Balfour at Riverfront Park

Betty Davis bluntly stated: Growing old isn't for sissies. Wise decisions about how your parents or loved one will live their Golden Years begin with having a plan and openly exploring best options for ones next life adventure.Begin the conversation. Saying goodbye to a home where a lifetime of memories has been made is never easy. Discuss how the family will manage such change. Talk about what the next step should be, and what will define the new home.Research and identify optionsBased on your goals as a family, research and select senior living community options you can investigate further. Visit websites, look for testimonials (and critiques), understand operations and lock-in-on the things that are most important.Schedule a visitOnce you've identified your choice options, request a visit. While touring, be aware of things such as cleanliness, security, and the overall ambiance of the property. Observe how happy the residents and employees are while paying attention to how they interact with one another.Learn about amenities and servicesFind out about the amenities and services of the community, and evaluate how nimble they will be as the needs of the residents change. For example, what are their dining options; what type of programs are in place; are friends, children or grandchildren welcomed to participate in programs; does the community provide a continuum of care; what is their approach to memory care and Alzheimer's; do they have residential options for couples with different healthcare needs; what is the longevity of their staff; do they provide transportation (and what is the schedule and level of flexibility); do they have a physician on-site?Understand the financial modelSenior living communities vary in financial models. Take care in understanding current and future costs. For example, buy-in models can start at a cost of $250,000 and exceed $1,000,000, and sometimes are duplicative of insurance plans. A rental-plan means that there is a monthly payment due. Rental models often provide more flexibility as individual situations change.Report back to your loved onesAfter you've gotten answers to your family's questions, plan a meeting to discuss what you've discovered. Outline positives and negatives to determine your choice. Everyone will have questions, objections, support and input of their own.As long as you support your loved one in the decision making process -- you can feel comfortable in the choice you make, together.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Brandi Williamson, Leasing Director for Balfour at Riverfront Park, located in downtown Denver. She may be reached at 720-360-4500 or by email at bwilliamson@balfourcare.com