Questions to Ask about Assisted Living

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Questions to Ask about Assisted Living | Ryman Healthcare New Zealand
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Questions to Ask About Assisted Living in a Serviced Apartment

Living in a vibrant, supportive retirement village while maintaining your independent lifestyle is a reality in our serviced apartments. Our apartments offer the perfect blend of support and independence, allowing you to make the most of your retirement years. With all the little things taken care of, you can focus on the moments that truly matter while enjoying a hassle-free lifestyle.

This guide will provide you with an overview of assisted living in a serviced apartment, help you to ask the right questions when considering an assisted living facility, and ensure you understand at what point, it might be best to transition into a serviced apartment. Making an informed decision about your future is crucial for ensuring you or your loved one can enjoy an exciting and fulfilling retirement experience.

What Is Assisted Living?

Serviced apartments come with support that makes your independent lifestyle easier, there are extra services provided, with the option to add even more services to suit your needs. It’s great for you, and reassuring for your family, because they know you’re being looked after. Best of all, that extra support creates more time for fun!

To ensure your safety and peace of mind, each apartment is equipped with call bells that are monitored 24 hours a day by on-site staff. This means help is always available when you need it, providing an added layer of security and reassurance.
While your main meals and morning and afternoon tea are taken care of, your apartment is also thoughtfully designed to enhance your living experience, with features like a kitchenette equipped with a fridge-freezer and microwave, allowing you to prepare snacks and light meals whenever you like. The layout includes a separate bedroom and a private ensuite as well for your comfort.

However, the real icing on the cake for assisted-living residents is the community, where there is always a variety of group outings, regular transport options and endless opportunities to join in with activities when you feel like it. It’s a fulfilled lifestyle, it’s an assisted living lifestyle.

What Does Assisted Living in a Serviced Apartment Provide?

Assisted living in a serviced apartment provides the perfect opportunity to customise your level of care. You get your regular assisted living services, however, you can add extra services if you like, such as help with administering medication, a personal laundry service three times a week or daily breakfast to your room. 

Your weekly fee for assisted living covers:
•  Rates, water rates, and building insurance •  Gardening and ground maintenance •  Maintaining and operating the community amenities •  Our Engage activities programme, including musical entertainment, fashion shows, arts and crafts, and regular outings •  Our Triple A exercise programme, including classes such as Functional Fitness, circuit, or ‘sit and be fit’ •  Exterior maintenance of your apartment, including inside and outside window cleaning •  Social time at our weekly Happy Hour •  Call bells monitored 24 hours a day by our on-site staff •  Village management and administration •  Scheduled transport services and outings.

Assisted-living residents also receive:
•    A daily main meal – three choices, including a vegetarian option
•    Daily morning and afternoon tea
•    Towels provided
•    Linen changed weekly — or as needed
•    Housekeeping
•    Electricity and heating
•    Regular outings to the shops and further afield.

Optional extras include:
•    Breakfast to your apartment
•    An additional meal in the dining room
•    Your bed made daily
•    Personal laundry service (3 times a week)
•    Showering supervision*
•    Administering medications
•    Monitoring blood pressure, helping with support stockings etc
•    Basic wound care (including dressing)
*Includes safety checks while resident showers unassisted.

When Is It Time for Assisted Living?

Deciding when to move into assisted living in a serviced apartment is a personal choice that is influenced by factors, such as your health, mobility, and desire for social interaction. 

Here are some signs that it might be time to consider moving into a serviced apartment:

• You would like more help with daily activities: If tasks like cooking, cleaning, and personal care are becoming more challenging, assisted living offers you the support to make these tasks manageable and stress-free while maintaining your independence. 

• You want help closer at hand: If you have concerns about falls, accidents, or managing medications, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing that assistance is always nearby.

• You want increased social connection: If you’re seeking more social interaction and companionship, there are numerous opportunities to connect with others through village-organised excursions, optional exercise classes, and social time at Ryman’s weekly Happy Hour. 

• Your current home no longer fits your needs: If your current home feels overwhelming to maintain or your needs have changed, a serviced apartment offers a more manageable and convenient living space without the stress of chores! 

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What Is the Best Age for Assisted Living?

The best age to consider assisted living is different for everyone, as each person's journey through aging is unique. At Ryman Healthcare, residents are welcome from age 70, but there is no "one-size-fits-all" answer. Some individuals may feel ready to embrace the supportive environment of assisted living in their early 70s, while others might prefer to wait until later.

What’s most important is being able to recognise when you would benefit from a little extra help at hand and when you’re ready to enjoy the vibrant community life that assisted living offers. The move into assisted living is about enhancing your quality of life at the right time for you.

Tips to Transition to Assisted Living

Transitioning to assisted living can be a big step, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some tips to make the process smoother:

  1. Visit multiple villages: Take the time to tour several villages to find the one that feels like home. Maybe you would prefer to stay in your local area, or maybe a move closer to family might suit you better. If you’re already living in a Ryman Healthcare Village, ask our friendly sales advisors for a tour of some assisted living apartments.

  2. Plan ahead: Begin the conversation with family early and involve them as you are considering the move.

Learn More About Ryman Healthcare’s Beautiful Assisted Living Apartments

If you're thinking about transitioning to assisted living and leaving behind the hassle of daily chores, our sales advisors are here to help. They can guide you through the process and arrange a tour of our beautiful serviced apartments. 

by Ryman Healthcare | Sep 16, 2024

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