Searching for the best retirement community can be challenging. You will find different retirement villages with various amenities and features. But since you will spend your senior years in this community, you must think smart before finalizing your decision.
The search starts by learning more about the kinds of retirement communities in your area. You also need to check the levels of care provided at each facility. Here are the things you must consider before selecting the best retirement village for you. If you wish to find out more about aged care facilities be sure to check out MACG.
1. Determine the Right Type of Retirement Community
There are several options you may explore to help you find the best place to stay for you or the senior members of your family. Staying in the retirement village is also the best solution for someone who can still actively take care of themselves but wants to let go of the burden of maintaining a home.
Some of the most common types of retirement communities include:
- Independent living – Retirement villages offering independent living programs provide all of the amenities you can find in traditional homes. But it also includes the services of dedicated staff who you can call when the need arises. It also has restaurant-style dining, housekeeping services, on-site service providers like salons and barber shops, and other life enrichment programs.
- Assisted living – This type of community also features everything you can find in an independent living community. However, it also includes supportive living services like personal care, assistance in daily routines like bathing and grooming, dressing up, and medication management.
- Memory care – If you or the senior member of your family needs special assistance in memory care, you may look for communities programs intended for their needs.
2. Know Your Government Funding Options
Countries like Australia offer subsidies in different aged care homes. It allows all senior citizens to access affordable care and senior support services. According to the MyAgedCare of the Australian government, they will pay the funding directly to the aged care home.
The funds are usually computed based on the assessment of retirement villages using a tool called the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) and how much your budget can afford to contribute to your care and accommodation expenses through means assessment.
3. Check the History and Reputation of the Retirement Community
When evaluating your options for you or your senior family member, you must ask how long the village has been operating. You must also ask how long the current management has been working with the community. It is also best to check the tenure of the employees.
You may also check out online reviews to learn more about how community members and their families think about the retirement village. If you find negative feedback about your potential community, you may discuss it with the staff to get their side of the story. The way they respond to the negative reviews can paint a better picture of them.
4. Consider the Location
Knowing where the village is located is also important in choosing a retirement village. For example, you might have family members you want to visit often, or your family would like to see you all the time. So you can look for a place near your loved ones.
Other location considerations include the village’s proximity to malls, dining establishments, and healthcare facilities. It should also be near public transportation terminals like train and bus stations.
5. Overall Ambience
Perhaps the most difficult yet most important factor you need to consider when searching for your retirement village is the “it” factor. You are the only one who can determine the best place where you can feel comfortable.
You must visit more than one community to get a feel of what you can experience once you begin to move in. You may also observe the staff and the residents know if they are happy with their community.
Finding a senior community does not have to be overwhelming. You only need to find the right one that matches your personality so you can move into your new home immediately.
