Avoid These 5 Crucial Mistakes When Choosing a Senior Living Community

Donna Nichols • July 19, 2021

Don’t make these crucial mistakes when choosing a Senior Living Community

At Assisted Living Made Simple we see this all the time and decided to share with you the 5 most common mistakes you need to avoid when choosing a community.

Avoid these mistakes when choosing a senior living community © Halina Valiushka  | Dreamstime.com

1. Focusing on the beauty of the community.

Yes, this place is beautiful, look at the chandeliers, the garden is lovely, there are so many books in the library! What about the care? Do they have any? How long has the staff worked there? Do they care about YOU?

See if you can chat with a few of the residents when you visit the community. If that’s not possible, pay attention to how they look, are dressed and if they are engaging with others. This can tell you if the staff is keeping them healthy and active.

2. Deciding too quickly.

Don’t make this decision too quickly. Assisted Living Made Simple always likes to tour you at three (3) places, whether it be in the Palm Coast area or Central Florida, to ensure you see the different communities and their offerings.

This is one reason we ask the questions we do, we don’t want you to move into the wrong community. We want you to move one time and one time only. Moving into a community doesn’t have to be stressful, but if you move into the wrong one, it increases your stress level immensely.

3. Taking this on by yourself.

Don’t do this alone! There are placement services out there who do this for YOU! We take you by the hand and have already done the leg work. We know the good, the bad and the ugly. If we won’t place our loved one there, we’re not going to place your loved one there.

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4. Not visiting the communities for yourself.

Too many people say they don’t have time, or they trust their loved one’s decision. Please visit the community for yourself; you may notice something your loved one missed.

This is very important! Once again, try to visit during lunch and eat with them so you can taste the food; you want to ensure it’s good. Don’t rely on pictures from the internet; you know how good food looks in TV commercials and then it doesn’t look that good at the restaurant? The same thing can happen in these communities, the rooms and/or food in the pictures can be fantastic and when you’re living there, it’s nothing like the pictures. So, please visit them for yourself and check them out.

5. Waiting too long.

Please don’t wait too long to make the move. This happens all too often and then you’re stressing out, scrambling around at the last minute trying to find a community for your loved one.

Make a plan, you know when the time is coming. Start the talk now. Rose and her partner, Susan, wrote a book, A Guiding Light for Seniors and Their Families , it is a comprehensive workbook that walks you through the stages of aging and helps you make a plan. It gives you pointers about how to start the talk, tells you what documents you need to have in order and so much more and it’s a free download from our website.

There is no reason for mistakes when choosing a community for you or your loved one. With the proper guidance, it can be a stress-free, hassle-free journey. Call Assisted Living Made Simple today for your FREE consultation. DON’T go it alone!!

If you need help or encouragement as a Caregiver give us a call at  386-847-2322 or check out our  Caregiver Support Group. Our  Senior Advisors  are here to walk with you through this journey.

What can a Senior Advisor do for you?

By Donna Nichols • July 17, 2025
A senior advisor is a personal guide or advocate for older adults and their families. Here’s what they can do for you: Help Navigate Options They can explain the differences between independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, and in-home care, and recommend the best option for a person's health, lifestyle, and budget. Find the Right Community or Services They often have knowledge of (and connections with) local senior living communities or services. They’ll: Match your needs to suitable options Setting up tours Even help ask the right questions Assist with Financial Planning Some advisors can help figure out how to pay for care: Understanding long-term care insurance Veterans’ benefits Medicaid/Medicare guidance Budget planning Guide Legal and Paperwork Stuff They can refer you to elder law attorneys, help with advance directives, or even help you understand contracts from senior living facilities. Support for Families They can act as a neutral third party when families struggle with decisions, easing tension and helping everyone feel informed and involved. Assist with Movers and Downsizers Some advisors have connections with movers, downsizers, and other people who can make your transition smooth.  If you believe a senior advisor can assist you, please call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation at 386-847-2322 . Our services are 100% FREE to you! What have you got to lose?

