Retirement is a chapter in your life, and what’s written there will depend on how you embrace this new era.
Choosing the best living community for seniors can be the start of something exciting: beautiful surroundings, convenience, and an active social life to rival your twenty-something grandchildren.
This guide will help you find the perfect retirement community match for your needs. Read on to discover the factors you’ll need to consider and how to make the right choice.
Decide on the Type of Community You Need
Finding a community to match your needs is crucial because not all communities are the same, and not all seniors have identical requirements.
It needs to fit your health and lifestyle needs and how they might evolve in the future. Perhaps you are seeking lots of independence in your retirement.
If that’s the case, you might consider looking for a community that embraces an active lifestyle, with group day trips, fitness classes, and fun social events.
These communities combine a wealth of amenities with extra conveniences, offering maintenance-free living at its best. Alternatively, perhaps you need a community that provides more personal health care, in which case an assisted living setup might be best.
That will give you care for needs such as dressing and bathing. For some, a medical diagnosis like dementia might be the driving force for a retirement service that offers ongoing memory care support for a progressive disease.
Retirement Homes Near Me: Factors to Consider
Outline criteria that are important to you when searching for a retirement community. Here are some ideas:
- The location and proximity to close family
- The price
- Care services available
- Amenities
- Private living space
- The communal spaces
- Activities
- Housekeeping and other services that offer convenience
- The outdoor space
Writing these down will help you identify and prioritize the factors that best suit your requirements. It will help you eliminate a few from the start that doesn’t meet your needs.
How To Compare Health and Well-being Services
All communities will offer healthcare services, and some will provide wellness support. To compare them, you’ll need to delve into more detail about the type of support each community offers to residents, such as:
- Emergency response procedures
- On-site health care
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Physical therapy
- Mental health support
- Specialized care
In terms of wellness, you want to focus your search on amenities that will help you stay in optimum health in your later years. That might include:
- Fitness classes
- An on-site fitness room
- Walking groups
- Yoga, tai chi or pilates
- Mindfulness or meditation classes
Speak to each community to find out how adaptable these provisions are. If circumstances or health challenges change, you want support that will change with you.
Evaluate the Social Side of the Community
The most enjoyable part of any retirement community is the social aspect. A great community will have plenty of activities on offer to meet everyone’s interests.
Look for a community that provides weekly activities and social events that suit your tastes. Here are some events and activities you might see advertised:
- Group book or film clubs
- Arts and crafts workshops
- Day outings to theatres or shopping malls
- Games and quiz nights
- Special celebratory dining events like Chinese New Year
- Outdoor activities like a gardening club
If you don’t see information listed, ask the community for a copy of the latest activities calendar. It’s also worth finding out if they allow residents to organize new social events if there is enough demand.
The Best Retirement Neighborhoods and Proximity to Family
When you shortlist senior living communities, you may find a location that looks impressive, with a beautiful view.
That’s often enough to win the day. However, don’t forget that choosing a location is also about the practical aspects. Proximity to the family may be important.
If you already live near relatives like children and grandchildren, you may want to focus your search on those who are within reasonable driving distance so that they can see you on day visits.
You should also check what transportation the community offers and whether that allows you to visit family or make an appointment to see your current doctor. Many will provide private transportation and shuttle services.
Choosing a Retirement Community: Establishing Your Budget
Before you can choose a retirement community and finalize your move, you must have a proper retirement budget.
It’s not only about how you pay for the community but about whether you can afford the additional care costs if your health needs change. Look at the pricing structure for each community on your shortlist.
Do they have an all-inclusive price for accommodation, meals, care support, and services? Are there monthly fees and extra charges for services used?
One model isn’t necessarily better than the other, but understanding the pricing will make it easier to compare similar options.
Book a Tour
Don’t finalize any community choice until you’ve had time to tour it in person.
It’s the best way to get a feel for everything that is hard to convey in brochures or websites, like staff friendliness or the community atmosphere. When taking a tour, pay close attention to aspects including:
- Private apartments
- Outdoor and communal spaces
- Talking to the staff
- On-site services
- Talking to other residents
- Cleanliness and comfort
- Security
Come prepared with a set of questions to ask the staff. Make a note of anything that you like or dislike so you can use that information to make a final decision.
When speaking to staff about pricing and availability, make sure you get some information about timescales for when you can move and whether there is a waiting list.
Finding the Best Living Arrangements for Your Senior Years
There is no shortage of retirement community options, but it’s vital to do your research to find the best living arrangements for you. Look for one that embraces the lifestyle you aspire to in your later years while giving you the care and support you need.
SummerHouse Alexandria offers the highest quality community living in stunning surroundings. To find out why other retirees put us at the top of their list, arrange a tour with our team today.
