Residences for the elderly are aimed at people over the age of 60 who are still independent and who, for various reasons, no longer wish or no longer want to live at home. These non-medicalized residences, made up of individual and private apartments for single people or couples, of which seniors can be owners or tenants, represent a good compromise between the independence that one enjoys by staying at home and the possibility of benefiting from common services such as a restaurant, a wellness area, a hairdresser, a lounge where residents meet, etc., and very practical cleaning and laundry services, or even the use of home helpers.
Senior residences are real ideal living places to break the isolation of the elderly. These structures can take many different forms. So, what criteria should be taken into account to choose the right senior residence? Our 5 tips to help you in your decision.
One of the characteristics of senior residences, also called service residences for the elderly, is their geographical location. These structures are in fact always located as close as possible to the city centers so that residents can easily benefit from the presence of shops, public services, or easily accessible means of transport.
But senior residences are not all located in large cities as one might think. Depending on your lifestyle, and your geographical origin, you have the choice between residences installed certainly in urban areas, but also in the rural sector. An asset that allows you to get closer to the places of life even in a small town where you have spent a large part of your life and from where you do not want to move away to stay close to your relatives and friends.
To find out about the senior residences available near your usual place of residence, the portal for the elderly provides you with a directory by municipality or department on its website.
Senior residences are most often managed by private structures whose purpose is commercial. As a result, they can greatly distinguish themselves from each other in terms of the services offered, but also the quality or comfort of the apartments made available, for example.
To see more clearly and be sure to choose the right senior residence, know that there are labels created with the support of AFNOR, a service of general interest responsible for developing national and international standards, which guarantee a minimum of quality and services.
A senior residence displaying the "Vie senior &habitat (VISEHA)" label, for example, ensures that you choose a structure that meets quality criteria in relation to the accommodation it offers (a minimum surface area per accommodation and per common area, a choice as to the desired level of comfort, etc.). This label also guarantees the presence of services such as laundry, cleaning, catering in a common area or meals served in the accommodation, or the presence of staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other labels such as "HS2®" for example can also help you choose the senior residence that respects a minimum of quality and comfort.
In any case, prefer to turn to managers of recognized senior residences who have demonstrated their seriousness and the quality of their services.
A senior residence designates a new common living space where you will be able to live while maintaining your independence whether you are alone or as a couple. The interest of these residences is to offer you various and varied services to make your daily life easier, but also to be able to take advantage of the presence of other residents to why not make new friends, indulge in your favorite hobbies together, etc.
However, senior residences do not all offer the same ancillary services, from laundry to hairdressing, through a reception or security service in common areas, for example. This is why it is important to clearly define your personal needs in this area, especially since in some senior residences certain services are offered in addition in the form of a package or sometimes invoiced according to your consumption.
Several possibilities are available to you if you decide to integrate a senior residence. Depending on your situation, your financial capacities, your investment wishes, you can indeed rent accommodation in such a residence or become the owner.
You also have the choice between accommodation on the surface and with minimum comfort or, on the contrary, which offer more prestigious services.
All this diversity of proposals obviously has consequences in terms of price and financial investment. Senior residences must inform you of their cost and demonstrate the greatest possible transparency in this regard.
By comparing several residences that correspond to your needs and financial possibilities, you will better understand the budget that you will really have to devote to your new home. In addition, bringing competition into play is also topical when it comes to choosing a senior residence.
Choosing a new place to live, whether you are an elderly person or not, should not be done lightly. The geographical location of a senior residence, its proximity to the services you need, your desire to stay in the same environment as your old home, are very important criteria for choosing the right senior residence.
But each of them also offers different services, such as an environment or an atmosphere that may or may not correspond to your lifestyle. This is why it is strongly recommended, before choosing a senior residence, not to hesitate to go there, to visit the places to better realize the framework where you will live your next years, and this by going to in several structures in order to have the maximum of cards in hand to make the right choice.
