How to Choose a Retirement Community

Maybe it’s time for you to select a retirement community for yourself. You might have no idea where to begin. This is something that you likely haven’t given much thought to. There are a few things that you should do when it comes to deciding on a retirement community.

Do Your Research Before Visiting

When you are trying to decide on a retirement community, you should look around. Ask relatives and neighbors for recommendations. You can also look for reviews online. This can help you get an understanding of which retirement communities are better.

You can also call around to get more information. Ask questions about pricing, amenities, the location, and anything else you may want to know. Masonicare at Mystic, a Connecticut retirement community, notes that a phone call can give you insight into the employees’ attitudes as well.

Tools to Use

There are countless retirement community websites out there. They can help you locate retirement communities based on your location or preferences. Some of these include:

• SeniorLiving.org
• NewHomeSource.come
• FrontPorch.net
• RetiredBrains.com
• Seniorly.com

There are other websites available that are specific to your state or city.

In addition, you should look into reviews. You can find many of the retirement communities and their reviews from a quick Google search. You can also use a website like TopRetirements.com/reviews. This will show you reviews from retirement communities so that you can see how the residents and their families like the communities.

Think About What’s Important to You

Everyone has different needs. You might have a certain budget you want to stick to. Maybe you’d like to move somewhere warm or live near your children. Seek out retirement communities that meet your expectations.

You should be open to several options, but you do need to draw the line somewhere. If something is truly important to you, make sure that it’s kept in mind.

Some retirement communities offer a variety of activities and services. These are great for some residents. Others couldn’t care less though. Make sure that these amenities line up with your priorities!

Evaluate Your Health Needs

Some folks choose to move to a retirement community to help them adjust later on. They may or may not have serious health needs. Retirement communities generally offer some medical assistance.

You may not need any medical help though. When you’re looking into retirement communities, look into the medical services provided. The level of assistance varies by community. Some communities offer several options here too.

It can be helpful to ask your doctor for an opinion too. They might be able to guide you in the right direction as far as medical needs are concerned.

It’s important to find out if there are specialists on-site or nearby. Not all retirement communities offer the same medical care. If you have a particular need, ask a staff member about it. If there is a specialist in the area, call to confirm that they have space for you.

Plan a Visit

You should physically visit your top retirement community choices before making a final decision. According to SRG Senior Living, you should “get a feel for their culture.” It’s also recommended that you try out an activity or a meal while you’re there. This can give you an idea of what the community is like.

If you are interested in moving to a different state, you might consider taking a weekend trip to visit the communities. This will help you to know what the weather is like too. You should explore the surrounding areas to see what you can do in your free time.

According to WikiHow, these are a few of the factors to consider when visiting a retirement community:

• Cleanliness
• Residents
• Staff
• Contract

Important Considerations

Choosing a retirement community is a big decision. According to Senior Living, these are the considerations you should make when choosing a community:

• Recreation: Take a look at the activities available. Make sure there are plenty to choose from that interest you.
• Medical Care: You want to ensure that the community offers the medical care that you need. Another important point is to check if there are specialists nearby.
• Lifestyle: Look into whether or not pets are allowed. Ask about visitors and long-term guests too.
• Maintenance: You may not be able to handle all maintenance tasks on your own. See what type of maintenance is available to you. Look for a service that is on call 24/7 if possible. 

Choosing a retirement community might sound like a daunting task. Luckily, with the right steps, it can be a stress-free experience. Make sure you know what you want in a retirement community. Do your research to find a few that fit your needs. You should also ask for references from friends, family, and others.