Ask about . . . Ambience / Living Environment
Each housing development has its own "personality." When you move out of your home and into another housing option, you may live there for many years. When you make this move, you want to feel comfortable in your new surroundings. You want to feel like this is your home and that you fit in.
There are some things you can consider and ask about to help you decide if you will feel comfortable. For example—
Have you thought about what your current needs are for services or help and what you think those needs might be four or five years from now? Is this a development in which you will find your needs met as they change over time? If not, will someone there assist you in getting the services and help you need from community agencies and programs? Or, will the development manager want you to move to somewhere else if your needs change. How do you feel about moving several times in your later years?
If the development provides a meals program, have you visited and stayed to eat a meal? Are the quality, amount, and types of food satisfactory for what you are used to? Does the menu of food served meet your cultural preferences? Do residents have any input into the menu's makeup for daily meals and for holiday meals? Are special diets accommodated—for example, low-salt or no-salt meals, lactose-free meals, or vegetarian meals? Are there entrée choices each night? Can you choose from several meal plans in order to meet your desire for cooking some meals in your own kitchen and eating some meals in the common dining room?
Making friends and having a social network are an important part of the elder years. Have you visited the development and talked with the residents to decide if you have things in common with them . . . would you feel comfortable having them as neighbors and social friends . . . will you feel at ease interacting with them?
Perhaps you are someone who likes a great deal of privacy or you prefer to spend most of your time alone or with your family. Will your lifestyle preference be respected and appreciated? Is participation in activities and events expected of residents?
What are the kinds of social activities and events that will be available to you in the development? Are they the types of activities you are used to and will want to participate in? If you prefer different kinds of activities, are they available in the neighborhood nearby the development?
Do you have difficulty communicating in English? Is it important to you whether a significant proportion of the residents speak your language? Is it important that the housing manager or other housing staff are able to communicate with you in your language? If you are deaf, do any of the housing staff converse in sign language? Do you have a sense that the housing staff will take the time to accommodate your communication needs?
Is it important to you that there are other residents in the development who share your racial or cultural background? Are there cultural activities, food, or religious services that are important to you? Will they be available in the development?
Do you practice an alternative lifestyle? Are openly Gay or Lesbian residents made to feel welcome by housing staff and residents . . . in the dining room, the activities, the services, and the care?
Are there "dress code" expectations? For example, does everyone wear his/her "Sunday best" for the congregate dinner meals each night? Conversely, are residents dressed too casually or in a manner that you feel is inappropriate?
Are there rules about whether your children or grandchildren can visit overnight? Is there a separate dining room in which you can have private meals or gatherings with your family members?
The development manager or groups of residents may arrange for social activities or trips outside of the development. Can you afford to pay for and participate in any extra social activities? Will you feel comfortable if you cannot participate.
Are you allergic to cats or other animals? Does the development allow residents to have pets, and what are the rules for caring for and restraining pets? Does the development have its own cat or dog that is free to roam throughout the common areas for everyone's enjoyment?
Do the housing manager and other housing staff have an "open door" or a "closed door" policy for interacting with residents? Talking with other residents already living there can give you a sense of whether they feel comfortable or intimidated in bringing questions and concerns to housing staff.
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