Beating the Florida Summer Heat

By Donna Nichols • July 7, 2025
Florida summers come in three flavors: hot, hotter, and what fresh hell is this? Whether you're a lifelong local or newly initiated into the Sunshine Sweat Fest, you know it’s more survival sport than season. So, how do we stay cool without losing our cool? Here’s your sun-savvy guide to getting through it. Make hydration a hobby Not just water, electrolytes are your best friends when you're sweaty. Coconut water, cucumber-mint spritzers, watermelon slices. If your drink doesn’t sparkle, chill, or drip condensation like a rom-com montage, it’s not summer-ready. Dress for success and summertime Loose, light, breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen, or the holy grail: moisture-wicking. Bonus points for sun hats and SPF clothing that make you look like a beach detective on vacation. Fans ARE your best friends Table fans, ceiling fans, handheld fans—the whole rotation. Keep them oscillating like your thoughts during a political debate. And if you’ve got a cooling towel? You’re royalty. Avoid the “Roasting Hours” From 11 AM to 4 PM, Florida turns into a convection oven. Errands, walks, and yard work? Schedule them early or late. Unless you’re trying to get baked like a Publix cookie—then by all means. Sunscreen is a lifestyle Apply, reapply, then pretend  you're an influencer and do it again. Because nothing says “I’m melting” like a shoulder burn shaped like your purse strap. Eat lightly Cold meals can be your best friend—salads, chilled pasta, and fruit-forward lunches are all options. Bonus points if you serve them on plates fresh from the fridge like the true champion you are. Rest, reset, repeat If the heat’s making you crankier than a mosquito at a citronella convention, take breaks: shade, air conditioning, quiet corners. Recharge without guilt—you’re surviving a sauna with its own zip code. Florida heat might be relentless, but so are we. With humor, hydration, and a healthy dose of stubborn grace, we ride the wave and keep the ice cubes coming. Stay cool out there, friends. You’ve got this.

Honoring Independence Day with Grace

By Donna Nichols • July 2, 2025
Not every 4th of July needs to burst with fireworks. For many older adults, especially those with tender hearing, health challenges, or a fondness for quieter joys, Independence Day can be just as meaningful in a slower rhythm. It’s the scent of something delicious simmering nearby, the comfort of a cool seat and a cherished show, and the simple dignity of being remembered; of having made it this far, with stories to tell and wisdom that still glows brighter than any sparkler. Caregiver Tips for a Thoughtful 4th: Keep things soft and soothing. Loud sounds can be jarring for seniors with sensory sensitivities, dementia, or PTSD. Choose instrumental patriotic music or old-time radio shows that bring joy without overwhelming them. Build a gentle plate. Soft, easy-to-eat favorites like tender pulled chicken, mashed potatoes, or a festive red, white, and blue parfait (layered Greek yogurt, mashed berries, and crushed graham crackers) keep things celebratory without strain. Spark memories, not stress. Bring out family photo albums, classic Americana films, or even music from their youth. Columbo, The Andy Griffith Show, or golden-age musicals can be a comforting trip down memory lane. Create rest-friendly spaces. A cozy chair near the window, a shaded seat outside, or even a reclined viewing spot for a live TV broadcast of fireworks can help them feel included without fatigue. Let them lead the conversation. Ask about what Independence Day meant to them growing up. You might discover tales of ration books, war bonds, or dancing at VFW halls. These stories are treasures wrapped in the quiet of the day.  In the end, Independence Day is about honoring resilience—the kind that’s quieter, often overlooked, but profoundly enduring. Whether you’re caring for someone, being cared for, or simply holding space for reflection, there’s beauty in choosing peace over spectacle. This Fourth of July, let’s celebrate not just the freedom of a nation but also the freedom to adapt, to rest, and to cherish those we love in the way that suits them best.