Today’s seniors have over 30,000 assisted living communities to choose from across the country. To find the right match, families should think about pricing, amenities, and transitional care options. First, however, it’s useful to consider senior living community locations.
While you may assume that all senior living communities are alike, there can be substantial differences between urban and rural locations. Deciding between the two requires a balance of both personal preference and practical considerations.
Read on to discover the pros and cons of both urban and rural senior living options to make an informed choice.
Access to Healthcare
One of the many benefits of moving into a senior living community is access to basic healthcare support. For example, staff members can often assist with medication management. Communities may provide transportation services to help residents get to and from doctor’s appointments.
Residents will also need access to professional healthcare outside of their community. In this arena, urban senior living communities tend to outperform rural ones.
Research shows that urban populations often have better health outcomes than rural populations. On average, rural areas have:
- Higher rates of uninsured patients
- Fewer licensed practitioners
- Lower rates of chronic illness testing
Make sure to research local healthcare options before making your decision. General and specialized medical care are both crucial to long-term health.
Cost of Living
Cost tends to play the biggest role in finding senior living. When you’re budgeting for senior living, consider assets like:
- Savings accounts
- Retirement funds (e.g., IRAs, 401(k)s, and pensions)
- Investment portfolios
- Tangible assets (e.g., residential properties and cars)
- Long-term care insurance
The cost of senior living covers a lot of essentials, like housing and food. During your senior living location comparison, you may notice that rural communities cost less. This has to do with the overall lower cost of living in rural areas.
It’s worth noting that the cost of living in rural areas is rising, potentially at a faster rate than in cities. The difference in cost between urban senior living communities and rural senior living options may be lower than expected.
Opportunities for Socialization
Here at SummerHouse Vista Shores, our residents have the privilege of enjoying vibrant New Orleans culture. We have easy access to locations like:
- New Orleans City Park
- New Orleans Botanical Garden
- New Orleans Museum of Art
On top of these attractive spots, residents can always count on finding live jazz music in the streets, theaters, and local eateries. This creates ample opportunities to socialize and interact with people from all walks of life.
When weighing the pros and cons of rural senior living, it’s important to consider opportunities for leisure and socialization. While seniors will doubtless enjoy the company of their fellow residents, they may have limited access to off-campus events and activities.
Community Amenities
Many senior living communities strive to provide comparable amenities, regardless of location. You’ll often find on-campus amenities like:
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Basic medical support (e.g., medication management)
- Safe and comfortable living quarters
- Private and communal dining options
- Health and wellness programs
- Recreational activities (e.g., game nights, guided arts and crafts, and gardening clubs)
One of the many benefits of urban senior living is the potential for top-tier amenities. Factors like easy access to a wide variety of food and visiting entertainers can help staff members cultivate a lively and fulfilling community culture.
Peace and Quiet
It’s no secret that rural areas tend to be quieter than cities and metropolitan suburbs. It can be easier to connect with nature in areas that aren’t as developed. Lower population density can lead to lower crime rates.
If you’ve always lived in rural areas, adjusting to city life may seem difficult or even undesirable. In this case, you may prefer the peace and quiet rural senior living communities can offer.
That said, senior living communities in urban areas strive to create safe, secure living environments. Private quarters allow residents to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Local parks ensure that residents have access to nature, offering a taste of rural tranquility.
Proximity to Loved Ones
Second only to budgetary concerns, proximity to loved ones is one of the most important considerations for seniors. While you’re bound to build strong connections with staff members and neighbors, it’s always a plus to see close family members and friends as often as possible.
Consider how close a community is to your loved ones and how easy it is to get there. If the majority of your friends and family live in the same place, this is an easy factor to account for. What if everyone is spread out?
Large cities are often easier to access than rural areas, thanks to regional infrastructure. For example, New Orleans has a mid-sized airport and an intermodal train and bus station. Even long-distance loved ones can plan visits with relative ease.
Community Size
There’s one factor that seniors often overlook when choosing their senior living community, and that’s community size. How many residents live in a community on average? What is the staff-to-resident ratio of a community?
You’re likely to find options all over the spectrum in both urban and rural areas. For example, a rural area may have a large senior living community if it’s the only option in the region. An urban area may have small senior living communities if there are dozens to choose from.
In this case, one is not better than the other. It all comes down to personal preference. You may prefer a small community because you enjoy a quieter atmosphere, or you may prefer a large community because you enjoy socializing with a wide group of people. Either way, make sure to research community size before making your final choice.
Find Senior Living Community Locations in NOLA
There are pros and cons of rural senior living and urban senior living. In the end, only you can decide which option is right for you.
If you’re looking for senior living community locations in New Orleans, consider SummerHouse Vista Shores. We offer exclusive SummerHouse programs like our Sensations Dining Club and Celebration activities and events schedule, meaning seniors can have just as much fun at home as they’ll have on the streets of NOLA. Contact us to learn more or schedule a tour.
