You’ve researched and decided that a memory care community is the best option for your loved one. But then you start to wonder about the kinds of communities available and whether there’s a right or wrong size for your family member. Should you choose a smaller community with fewer residents? A larger home where more people can be supported? The right size depends on what matters most to you as well as your budget and other priorities. Here are some things to consider when choosing between small and large senior-friendly independent living communities:
Small Team, Familiar Faces
Before you set up a tour, it’s important to know what kind of community you’re looking at. If your loved one is in need of 24-hour care, then it may be best to look for something with more caregivers on hand. If they need less intense care, however—for example, if they can manage on their own during the day but still need supervision at night—a smaller community might be better suited for them.
Smaller communities also tend to have smaller team sizes than larger ones do. This means that there is more time available for each resident in treatment, and caregivers know each person well enough so that when changes occur (which they inevitably do), they can respond quickly and appropriately.
It’s important to note that this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule: Some small communities have large teams because the homes are divided into different houses or wings; however, this doesn’t necessarily mean that all small communities will have fewer people working there than larger ones do.
Intimate Setting Means Better Care
When you think about the ideal environment for a golden-age adult with memory loss, what do you picture? In reality, not all communities are created equal. The smaller the community size, the more intimate and personalized it will feel for your loved one. As your loved one transitions into care, they will be surrounded by familiar faces and become part of the small community where everyone knows each other’s names. This makes it easier for team members to forge strong bonds with residents while providing them with top-notch care in an intimate setting.
Smaller Communities Are More Convenient
One of the biggest benefits of living in a smaller community is that it’s much more convenient than living in larger one. You can get to and from home quickly and are close enough to visit often. Smaller communities are also easier to find, making them easier for family members and friends to visit. Larger communities have many residents who need special care and attention, so it may take longer for team members to respond when you have questions or concerns about your loved one’s health or safety. In addition, there are more people in large communities than in small ones—and they need more space for activities like group meals or therapy sessions.
Smaller residences tend to be closer and easier to navigate than larger ones because they typically have fewer hallways/corridors between rooms and fewer visitors at any given time (thereby reducing crowding). Smaller communities usually have smaller waiting areas where families spend time waiting between visits; this means less stress on both caregivers’ schedules and less anxiety when visiting someone who lives far away from home.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that small community are good for many people. They offer more intimacy, convenience, and social engagement opportunities than larger institutions. If you’re looking for a place to care for your loved one, consider a smaller community where the professionals know each resident by name and can give them the individualized attention they deserve.
