one critical factor often goes overlooked: community size and total resident population. “One size doesn’t fit all, especially now that senior living has become more individualized with more choices,” says Matthew Hollinghead, executive director for NewBridge at the Charles in Boston, a Hebrew Senior Life community. Whether you’re looking for a small residential care or board and care home, a smaller assisted living community or a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on a large campus, don’t underestimate the importance of size in your decision.
“It’s important to consider size options that align with your parent’s personal preferences and lifestyle and to consider in the process not just what their needs are now, but what they will be as they continue to age,” says Elissa Sherman, president at LeadingAge Massachusetts, a trade association representing nonprofit providers of housing, healthcare and services for older adults. Decoding Senior Living Sizes: The Bed Size Standards (BSL) Residential care communities are grouped into three bed-size levels: Community Tier Bed Count Common Industry Names Best Suited for Seniors Who: Small 4-10 beds — Residential care homes — Board and care homes — Adult foster care homes — Group homes — Personal care homes — Need personalized care, high supervision and a quiet environment — Value a home-like atmosphere and need a higher staff-to-resident ratio — Dislike institutional settings and are looking for tight bonds Medium 11-25 beds — Boutique assisted living homes — Senior boutique living — Want a balance of social life and intimacy as well as more personalized attention — Feel isolated in larger facilities and find it easier to socialize with a smaller number of people — Desire more tailored daily routines Large/extra Large 26-100+ beds — CCRCs — Corporate senior campuses — Retirement villages — Active adult communities — Are active, extroverted and independent, want to “age i…
Summary from source