Moving into a retirement home is a major life transition. It’s not always an easy decision to make, but knowing that you’re moving into a place with high standards for quality of life and care can make that move feel a lot easier.
When it’s no longer feasible to stay in your own home, you want to know that the place you’re moving into fits your lifestyle and expectations.
That’s why it’s so important to take your time, visit the residences, and even stay for dinner. As you’re taking your tour, these are some of the qualities you should be looking for. Senior residences today are redefining senior living for the better, and you should be able to expect much more from the place you choose to live.
#1 Great Food
Don’t forget to try the food! It’s a major part of how happy you’ll be in a retirement community, and you need to know that they get the food right.
You want to make sure they make food that’s both healthy for seniors, who have different nutritional needs than someone younger and that it’s really, really tasty. The last thing you want to do is dread meal times! You should also ask about meal alternatives, hours, availability, and other concerns that you may have.
#2 Strong Sense of Community
A great sense of community encourages you to get social and get involved. A great place to live is more than just a building; it’s a place with exercise groups, debate clubs, craft nights, movie nights, and more.
A mix of activities and resident-led clubs are always a good sign that a place is home to a strong sense of community.
#3 Independent and Assisted Living Options
Not everyone is looking for the same thing in senior housing. Some families are looking for independent senior living, while others need more assistance and seek out assisted living. These are two different solutions to senior housing, and knowing may change your view of senior housing.
With independent senior living, residents have their own suite in a building, but there’s usually a common dining room. There may also be cleaning services and laundry, but by and large, residents look after themselves. They may even have their own kitchens. It’s a style of housing that takes a lot of the burdens of cooking and cleaning off the table, but residents still live independently.
Assisted living is for seniors who need regular assistance with activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene and mobility. Local assisted living places provide a safe and comfortable environment for seniors, offering personalized support and care services to meet their needs. There’s also nursing care, which someone might require after an injury or a medical operation.
But above all else, make sure that the living space is structurally sound and has great ventilation. You may want to hire a contractor to inspect the building for this purpose. Ask if they use technology, such as drywall estimating software and project management tools, as this will show that your contractor is diligent. It also means they’ll have more time to spend on inspecting your home, as automation can free up hours in a contractor’s day.
It may help to know that more involved care options are available should they be needed. The future potential of transitioning from independent to assisted living can provide peace of mind, knowing that you or your loved one won’t have to move again.
Expect more from your retirement community. It should fit your lifestyle and be a fun, energizing place to live, where you have your space, but there’s a robust community never far away.
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