“I’m going out feet first.” It’s a phrase that many of us have heard and may have said ourselves living in a small town and not knowing about what senior living and senior care offers and looks like these days. It’s the wish of many to stay in their homes as long as possible. We absolutely understand that feeling. However, at some point, you may find that moving to a more supportive living environment is the right thing to do. Whether you're living alone and wishing for some companionship day to day, need more with activities of daily living, or have fears of having a tragic accident with no help close by at night, we have options for you to explore. Some seniors are also finding that they’d just rather not cook for themselves, hire out yard and home repairs or do other household chores anymore. Everyone is a bit different in their decisions for looking.

At Vista Prairie Communities, we have trusted experts and resources with service leaders with an exceptional number of years’ experience. So, how do you know if it's time to make the move?

If you’re starting to consider a move to a senior living community, here are some questions you may wish to ask yourself to determine if it’s time to make a move.

Do I feel lonely?

This is not an easy question, nor is it easy to share the answer with loved ones or adult children. We Midwesterners tend to be stoic and do not want to burden others with our feelings, however, it’s an important piece of the puzzle, especially if your spouse has passed away or you’re not driving anymore. Living alone day after day isn't all it's cracked up to be. But it doesn't have to be that way. Our community offers an abundance of resident-focused programs and offer many opportunities for socialization with seniors on a parallel journey. We also have onboarding programs to help you get to know the staff, neighbors, and your surroundings so that you find purpose and belonging at our community. You might be surprised at how much living in a community of people will enrich your life.

Have daily life activities become difficult?

You may be just plain tired of managing a household, doing the dishes or laundry and keeping the house as clean as you'd like it. Or you may find that tasks like dressing and bathing are a bit trickier now than they were when you were younger. Getting those buttons buttoned on your shirt can seem like a tireless task, and you don't have to tell us how challenging it can be to put on your shoes some days. If this is something you are dealing with, it may be time to think about a senior care community. We can help with all of that. When you move into senior living, you’ll have the support and services that you want, customized to your needs.

Do I spend days without leaving home?

This question is less about loneliness and more about mobility, the physical act of leaving home and getting somewhere, like the grocery store or a friend's house. Have you stopped driving? Are you having trouble getting up and down the stairs to the street or your garage? Is walking much more difficult now? If it's too difficult to get around, and you find it's just easier to stay home, this is one big indicator that a move to a senior community can greatly enrich your life. We have walking paths in and outside of our communities to help you get outside as well as transportation to scheduled activities, outings, and shopping. There's a lot going on in our senior care community and we want you to be a part of it to enjoy.

Have I had a health scare?

Many times, moving to a senior community is precipitated by a health scare or “waiting for a crisis” event. If you've taken a fall at home, forgotten or been mixed up about your medications, been dizzy when sitting or standing, or if you have an ongoing health condition that will need to be monitored more than you can do yourself at home, you'll be more at ease in a community where everything is centered around your health and safety with 24/7 care staff available at the press of a button.

Making the choice to move into senior care isn’t easy, but it’s OK to admit to yourself and others that you’ve reached a point where you may need more support. We also have Independence Plus options, so you can ease into the thought of having “Assisted Living” services. Think about how such a move might give you greater calm, confidence, and optimism as you begin the next stage of life. Feel free to navigate our Family Resources page that may also provide you support on your journey.

We at Vista Prairie, are here to answer all your questions, whether you’re considering assisted living or other accommodations. Learn more by calling us at 507-697-0540.