Those who are searching for a retirement community for their family members will benefit from this family guide, which will help you better understand the senior living options that are available.
When Is Assisted Living Necessary?
Many retirees are independent-minded and reluctant to relocate to a new place, especially when they’ve been living in the same home for decades. However, such moves may become necessary when your loved ones reach a point where they are unable to perform basic daily activities on their own.
Will Your Loved Ones Lose Their Independence?
One of the most common myths regarding retirement communities is that by moving there individuals will lose their independence. However, the opposite is actually true; when you relocate into a quality retirement community, you’ll be able to maintain your independence longer by living in an environment where numerous daily chores will be performed on your behalf. This greatly reduces stress which lowers the likelihood of developing disease while giving residents the time and space to focus on the things that matter.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Retirement Community
There are a number of factors to consider before moving into a retirement community and these are health and wellness, the amenities, location, dining, pet accommodations and medical assistance:
- Health and Wellness: Retirees need lots of wellness and exercise options, and a reputable community will offer both. From strength training to yoga, swimming, tennis, hiking and Tai Chi, the best communities offer diverse activities to members that keep them fit while being fun and exciting.
- Amenities: The best retirement communities will do more than just provide the bare essentials. They will go above and beyond the norm, providing hair salons, concierge services, upscale transportation, housekeeping and gourmet dining.
- Location: Ideally, you want your parents and grandparents to live in a community that isn’t too far away from the rest of the family, and which is close enough to a metropolitan area to enjoy the conveniences of urban living but far enough away to not be affected by the stress, hectic lifestyle and traffic.
- Dining: Standard retirement homes have developed a poor reputation for serving bland food, and this is because it is often cooked by medical staff that has no background in the culinary arts. The top retirement destinations employ professional chefs that can prepare mouthwatering meals each day.
- Pet Accommodations: A quality retirement community will allow a variety of small pets. Research has confirmed the benefits of owning small animals particularly for those who are 65+ years of age and ideally retirement communities will provide veterinarian access.
- Medical Assistance: 24/7 medical assistance and monitoring is a necessity for many aging retirees, especially those who are suffering from advanced conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Additional Retirement Relocation Tips
We recommend choosing a location which is in close proximity to your loved ones, where they won’t have to travel long distances to visit you. Always keep an open mind and when it comes to financing you may want to consider a residential equity loan to assist in the transition between properties.
To learn more about our senior living community in GreenTree At Westwood, feel free to contact us today!