How to Choose the Ideal Retirement Community

Due to advances in technology and medical science, more people are living longer and increasing their quality of life. Many people are living into the 80s and even longer. As a result, retirement communities are being built to meet the growing needs of the elderly population. But with the number of choices, it could be difficult to know which one to choose. Following are some simple guidelines to follow when trying to pick the ideal retirement community for you or a loved one.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look in the Yellow Pages and on the Internet to get a listing of the retirement communities in your area. Go beyond your area, too, to get more results and options.

2. Find the price range of each retirement community and immediately disqualify any of the ones that you can’t afford. Insurance will only pay for so much so you might need to pay a large percentage of the cost with your own money.

3. Decide on the features you desire in a retirement community, such as a community swimming pool, meal services or onsite medical professionals. Make sure the communities with these features stay on your list.

4. Ask friends if they know anybody that has stayed in the community. Check with the local Better Business Bureau and other organizations to see if any major complaints have been filed with each community. If so, cross these options off your list.

5. Visit the communities. If you are choosing one for yourself, bring somebody with you to help ask questions. If you are choosing a community for a parent or a loved one, bring them along to get their opinion about the place. Narrow your search even further based on your visit and the impression you received from each place.

Tips & Warnings

• Some websites might have a rating system for area retirement communities. Try to find first-hand reviews and experiences before making a final decision.
• Bring a list of questions with you when you visit each community. Be sure to get all of your questions and concerns addressed before leaving the facility.
• If possible, visit the facility when the staff is not expecting you. This will give you a more accurate impression of how the residents are treated and how the operation is run on a daily basis.
• Don’t simply choose the least expensive retirement community. As the adage says, “You get what you pay for.” When it comes to taking care of loved ones, it’s important to find a facility with reasonable prices.

Resources

• MSN's Guide to Finding the Right Retirement Community
• Choosing a Community for Your Retirement Years