As you approach your golden years, you may be thinking about what you want out of life and where you’d like to call home. Most likely, your needs have changed as you’ve gotten older — your children have grown and now have lives of their own, you have an accomplished career, and now you’re looking to be able to continue to enrich your life in ways you may not have had time for before. Choosing the right senior living community will be one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you transition into this exciting time. Here are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind as you search for the best fit for you.
Level of care
One of the first things you should consider is what level of care you currently need or may need in the future. Some communities only have independent living, and others may have independent living and assisted living options, which are ideal if you believe you may need additional help as you grow older. Some communities vary in assistance with everything from daily tasks to more advanced care, such as memory and nursing care.
Location
Location is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a senior living community. Do you want to stay near family, or would you prefer to broaden your horizons and live in another state or city? Do you want to have access to beaches, mountains, or larger cities where you can indulge in the culture and activities of the area and be close to entertainment, shopping, and restaurants? Or do you prefer a small town or rural feel?
Lifestyle
What kind of experiences and services would you like to have in your day-to-day living? Amenities vary vastly from community to community so it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Are you set on swimming pools and fitness centers? What about gardens and nature trails? Restaurant-style dining services or meal plans? What about libraries or game rooms? Knowing which types of amenities are important to you and which ones you can do without will help you narrow down your search of the perfect retirement community. What about services? Do you need access to transportation? Would you like someone else to take care of housekeeping and laundry so you don’t have to? What about social activities, educational opportunities or activities, fitness classes, painting or gardening? When checking out places, ask for a few months’ worth of activity calendars to see if they offer what you’re interested in.
Once you’ve gathered some basic information on the retirement communities available to you, take tours of ones that have sparked your interest the most. As you tour, talk with staff and residents and take note of how the place feels to you. Are the staff friendly? Do the residents seem happy? Finally, be sure to consider if the community is a good financial fit for you.
For more information on what we offer at Ardenwoods, visit our contact page. You can schedule a tour and come see for yourself the refreshing, comfortable and inspiring atmosphere we offer for our residents!