Retirement time is also the time to start planning your future living arrangements. As options for senior living grow by the day, it makes sense to choose your retirement home while you are still independent. Because finding the right retirement home can have more benefits for you than simply imparting geriatric care, especially if you choose one that provides continuity of care, catering to your needs as they change, thus allowing you to age in place. An increasing number of seniors are opting to live in retirement homes in recent years to avoid isolation that comes with old age and being home alone. While searching for a retirement home that best suits your lifestyle, you must consider certain features such as location, levels of care, access to health care, security, accessibility, palatability of food, recreation, cost, lifestyle, and others.
Top Features to Consider
Levels of Care
There are various types of retirement homes offering different levels of care, such as senior independent living homes, assisted living or personal care homes, nursing homes for skilled nursing care, memory care communities, and continuing care retirement communities. While continuing care retirement communities offer various services and multiple levels of care as residents’ needs change over a period of time, others may offer only one level of living. Senior independent living offers apartments and cottages for more active and self-dependent individuals. Assisted living facilities provide additional services and levels of care to seniors who need more assistance with activities of daily living like meals, showering, dressing and reminders. Seniors who are challenged by Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory loss, can move into memory care facilities that are especially designed for such patients. Nursing homes offer skilled nursing for short-term rehabilitation, or long-term care. Though you may not need additional levels of care at the current stage of life, knowing that option is available on the premises, can help alleviate future worries. Also remember to find out if that retirement home accepts Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care insurance and supplemental Medicare plans. Depending on your individual needs and preferences you may shortlist the retirement homes before proceeding further.
Budget
Cost is an essential aspect of finding a retirement home and its affordability a major factor. Sit down with your family and a trusted financial advisor to discuss the post- retirement state of your finances, especially your long-term savings and the recurring interest that will meet your new cost of living. Review your monthly bills and compare them to the retirement home costs, and the services it includes. Every retirement home has different fees and services. Some may include housekeeping, cable, basic utilities like water and electricity, and Wi-Fi for a low monthly fee which may be much lesser than the maintenance, property taxes, utilities, and other upkeep of your earlier home. If the retirement home requires an entrance fee as well as a monthly fee, that needs to be considered as well.
Location
With increasing age your body’s adaptability to weather decreases, making you more vulnerable. So, ask yourself what type of weather are you most comfortable living in, and then find out whether your shortlisted retirement home location has a similar weather for most part of the year or round the year. Also consider the medical care facilities such as hospitals, and recreation centres such as movie theatres, restaurants, picnic spots, etc. nearby, so that you do not have to travel far to enjoy such treats. Also living in close proximity to your loved ones, will help them visit you more frequently, and vice versa.
Medical Care
The availability of medical care, near the retirement home, and within the premises are of utmost importance. There should be great hospitals, and specialists nearby that accept new patients. At the time of emergency, a well- equipped hospital nearby could make the critical difference between life and death. The retirement home should provide you detailed information about local, reputable medical providers for finding a primary care physician, eye doctor, dentist, and more. The retirement home may also offer on-campus medical care or have visiting medical professionals from physical therapists to podiatrists.
Nutrition
Since food is the fuel that keeps you going, and healthy nutrition is as essential in old age as in youth years and childhood, and you will live here for the rest of your life, your retirement home should have plenty of food options including that of your taste. To find this out, go for a visit, ask for the menu and try a meal at the retirement home you are considering. Most retirement homes offer a variety of food options, ranging from a formal dining room with sit-down meals, to small on-site cafes, take away meals, and room service to small grocery stores. Your physical and mental health depends a lot on healthy food and consistent hydration.
Caregivers
The quality of your care will depend a lot on your caregivers, especially if you opt for an assisted care, nursing care or memory care facility. Talk to other residents and their guardians to find out if the caregiving staff is kind, compassionate and sincere about their job.
Accessibility
When you visit the retirement home, watch out for details like accessibility and safety features as they matter a lot. Compare details like biking paths, walkability, widened doors, elevators, stairlifts, and wheelchair ramps as well as installation of safety features like grab bars, handrails, and zero-threshold showers, and whether they are well maintained.
Housing Options
Since the new retirement community is going to be your home for the rest of your life, it should be as comfortable as possible. Consider the various housing options available, like suites, apartments or cottages- Whether they are comfortable, if your own furnishings and decorations are allowed, are the right amount of space you need, have enough storage and if the layout suits your lifestyle and activities. Above all, can you picture yourself living there for the rest of your life.
Security
Another important factor to consider while choosing a retirement home is whether its security measures are in place, the residents feel safe to enjoy activities and take walks without worry, there is a check-in area for visitors, the emergency response systems, security lighting, security cameras, are installed and working, and whether there is an emergency room nearby?
Recreation
Recreation is vital because it gives you something to look forward to and new activities to try each day. Whether you are a serial hobbyist or not, social activities are fun, and community life offers great opportunities to interact and make new friends. Speak with the residents, learn about the activity schedule and ask to see the activities calendar, whether it is full. Those with varying mobility and interests, may find opportunities better suited to them in a full recreation schedule. Ask the residents if they enjoy the recreation activities offered. Also, find out the recreational amenities available on-campus such as a fitness center, yoga classes, woodshop, craft areas, library, etc. and whether they include the areas of your interest. Apart from these, find out about transportation, shopping malls, local church services, movie theatres, restaurants etc. nearby.
Lifestyle and Culture
Living in a place that offers you quality life will add zest to your years. The retirement home should be close to nearby activities, libraries, shopping, beauty salons, entertainment, continuing education opportunities, cultural events, and more. Are there any restrictions or rules if you want to keep pets, plant a small garden, want to grill outside, or need someone to live with you long-term, or have guests staying overnight?
Maintenance
If you have opted for senior independent living, you must know what maintenance is available to you and how the repairs are handled. While some retirement homes include all maintenance in the monthly fee, others may charge you extra for any repair or maintenance work to be done in your unit. If you are away for a long period of time, your home will be checked regularly, for an additional fee.
Thus, it is of utmost importance where you want to spend the golden years of your life. That your retirement home is going to be the place where you will live for the rest of your life, take care to consider all the above features and more before taking the decision to move in.
