Frequently Asked Questions

There are a number of questions you might want to ask yourself:

• Is my house and yard becoming more of a “job” than an enjoyment? Has the joy of homeownership become an expensive, physically challenging or time-consuming burden?
• Am I spending more time on things I “have to do,” rather than things I “want to do?”
• What has happened to make me think about considering retirement living? Is there something that’s no longer “working” for me?
• Would I like more opportunities for socialization and to pursue the activities I enjoy?
• Do I have ready access to shopping, medical services, cultural and other activities, and transportation?
• Would moving to a retirement community be close to my friends and family? (We have observed that for many seniors, living in closer proximity to adult children or other loved ones is a key factor in making a move to Parkwood.)
• Is meal preparation a chore, or a joy? Would I enjoy having access to meals, if I choose?

Action steps:

• Start a conversation — as soon as possible. And recognize that acceptance of the idea may need to grow over time.
• Identify a few retirement communities that might be appropriate and tour them. (An important test: When taking the tours — do you immediately feel welcome and at-home? Parkwood Community is known for its family-like atmosphere. Please compare!)

There are many types of retirement communities — with a wide variety of fee structures. You will want to choose the one that’s appropriate for you. (Parkwood can help advise and guide you and your loved ones on this.)

Parkwood Retirement, for example, is a rental community. Residents sign a month-to-month lease.

Many seniors find that with the sale of their home, along with the associated reduction of taxes, ongoing maintenance costs, etc., making a move to a retirement community is not only reasonable, it makes a lot of financial sense. It’s important to consider not only the tangible costs, but also the intangible. Examples of some intangible benefits are peace of mind associated with no home maintenance, easy access to social opportunities without having to drive to them and the freedom to spend your time doing the things you enjoy most. We’ll be glad to help walk you through this process, and we have helpful guidelines that will help put the financial component into perspective.

You’re not alone! Some retirees find themselves overwhelmed by the prospect and process of moving. Downsizing, putting a home on the market and planning a move can seem monumental — until you break the idea down into logical, manageable segments. There are many methods to tackling all of your belongings. We’ve worked with many experts in this area and would love to share all of the information we have with you. It’s important to remember this is achievable!

One of the most important elements to look for in a retirement community is lifestyle. In times past, many senior adults were content to more or less park themselves and live out their lives. Not anymore! Today’s seniors have the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest. For example, at Parkwood there are many opportunities to join in culturally and intellectually engaging events.

The answer to this question is different for everyone. When you begin your search, make a list of the things that are important to you. The first things that tend to come to mind are things such as: apartment features, opportunities to socialize and meet friends, meals, etc.

Here are some other factors to consider:

1. 1. Ratings/experience – Check the community’s online ratings. This is a good way to see what others have experienced at the community. When visiting the community, talk to current residents. Find out how they feel about living there.
2. 2. Stability – Has the community changed ownership/leadership frequently? Understand the impact of those changes.
3. 3. Does it feel like home? This is really one of the most important aspects of selecting a community. Some things to ask yourself: Can I see myself living here? Do I feel welcome? Do other residents seem happy? If you can say it feels like home, you’ve made your decision!

Most people, upon moving to a retirement community such as Parkwood, find themselves wishing they had made the move much sooner! Your parent or loved one can enjoy a carefree lifestyle, free to pursue the activities they want and enjoy — rather than their responsibilities. They can be near family, in a “just like family“ atmosphere of a caring staff and friends their own age, with similar interests — where there are always activities and events that provide physical, mental, emotional and spiritual engagement.

One of the more challenging aspects of taking the next step towards assisted living is identifying a feasible payment plan for senior living in Dallas. Assisted living can be paid for using savings, Social Security benefits, pension payments and retirement accounts. In some cases, depending on the policy coverage, long-term care insurance may cover assisted living costs. Check your policy for details. VA benefits may also be an option for supplementing the costs for personal care services offered at assisted living communities. For your convenience, Parkwood Healthcare accepts check, credit card or direct pay through your bank.

Unlike traditional independent senior living options, assisted living apartments provide support and assistance with the activities of daily living, medication management and housekeeping services. Assisted living offers ongoing resident support alongside comfortable living accommodations and access to life-enriching services and amenities.

Plus, the level of support a resident receives in an assisted living apartment can vary based on their individual care needs, making it a flexible option for every stage of retirement. Amenities include three meals a day, emergency call system built into the apartments for peace-of-mind, and organized activities that appeal to the mind, body and spirit.

Traditional assisted living provides assistance with the activities of daily living, medication reminders and housekeeping services. This level of support provides senior residents with a great sense of freedom and independence while still providing support with basic needs.

However, there are times when that level of senior care isn’t quite enough. If you or a loved one needs a slightly higher level of care than what is provided in traditional assisted living settings, you have the option to explore enhanced assisted living. This unique offering is intended to help bridge the gap between traditional assisted living and skilled nursing.

Available service offerings include on-site nursing 24 hours a day, seven days a week, medication management, diabetic management, chronic incontinence management, podiatry assistance and more.

It’s much more than you probably think! Rehabilitative care is designed to help senior rehabilitation residents achieve the highest level of function and medical recovery possible. Using specialized rehabilitation care and occupational therapy, our senior residents stay motivated and return home as quickly as possible.

At Parkwood, we offer specialized care seven days a week that is led by a team of licensed nurses, advisory physicians and rehab therapists. From on-site therapy and ortho appointments to home evaluations, rehabilitative care is flexible to ensure every patient finds the support they need to achieve a positive outcome.

Skilled nursing communities are residences designed to house and assist individuals who have health conditions that require constant monitoring and availability of medical personnel. Skilled nursing care, sometimes referred to as nursing home care or extended care services, provides 24-hour supervision, meals, activities and health management support for residents. Some senior living communities offer designated residences and specialized care for people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

While skilled nursing care provides the highest level of care for seniors outside of a hospital, assisted living is best for those who need some help with bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and eating, but do not require 24-hour-a-day health care by doctors.

Skilled nursing care may be a good choice if:

• Both medical and personal care needs have become too great to handle at home or in another senior living community. This may be due to a recent hospitalization, or a chronic illness which has gradually been worsening.
• Your parent or loved one needs a higher level of care temporarily after a hospitalization, but a return to home or other accommodation is anticipated after a brief period of time.