What Is Senior Living Community Culture and Why Is It Important?
Springwood Court- A Charter Senior Living Community
Jan 09, 2022
Florida - Southwest
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Culture is very important for our Charter Senior Living family, says Jayne Sallerson, Chief Operating Officer of Charter Senior Living. We believe its our calling to give everyone in our care and their families peace of mind and the chance to be their best selves. Thats why were dedicated to our communities offering the warmth of home and exceptional service and never losing sight of the little things that make us different. The experiences we create help our residents feel loved, follow their inspirations and inspire others.
Jayne says that everyone hired at Charter Senior Living has been chosen for their big heart and their devotion to service. We admire our residents for their stories that make them who they are, she says. Our caregivers are trained to respect and ensure their dignity while providing care that is tailored to their preferences and specific needs.
Of course, there's a lot more to culture than just the staff and the philosophy. Location, care types, dining structure, activities offered, community demographics the list is seemingly endless. But don't fret. Finding the right culture for you may actually be easier than you think.
Think of moving into senior housing like moving into a new home, Jayne suggests. Beyond looking for payment structures and care types, you'll also want to come up with wants and needs that will allow you to live your best life in your retirement years. Knowing what you want and understanding what to look for will help make your search a lot less stressful and a lot more fruitful.
Finding Your Culture Fit: Top Tips from the Experts
Understand what makes you happy in your home.
What is it that you love about your current home? Is it the location and convenience? Is it the proximity to friends, family, and activities that you enjoy? Do you like the atmosphere for example, is it a little more rural or a little more urban? Take some time to think about what makes you happy in your living space and what could make it even better.
Consider your future goals.
Retirement is the time for you to say goodbye to cares and chores and instead do the things you've been wanting and waiting to do. Perhaps you've wanted to buy an RV and head out on a long cross-country trip (while still having a home base to return to). Or maybe youre ready to live a jet-set lifestyle, visiting all sorts of foreign countries you've read about but never been to. Maybe you'd like to go back to college or start a new business or career. Or perhaps you want a quieter, less stressful life living near your children and grandchildren so you can be a part of their lives. Knowing what it is you want to accomplish now and in the future will help you look for a senior living culture that will be more apt to help you make those goals a reality.
Know the type of lifestyle you want.
While variety is the spice of life, and it is important to be exposed to a wide variety of ages, stages, demographics, and interests, most of us intrinsically know what type of lifestyle and location would suit us best. For example, if you enjoy being outside and taking part in the worlds natural beauty, you probably wouldn't necessarily want to move to a location that's completely urban and far away from walking trails and natural landmarks. If you prefer being near the ocean with a warm temperature year-round, you probably wont want to move to a landlocked state. What sort of interests do you have woodworking, bird watching, artistic endeavors, or something else? Having those options available to you will make your retirement fulfilling and enriching, so be sure that whatever community you choose has the culture to support that.
Think about your future needs.
What you want from a community culture may change as you age. Right now, you may be active and independent, looking for a lifestyle and culture that provides countless opportunities to stay engaged, be inspired, and find adventure. As you age, perhaps requiring assisted living or memory care services, what type of culture will make you feel most at home? If you're planning on moving into a community that provides all levels of care, be sure to check out how culture translates to all those aspects. The best community culture is one that is focused on helping residents live as independently as possible with dignity and respect, no matter how much assistance they may need.
Do your research.
The best way to get a feel for a community's culture is to experience it firsthand. You can start by asking friends and family about different communities they know or have experienced, going online, and doing some Google digging. Once you've selected several locations that seem promising, schedule tours so you can actually see, hear, smell, feel, and understand the culture. What looks like a perfect place on paper may end up being completely the opposite of what you want. You may want to consider doing a short-term stay at different communities to give you an even more insider feel for what life is like. These days, many communities allow potential residents to spend a night (or more) so they can experience the community in many different ways.
Talk to residents.
As you're looking around at communities, take some time to meet and talk to residents there. What are the people like? What are their interests and hobbies? Are these people whose company you can see yourself enjoying? While the location, building, and amenities are incredibly important, so is the community's community aspect. After all, you're probably moving into senior living because you want to be around peers who are interested in the same things as you. Listen to your gut whats it saying to you? Sometimes, you just know when a place is right for your future adventures.
There's no right or wrong culture; only the one that's right for you, says Jayne. Take your time, do your research and think about what really matters to you. By following these six steps, you will be more likely to find a senior living community culture that meets your needs, wants, values and goals.
Your Journey. Your Way.
Charter Senior Living is a caring and compassionate leader within the senior living industry. Charter manages 24 senior living communities throughout the U.S., offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care services. A family-owned business with an executive team with more than 100 combined years in the senior housing industry, Charter Senior Livings mission is to enhance the human spirit of our residents, families, and employees while serving with heart, purpose, and courage and to have fun while serving.
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Springwood Court- A Charter Senior Living Community
Assisted Living 12780 Kenwood Lane, Fort Myers, Florida, 33907Charter Senior Living's Springwood Court in Fort Myers, Florida, offers exceptional assisted living services that enhance the human spirit. As part of Charter Senior Living, we are committed to providing a true sense of community and personalization to older adults with specific needs and wants.Our philosophy is simple: Do the right thing for residents, whatever it takes. We strive to improve the quality of life for residents and their families each day. We believe in cultivating warm, meaningful relationships among residents, staff, leadership, and families, creating a homelike neighborhood in Fort Myers that you wont find anywhere else.At Springwood Court, we specialize in assisted living, ensuring that every person who calls our community home lives their absolute best life, every single day. We offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere, an array of convenient services and amenities, exceptional programming, and a staff that treats every resident like family.Whether you're looking for yourself or a loved one, when you choose Charter Senior Living, you're choosing a community where you'll be welcomed with open arms, treated like family, and feel comfortable in a place where you'll find the best assisted living services.Contact us today to learn more about our community and schedule a tour. Visit us and experience the Charter Senior Living difference firsthand.