Of Tampa’s 300,000 population, over 50,000 of them are over the age of 65.
Having an aging loved one can be tricky, especially if you’re their primary caregiver. Over time, you may start to notice them struggling to keep up with the complexities of modern life. If they’re beginning to deal with age-related health problems, it’s even more difficult.
At a certain point, the need for senior living communities becomes very clear. In today’s post, we’ll give you a quick guide to independent living in Tampa. A quality senior community can take a lot off of your loved one’s plate, not to mention the peace of mind it brings family members.
There are plenty of Tampa retirement communities, but keep reading, and we’ll help you assess your options so that your loved one ends up in the best possible situation for their needs.
Choosing the Right Type of Senior Care
Before you can investigate the senior living options in Tampa, you have to figure out what it is your loved one needs. Their health and mobility will indicate what type of care they should get, of which there are a few different options.
Independent Living
Independent living is where your loved one will go if they’re relatively healthy but want to downsize. These communities give residents a low-maintenance lifestyle, providing them with daily activities and amenities to fill their days alongside their peers.
Assisted Living
When your loved one has more pressing health issues that require daily help, they’ll need an assisted living community. These are more in-depth services with 24/7 staff who are available to help with each resident’s unique needs.
Often, these services involve helping residents get dressed, maintain their accommodations, and take medication. They’ll still have access to amenities and activities to help improve their fitness and mental health.
Assisted Living with Memory Care
Nearly 600,000 Floridians are currently living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. These seniors require unique services that only assisted living with memory care can provide.
These communities offer highly trained staff who are there to help residents deal with the changing and challenging symptoms of cognitive decline. All residents have a tailored care plan put in place that includes activities to help them navigate their situation daily.
Qualities of Top Independent Living in Tampa
If you choose the right type of care, you’re halfway there. From this point on, you can use a litany of criteria to determine the best senior living option for your loved one’s wants and needs.
Solid Reputation
Start your search online. Type “Tampa retirement communities” into Google and see what comes up. You can sort the results by looking at the ratings and reviews left by the loved ones of current and former residents of the community.
If there are any issues with the community’s staff or the state of the amenities, you’ll find out from the reviews. Use them to narrow your search down to a few of the most reputable communities and schedule tours with them.
Good Location
Location is an important factor when looking at retirement living options. If your loved one wants to be in the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll want a centrally located community. When you make this choice, you’ll likely have to make more room in the budget.
The transition into senior care is affected by location as well. It’s an overwhelming transition, but a community that’s accessible for loved ones to visit in the first weeks and months will make the transition much easier.
Quality Accommodations
Look for a community that offers numerous floor plans to choose from. The more options there are, the more flexible a community can be with budget and individual needs.
At Aston Gardens, we have several floor plans to choose from depending on the type of care your loved one is receiving. They’ll be able to choose a room that feels comfortable and offers the in-suite amenities that they need to be happy.
Great Amenities
Speaking of amenities, a great community will offer a wide range of amenities for residents to take advantage of. Often, the amenities on offer become a major deciding factor in choosing one community over another.
Our community’s amenities include, but aren’t limited to:
- Card/games rooms
- A grande ballroom and private dining room
- Terraces and outdoor entertainment areas
- Multiple living rooms to lounge in
- A beauty salon/barber shop
- A fully stocked library
- A heated swimming pool
Daily Activities
On top of a community’s amenities, there should also be daily activity programming. Activities are important for keeping residents engaged and fit so that they can avoid social isolation and the various problems that arise from a sedentary lifestyle.
Our activity calendar includes a variety of things that prioritize residents’ physical and mental health. Every effort is made to ensure your loved one has an active senior lifestyle and that they interact with their fellow residents, which is essential in building a sense of community.
Nutritious Dining
Senior health isn’t limited to exercise. Residents must eat a healthy and balanced diet to avoid the various health issues that become a greater risk as we age — diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer, etc.
It’s not always easy for seniors to cook for themselves. Fortunately, when they enter our amazing community, they’ll have access to restaurant-quality dining every day.
Our Sensations dining program gives residents a rotating menu of tasty and healthy meals that account for their dietary needs and restrictions. Your loved one will never eat healthier than they do at Aston Gardens.
What Sets Aston Gardens Apart
Ours is among the very best independent living in Tampa. Aston Gardens at Tampa Bay offers everything discussed here and so much more. As an independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care community, we’re uniquely equipped to provide accommodations for all seniors, regardless of their health status.
We’ve got world-class staff, amazing amenities for all to enjoy, activities each day, and delicious dining. Whatever your loved one needs to live a fulfilled life, we’re here to provide it. Schedule a tour of our community with your loved one today to see everything we’ve got to offer — you won’t regret it!
