At a certain point in your life, you may start thinking about moving into a retirement community. here are 5 key questions to ask when considering it.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are considering early retirement.
According to government data, nearly three million people over the age of 55 are thinking about retiring earlier than they had planned. With healthy retirement funds and the realization that no one is guaranteed a future, aging Americans seem interested in making the most of their golden years.
Many older Americans find their ideal lifestyle in a retirement community. Good retirement communities often offer beautiful scenery, convenient amenities, and a community of like-minded people to be a part of.
But moving into a retirement community isn’t as simple as it may sound. As with all major life decisions, there are certain questions you need to ask before choosing a community to spend the rest of your life in.
In this article, we’ll go over what to consider when moving into a retirement community. We’ll give you an idea of what to expect when you start looking for a community to join, as well as five key questions to ask beforehand.
Keep reading to find out more.
What are your lifestyle requirements?
This may be an obvious question, but it’s one you won’t want to forget.
The most important financial concern will be whether you can afford the basic cost of living in the community. However, you’ll also want to ask exactly what features, services, activities, and amenities are included.
Aside from the basic cost, communities may require their residents to meet certain financial criteria. This is basically to ensure that you’ll be able to continue making the monthly payments without any trouble. The community may need to know what your current income is and what future earnings you expect to receive from your assets.
It is also important to consider your health and activities you want to participate in– if you want to stay active, do they have a fitness center or walking/biking paths nearby?
If I need a higher level of care in the future, what will it cost?
It’s one thing to meet the community’s financial and health requirements today, but that may be a different story five years from now. After inquiring about the basic costs and medical criteria, the next question you should ask is what it will cost if you need a higher level of care later.
Some retirement communities offer a guarantee of meeting all future medical needs, no matter what they are. Others will have fee structures in place for various health services. Make sure you find out how this one works, and make sure you’re prepared for any future costs.
May I visit the health center right now?
No one really appreciates a surprise visitor, but when it comes to medical centers, they must be prepared for anything, including unexpected guests. You’ll want to tour the health center as soon as possible, and preferably when no one is expecting you. This way, you can find out exactly what condition it’s in on a day-to-day basis.
If the retirement community you’re considering doesn’t allow last-minute visits to the medical center, this should raise a red flag. In a good retirement home, the health center will always be ready for guests, with a representative to guide you and your family around. If that isn’t the case here, try somewhere else.
How much space will I have?
This is another obvious question, and it’s one you should find the answer to yourself upon seeing the available apartments. However, it’s something you should think about carefully before deciding to move.
Moving into a retirement community will often require you to downsize from your current standard of living. This could involve selling antique furniture, parting with family heirlooms, or giving up items you’ve been collecting.
If you already live in a fairly small home and don’t have that many belongings, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. But either way, you should inspect the apartments carefully and figure out what you could fit inside.
Can I try living here before I commit?
Not all retirement communities will give you the option to “try before you buy.” But if the one you’re visiting does, you should take them up on it.
There’s only so much you can learn about a community by reading its promotional materials and speaking to its representatives. To truly figure out what living there is like, it’s important to experience it for yourself.
In addition to touring the neighborhood, find out if you can join some of the residents for dinner. This will have the added benefit of letting you see what the people are like. You may even get to spend a night in a guest suite.
Find Your Ideal Retirement Community Today
It may seem daunting to move into a retirement community. But with the right information, it doesn’t have to be. As long as you know how to prepare, moving into your new retirement home should be simple.
When you look for a retirement community, whether for yourself or a loved one, you should start with a reputable business that cares about your best interests. Connect55+ can answer all your questions about finding a retirement home and get you connected with the ideal community for your needs.
To get all your questions answered and start your search, contact us today.
