How Do I Choose the Right Senior Living Community?

Start with the level of care your parent actually needs, not just the nicest-looking building -- a beautiful independent living community is the wrong choice for someone who needs daily personal care. From there, weigh location (proximity to family who will visit matters more than most people expect), staffing levels and turnover, how the community handles a resident's needs as they change over time, and whether current pricing fits your budget for the long term, not just the first year. Reading a facility's own published information, touring in person, and talking to current residents' families when possible all matter more than star ratings on a third-party site. Our guide to touring a facility and Columbus facility directory are good starting points.