Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer seniors a maintenance-free lifestyle. They also provide a sense of community and belonging.
Seniors who move to a retirement community early often enjoy a thriving social life, thanks to many onsite activities and events. The earlier you choose a district, the more options you’ll have.
You’ll Have More Options
Knowing your needs and desires is important before searching for retirement community accommodations. For instance, although some individuals want to be near their friends and family, others prefer a social setting where they can mix.
Residents report happier and healthier lives after relocating, according to CCRC polls. Find a neighborhood with various facilities to make the most of your relocation.
In addition to recreational facilities, ask about onsite medical care. If your community is located near a top-rated hospital, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you can receive the necessary care. Ensure the community provides other essential services, such as yard maintenance and housekeeping.
You’ll Have More Time
When you can choose your retirement community early, it is easier to compare options by checking out their web site. For example, you can decide whether a single-family home or condo is best for your needs. You can also look at amenities like access to beauty salons, libraries, shopping and cultural activities.
Touring communities during different times of the year is also a good idea. That way, you can see the area’s appearance in both the summer and winter.
You may exhale with peace when you move into a retirement home, knowing that your healthcare requirements will be met for the rest of your life. This is crucial since it might save you from making a tough choice later on under pressure.
You’ll Have More Money
It might be difficult to balance a retirement community’s benefits and drawbacks. If a family member is assisting you in making a choice, you must agree on your objectives.
Greenberg recommends putting extra money into your retirement account to get started. Every tax refund or salary bonus is a good opportunity to do this. She also suggests paying off any credit card debt to free up money for saving.
If you’re shopping for an independent living community, look for one that offers perks such as hair salons, gardens, libraries, music rooms, exercise classes and housekeeping services. Choose a community with the option for higher levels of care if you need it later.
You’ll Have More Time for Family
Many seniors need help deciding what type of retirement living is best for them. From a 55-plus community to a life plan community (also known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC), there are so many options out there that it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Choosing a retirement community early can help you narrow your choices down. You can select a community that can support your needs today and in the future.
Tour a community to see how the residents and staff interact with one another. Look for teams invested in connecting with residents and creating meaningful friendships. And don’t forget to ask about amenities—you want to make sure your community can offer all the things you’d love in a home for retirement.
You’ll Have More Time for Yourself
Whether you’re looking for your retirement community or the best one for your elderly loved one, you’ll find a much more efficient search process when all family members are on the same page. This reduces inefficiencies that stem from conflicting goals and enables you to make decisions more quickly and effectively.
You’ll also have more time for your hobbies and interests in a retirement community because many of these places offer a wide array of amenities such as hair salons, libraries, gardens, music rooms and group classes. Many senior communities also have transportation services that can help you get around town or to doctor’s appointments or other destinations as needed.
Finally, you won’t have to worry about mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway anymore. This alone can free up much time to do what you enjoy most.
