Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/505440
SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 LIVE IT UP! 3 President & Publisher Gary Omernick 831.706.3228 gomernick@santacruzsentinel.com Vice President of Advertising Dan Krolczyk 831.726.4343 dkrolczyk@santacruzsentinel.com Sales Manager Steve Bennett 831.429.2416 sbennett@santacruzsentinel.com Circulation Director Mardi Browning Shiver 706.3265 mbrowning@santacruzsentinel.com Internet Director Mike Blaesser 429.2413 mblaesser@santacruzsentinel.com SCS Sales Team Ray Klopp Mary Jo Mann Susan Pryce Susie Ronzano Patrick Smith facebook.com/scsentinel @scsentinel S electing the right senior living community is an important decision. There are many factors that can influence your decision on the right community for you. When looking for a senior living community a good place to start is to ask your family and friends or valued advisors for their recommendations. The internet, local newspapers and publications, as well as senior networks, can also provide you with helpful information. Once you have a list of communities, call and set up an appointment for a tour. Touring the community is a vital part of this process. Make sure you bring notepaper to take notes as you will be given a lot of information. During the tour some of the things to look for would be cleanliness, friendliness of the staff, and what activities are offered. If possible, talk with the residents that live there. They can be a wealth of information. Plan on spending at least an hour at the community. It is a good idea to have a meal there. Once you narrow down your decision, you may want to visit one more time to make sure the community has all the amenities that you are looking for. Some questions to ask yourself about a community would be: Does it meet all of your needs? Does it provide the services you are looking for? For example, meal preparation, transportation, entertainment, safety, housekeeping, laundry and maintenance? What about the social, cultural and recreational opportunities? What happens when your health changes and you need more care? Is the community ready to help you with the difficult and important decision when the time comes for more care? Another important aspect, of course, is financial. Is it a buy-in? Do you have to sign a lease? Is it month to month? What are the up-front entrance fees? When compared to the monthly expenses and upkeep of your home, you may find that you actually spend less per month living in a senior living community that takes care of all of your needs. Make sure you understand what amenities are included in the fees. Senior living communities are a wonderful way to live comfortably and burden-free. You will be free from the daily concerns of everyday life. No more meal planning, home repairs and maintenance. You will be able to fill your time with friends, activities and the things that make you happy. You can shape your days to meet your own needs and desires in style and comfort. Choosing a Senior Living Community by Cathi Burnham, Marketing Manager, Dominican Oaks Cathi Burnham is the marketing manager at Dominican Oaks,an independent senior living community in Santa Cruz.