Choosing a retirement home is a big decision. You will sell the house you have made into a home and move all of your belongings into a residence that is easier to maintain and can provide you with the memory care that you require. How do you choose the right retirement home? These are some of the most important factors to consider.
Location of the retirement home
Location might be the deciding factor in the retirement home that you choose. Perhaps you want to stay close to your current location so you can be around your family and friends. Make you prefer to move somewhere that has a warmer climate or to a better walking city. You can easily narrow down potential retirement homes by searching within a specified location. Fortunately, there are plenty of retirement homes across the country, making it easier to find one that meets your needs and that is also in your preferred location.
The level of care
The level of care that is provided might be another important deciding factor. More than three fourths of assisted living residents have had at least 2 of the 10 most common chronic conditions, high blood pressure and Alzheimer?s disease and other dementias were the most prevalent. Most assisted living apartments offer some type of assistance, but it is important that you cater your assistive needs to the type offered. Almost four in 10 assisted living residents received assistance with three or more activities of daily living with bathing and dressing being the most common.
The safety of the retirement home
You also want to choose a retirement home that is safe. A safe retirement home includes one that has an emergency medical plan in place and keeps the residents secure from outside intruders. Always request information about how emergencies are handled and what safety policies are in place. Never choose an assisted living home that does not have some type of safety plan. If you require a place with memory care, you also want to choose a location that is familiar with increased safety for Alzheimer care homes.
The daily activities of the retirement home
Because you will be spending all of your time in this new residence, you want to choose a place that offers plenty of entertainment. According to the 2009 Independent Living Report by ProMatura Group, LLC, research shows that when you become part of an independent living retirement community, you are more likely to make new friends and try new things and most report a better experience than they expected.
Choosing a retirement community with plenty of on site activities will allow you to fill your days with entertainment, without having to arrange for off site transportation. Request information about specific activities for Alzheimer residents. Inquire about food options and if there is a resident dining room. It is also important to know about any off site events and how transportation is arranged.
The medical care of the retirement home
Most seniors make the choice to move to a retirement community because of increasing medical care needs. For this reason, it is necessary to choose a retirement home that makes health care a priority. Find out how many medical staff is regularly on site. Consider how you will receive your medical care. Will you be required to leave the community or can you visit your primary physician on site? If you do have to leave the community, is there a complimentary transportation service offered?
Each and every retirement community is different. Choosing the right one requires a good amount of research. Evaluate which characteristics are the most important to you and then choose your retirement community based on this. Always make safety a priority and consider which retirement community will make you the most satisfied.
