A retirement community – when is the right time?
Nobody likes change! Especially as one gets older. Moving out of the family home which is comfortable and all so familiar, and into a retirement community is often the last thing that one wants to do. Besides, the family home is often filled with family memories, privacy and space and there is always a fear that it may be lost when you downsize and move into a retirement community.
The reality, however, is that – for most people – sooner or later the good will be outweighed by the challenges that are faced as you continue to hang onto the past and the, often too large, family home.
When is the right time to make the change?
At Clear Path we have identified 5 main points seniors should consider when deciding if it’s time to make the move.
Your health at a retirement community
Most retirement villages will have a nurse or matron who will do daily or weekly rounds to residents and do routine checks. Giving the senior the opportunity to chat with a medical person and ask questions about something that is concerning them. It is often reassuring to have someone to bounce thoughts or concerns off of.
A fair portion of retirement villages also have assisted living and frail care facilities, giving medical and nursing support that may be needed should your health deteriorate. It often only takes one incident before access to these facilities is looked at as reassuring and comforting.
Retirement community saving you money
The cost of running a household continues to increase. This, alongside the fact that having a swimming pool or an expansive garden and lawn that are no longer used just doesn’t make financial sense. A retirement village is a ‘lock up and go’ lifestyle. Of course, there are levies to pay, but because the new home is a manageable size the expenses that go with it are also often easier to chew.
Security at a retirement community
Security is a concern to us all in this society. But seniors are even more vulnerable and at risk, especially when living alone in a big family home. A retirement village gives full-time security guards on the premises, neighbours close at hand as well as limiting direct access to your residence from the street. These are all good reasons to downsize and gain the extra security and sense of safety that a retirement village can give.
Household upkeep
A combination of a smaller, more manageable home and garden along with the fact that the retirement village will be responsible for the general upkeep of all communal areas reduces maintenance responsibilities significantly when living in a retirement village. It is essentially the best of both words – increased security, maintained gardens and often a handyman on-site without any of it your own responsibility.
Companionship at a retirement community
In a retirement community, without high walls, electric fences and motorized gates it is much easier to meet and get to know your neighbours. Most retirement communities offer some sort of social events, which one may or may not decide to take part in. Loneliness is often a challenge for seniors and the opportunity to engage and meet people in similar situations to yourself can make retirement village living very attractive.
Now that you have an idea of the positives, click here for guidance on how to help your parents make the decision to move. Click here to visit our Facebook page for more insight into how we work.