The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Retirement Community

The decision to move to a retirement community is an important one that will affect your lifestyle and finances. The right choice can make you feel happy, excited, and comfortable. When touring communities, note whether the monthly fee includes meals, housekeeping services, fitness classes, and other amenities. This will allow you to compare costs between communities more accurately.

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Amenities

Whether you’re shopping for your own retirement home or that of your parents, it’s essential to consider the amenities on offer carefully. It’s not just the oversized items like golf courses and pools. “You need to think about things that could improve your life.” For example, look at a community that offers home maintenance, utilities, meal plans, and transportation services for a monthly fee. This makes it easier to compare costs and ensures you’re getting what you need from the community. Also, pay attention to the neighborhood. Does it feel safe and welcoming? How are the restaurants and shops nearby?

Safety

A sense of security impacts one’s ability to enjoy life. When choosing Orlando retirement communities for yourself or a loved one, tour it and take note of the safety features. Observe how staff members and residents interact. Is there a warm and welcoming atmosphere? During your tour, also be sure to check out the dining options. Taste-test the chef-prepared meals at beautiful indoor venues as part of your evaluation. Be sure to consider dietary restrictions and special needs as well.

Health Care

Whether you need memory care, assisted living, or skilled nursing, knowing that the retirement community you choose offers the health care you require is essential. Look for a reputable primary care physician nearby, as well as information about area specialists. When touring, check out the apartments to ensure they are spacious and designed with aging in mind. Pay attention to the flooring and how much natural light reaches the space.

Ask about pricing to determine what services are included in the monthly fee. This will allow you to compare apples to apples when comparing different communities. Ideally, you will find a price point that fits your budget now and in the future.

Dining

In a day when food is king, it’s not surprising that dining options are becoming more important for seniors looking to choose a retirement community. Many CCRCs borrow pages from the cruise ship playbook and offer multiple dining options for their residents. Moreover, menus now incorporate brain-healthy diets featuring foods that promote memory health, such as oily fish, berries, walnuts, and vegetables. And the dining experience is transforming, too, with more communities serving meals at smaller tables that encourage closeness and conversation. Plus, more and more CCRCs offer all-inclusive dining, meaning your monthly rent unlocks every dining destination and snack bar in the community.

Social Activities

Different people have different needs and desires. Some want access to cultural offerings like art galleries and theatre, while others enjoy sports or want proximity to major-league entertainment. Ask the facility to see a monthly calendar and review it to ensure the types of activities you enjoy are included. Also, consider the surrounding neighborhood, including nearby shopping, restaurants, and cultural offerings. Cost is a factor, but it should not be your only concern. Compare the monthly fees of several communities to ensure that you are comparing apples to apples. Then, ask yourself if you will sacrifice some of your needs and wants for financial savings.

Transportation

Many retirement communities offer transportation options, but they are all different. Some have flexible schedules, while others have rigid ones. If you or a loved one enjoys traveling, look for a community with convenient access to local airports, train stations, and other travel hubs. In addition to transportation, consider the surrounding neighborhood when you tour a retirement community. Look for a safe, welcoming, well-maintained area with various stores, restaurants, cultural offerings, entertainment venues, and other services. Also, pay attention to how nearby homes are faring in the real estate market. This could have a direct impact on your housing expenses in the future.