When moving to an independent living community, one of the most important issues you need to address is the floor plan. You will often need to choose an apartment that is not only appealing but which also makes it easy for you to move around. When choosing the ideal floor plan, always consider the present as well as the future. If you happen to have a chronic disease that impairs your movement, you would be better placed to choose a floor plan which allows for uninterrupted movement. If you’re moving in with your partner, you may also need to take the needs into consideration to avoid future problems.
The important elements to consider when picking a floor plan in a senior living community include:
Privacy
Make sure that the apartment you choose has all the privacy features you need. The bathroom should have windows that are either tinted or stained to make it difficult for people from the outside to get a good look at the bathroom.
Enough Space for You and Your Partner
The apartment should have a floor plan which provides enough space for you and your partner. This may come in the way of extra companion suites or bedrooms and living rooms that are large enough for two rather than one. When it comes to space, the most important thing to remember is to first appreciate what your needs are in terms of space and then also consider the special needs that your partner may have. If you plan to live alone, some of the things that may influence the amount of space you need include the activities that you might need to involve yourself in. If you are a painter, for instance, you may need an apartment that has a large indoor space and a balcony which provides you with enough space and natural light for you to paint.
Additional Storage Space
In choosing an ideal floor plan, storage space is essential. Your apartment should have enough space to store everything you need for your stay which may extend to several years. When moving into an independent living community, it is critical to identify what you need for your stay there and not to bring more. Moving in with too many things may make the apartment feel cramped and may reduce the total amount of space available to you. To avoid the feeling that you have too much clutter, only move with exactly what you need. You could choose to put the rest of your items in a storage facility or leave them with your family members.
Customization
Find out if it’s possible for you to customize your floor space to make it suit your needs more. Some independent living communities will allow you to do this at an extra charge depending on the extent of the changes you need to make to the floor plan. this may also be influenced by the state of ownership of the apartment during your stay. For instance, if you choose to buy rather than rent an apartment, you will have a larger say about changes you need to make to the floor plan.
