5 Qualities to Look for in Retirement Homes

This was written as a Web-exclusive package for Better-mag.com, which included an article, two sidebars, audio visual clips, an extensive checklist and an informational table. Better-mag.com is not a live Web site but demonstrated as an interactive pdf.  

By Ava T. and Jaya J.

Looking for retirement homes for your parent but don't know where to start? You're not alone. You want the best for your aging parents and luckily the North Shore has an abundance of retirement homes to choose from. But where to start? First, remember to keep in mind your parents' needs--medical care, safety and happiness--rather than getting swept up in fancy amenities such as game rooms or swimming pools.

"There are a million things that people don't look for," says Debra Miller, a geriatric care consultant in Highland Park. "Of course, when you walk through the first time, aesthetically, you use your five senses."

To read the entire article, e-mail Ava at avasjournal@gmail.com

Sidebar 1: How to approach the topic of retirement homes

If you've realized your parent would probably benefit from the social atmosphere and general care retirement homes, congratulations, you've won half the batter. The second half is telling your parent to look at them and convincing he or she that it is to their benefit. It's a difficult position for both the adult child and parents, says Debra Miller a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in Highland Park. Suddenly the adult child, who is used to being a child, has to become an adult in the situation, and all the parent can see when faced with the decision is a black road ahead of them, says Miller.

 To read the entire article, e-mail Ava at avasjournal@gmail.com.