5 Must-Haves When Moving to a Senior Apartment

You may want different features in your new living quarters than you may have needed in your former home. We here at BridgeWater Assisted Living understand that and make sure that all our senior apartments in Phoenix are equipped with everything you will need.

Here are five must-haves you should make sure are available when moving to senior apartments in Phoenix:

1. Potential furnishings

If you want to make a move into your new senior apartment even more effortless, find one that is already furnished! Ask the staff in your new community if furnished spaces are available and if there is anything you would be responsible for bringing on your own. This space will be your new living space, so you want to make sure it has all the furnishings that will make it feel like home.

Be sure to ask if you can bring in some of your furnishings. This way, you do not have to give up that comfy chair you love reading in every night, the desk you write letters on, or the credenza you enjoy setting your television on. Having a piece of your old home in your new home will make it feel even more like your own space. 

2. Safety features

So you’re starting a new chapter in your life by making a move to a senior apartment. You probably do not plan on moving again, meaning that even if you do not need certain safety features now, this doesn’t mean you won’t need them in the future. 

Everyone’s body changes with age, which creates a need for specific types of support as we age. Plan for this by confirming certain safety features are available in the apartment. 

Safety features you want could include call buttons in the bathroom or an emergency call pendant. Find out if there is staff on-site for 24 hours each day. Knowing that you have personal assistance, no matter what time you need it, will make you feel more secure and safe.

3. Dining Options

If you love cooking or baking, that does not have to stop because you are moving into a new apartment. Most senior living communities will offer apartments that include a kitchen area for residents who want the option to cook for themselves. However, that should not be the only option for your senior apartment. Just like you had the option to eat in or eat out when you were at your old home, you should have that same choice in your new home, too.

For instance, at BridgeWater, we have a community dining room where our chefs prepare three nutritious and delicious meals daily. There are also happy hours and many food events in this community dining room for residents to enjoy. 

If you like going to a nice restaurant, you can still have that as part of your life. Senior apartments in Phoenix, especially our Midtown Phoenix location, are located just a short distance from many restaurants with great food.

4. Opportunities to Engage

No matter how much you love your senior apartment, you probably only want to be inside for a few hours of the day. You want to get outside, enjoy spending time with your neighbors and spend some time exploring the surrounding community.

This is why selecting the community you are moving into is just as important as choosing the apartment itself. Make sure daily activities and other events are offered to those living there. Ask what these programs and events are. 

You may already have a hobby you enjoy doing, but you may even find a new one, too. Being involved in these activities will help you stay active, be social, and maybe even make new friends! It will also keep your body, mind, and spirit all engaged, which will help you continue to feel great.

5. Technology

You probably already have your own devices, be it a cell phone, a tablet, or a computer. Make sure that you bring it with you! These technologies will help you stay connected to your family and friends. If you don’t have any of these technologies and are not interested in them, that’s okay too. Make sure that the senior living community has a business center with computers that you can use if you want to send an email. You will also want to ensure there are phones in your new apartment that you can use to call your loved ones.

In addition to your own personal technology, it’s worth asking the senior living community if they integrate new technologies into their care. All of our BridgeWater apartments have CarePredict technology, a revolutionary health management system. CarePredict has in-home sensors that can detect changes to daily life, which could indicate a potential health issue. By detecting this early, our staff can be proactive and take action to intervene if needed.

The above five things should be important things to keep in mind in your search for a senior apartment. If you are still looking at different communities, ask if they offer the above. A great senior living community should offer you all of those options and more.

We also encourage you to come and take a tour of our apartments here at BridgeWater, as we have all the above and even more amenities. We know this is more than just an apartment for you; it’s your new home. We want you to be comfortable and feel at home!