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.

The Heart of Guidance: The Role of a Senior Advisor in Elder Care

By Donna Nichols • September 5, 2025
In a world that often moves too fast, senior advisors offer something rare and essential: time, understanding, and a steady hand. Unlike their counterparts in the business world, senior advisors in elder care aren’t focused on profit margins—they’re focused on people. Who They Are Senior advisors in this space are often seasoned professionals, caregivers, or community advocates who help older adults and their families navigate complex decisions. They may work in senior living communities, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, or independently. What They Do • Guide families through transitions: Whether it's choosing assisted living or downsizing a home, senior advisors help make sense of it all. • Advocate for dignity and autonomy: They ensure that older adults’ voices are heard and respected in every decision. • Connect to resources: From transportation and wellness programs to Alzheimer’s and grief support, they know where to turn. • Offer emotional support: Sometimes, the most valuable thing they offer is a listening ear and a calming presence. Why It Matters A senior advisor isn’t just a resource—they’re a lifeline. They help families breathe easier, empower older adults to make informed choices, and bring compassion into moments that can feel overwhelming. If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds like me,” you’re not alone. Many of us play this role informally, answering questions, calming nerves, and connecting dots. Whether you’re a professional advisor or a trusted neighbor, your presence makes a difference.  If you or someone you love is facing a big decision and could use a calm, caring guide—we’re here. No pressure, no jargon, just real people ready to help. Call us today on 386-847-2322 to start the conversation. Sometimes, the first step is simply knowing you’re not alone.

Grandparents Day: A Celebration of Heart, Humor & Heritage

By Donna Nichols • September 4, 2025
September brings a quiet kind of magic—the golden light, the hint of fall in the air, and a moment to honor the everyday heroes who’ve shaped our lives with love, laughter, and legendary stories: our grandparents. Whether you’re a grandparent yourself, a grateful grandchild, or someone who’s been “adopted” by a wise elder in your life, Grandparents Day is a chance to pause and celebrate the beautiful bridge between generations. What Makes Grandparents So Grand? • They’re walking history books—with tales of jukeboxes, moon landings, and the original recipe for Sunday gravy. • They’re master cheerleaders, showing up with hugs, cookies, and the kind of encouragement that sticks for life. • They’re wisdom whisperers, offering advice that somehow makes more sense with each passing year. And let’s be honest: they also have the uncanny ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room. A Legacy of Love Grandparents teach us that love doesn’t have to be loud to be lasting. It’s in the quiet gestures: the handwritten birthday card, the saved newspaper clipping, the way they remember your favorite snack or ask about that thing you mentioned weeks ago. They remind us that resilience is built over time—through hard work, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Their stories carry lessons we didn’t know we needed until we suddenly find ourselves living them. And for those who’ve lost a grandparent, this day can be bittersweet. But it’s also a chance to honor their memory—by sharing their stories, cooking their favorite dish, or simply whispering a thank-you into the September breeze. Celebrate with Us: A Little Fun for the Big Day This Grandparents Day, we invite you to: • Share a memory: What’s one moment with a grandparent that still makes you smile? • Send a shoutout: Post a photo or quote from your favorite grandparent on social media and tag us.

Honoring Our Elders: National Senior Citizens Day

By Donna Nichols • August 14, 2025
On August 21, we pause to celebrate the heartbeat of our communities—our senior citizens. This day isn’t just about marking a date on the calendar. It’s about recognizing the wisdom, resilience, and warmth that older adults bring to every conversation, every gathering, and every generation. Wisdom That Lights the Way From stories of first jobs and family traditions to lessons learned through love and loss, seniors carry a lifetime of insight. Their experiences are more than memories—they’re guideposts for those still finding their way. Today, we honor those stories and the voices behind them. Connection That Matters Whether it’s a neighborly wave, a shared recipe, or a quiet moment on the porch, seniors remind us that connection doesn’t need fanfare—it just needs heart. National Senior Citizens Day is a chance to say, “We see you. We value you. We’re better because of you.” Ways to Celebrate Host a storytelling circle or memory-sharing event Share a favorite photo and the story behind it Create a “Senior Spotlight” wall with quotes and wisdom Invite younger generations to learn a skill from a senior (gardening, baking, crafting) Spend time—listen, laugh, and learn A Day of Gratitude Let’s make August 21 a day of genuine appreciation. Whether you’re a senior yourself or someone lucky enough to know and love one, take a moment to reflect on the richness they bring to our lives. Their legacy is living, breathing, and beautifully unfolding every day.  This is a day to be celebrated every day! Senior citizens bring so much fulfillment to our lives, and we need to embrace the moments we spend with them, for they are precious.