Learn About Retirement Living

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What are the different types of retirement living options?

Each and every facility is unique, even when a facility is part of a chain. There are continuing care retirement communities with multiple levels. There are free standing independent apartment complexes; free standing assisted living complexes and free standing nursing homes. Your needs would determine the type of facility that best suits you.
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How do I know if I can afford retirement living?

This is a question we hear a lot. In most facilities utilities, maintenance, some laundry, and some meals are included in the fee. Use the monthly fee to compare to costs of staying in your current living situation. Remember to include utilities, taxes, insurance, fees paid for the yard work, and maintenance of your home. There should be a staff member available, at the facility you are considering, who can go over financial information with you.
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Do I need long term care insurance to live in a retirement community?

No. Long-term care insurance is primarily for nursing homes, not independent retirement communities. Some long-term care insurance will pay for licensed assisted living facilities and a few other policies will pay for facilities that provide a certain number of specific services.
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How do you know when it is time to move to a retirement community?

The level of care that your retirement community offers would determine when it would be appropriate to move in. Anytime you meet the minimum age requirement and want to scale down, and eliminate chores like snow shoveling and mowing, you can consider a move to independent duplexes. Independent living apartments offer more services in a more sheltered environment, so usually people looking at this move are still independent but would benefit from meals, housekeeping and other homemaker’s services. In assisted living the resident would benefit from some personal assistance as well as from help with transportation, medications, bathing, etc. A skilled nursing home requires a doctor’s order for admission and offers skilled nursing for those who need physical and/or mental assistance.
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What is a continuing care retirement community?

Simply, it’s a living complex developed specifically to meet the needs of older individuals. The complex has different levels of living, from various forms of independent to assisted living or a skilled nursing area. Each level offers a different service package that helps meet the needs of the older individual as they age. The resident can move through the various levels while staying on the same campus.
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What should I look for in a retirement community?

The obvious is if the community is clean, well maintained, and has curb appeal. Talk to the residents and ask questions. Do they like their home? How does staff interact with residents? Does staff know the residents by name and are they friendly and caring? Next, check the activity calendar. Are there things to do that entertain and stimulate? Most important, does the facility feel comfortable to you?
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What are the benefits of living in a retirement community?

Statistics prove that people who live in retirement communities live longer than other older Americans. There are several reasons for this. First, older Americans who live in retirement communities have more social interaction and activities, which provide mental stimulation and companionship. Second, most facilities provide at least one meal a day to ensure better nutrition. Third, most facilities provide on call emergency medical service. Lastly, there is also a reduction of stress because the staff provides maintenance and repairs. All of this, with the security that the community provides, gives older Americans a sense of well being and a healthier environment to live in.
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