The Top Amenities Retirees Want in A Community
Once you decide to move into a retirement community, know that it involves two pivotal decisions. More often than not, the next course of action you would take stems from the answer to two questions: What kind of lifestyle do I want once I retire? Is this the best and most appropriate place to achieve that lifestyle?
After you have answered and addressed both questions, know that your journey does not stop there. As a discerning prospective homeowner looking for the best place to settle down in your senior years, it is inevitable to be a little keen and thorough in your selection. You will understandably have a rather large list of wants and preferences—as it should be. Keep in mind that you are not only choosing a lifestyle that you can enjoy now but also for the years to come. However, do not be so quick to write off properties that are satisfactory but otherwise fall short of your expectations. Indeed, you should be able to check off all of your most-wanted items off your list when it comes to choosing a senior living community, but learn to compromise whenever possible. Also, it would be helpful to have gained an insight into what top amenities and services your communities should have that you may not previously have thought of.
In this way, you will have access to everything you can ever want and need throughout the entirety of your retirement. While the ideal retirement community differs for everyone, having a starting hope helps you evaluate whether the property you are checking out is the right fit for you. Moreover, it will aid you in making an informed decision as well as ensure that you are getting the absolute most for your money and lifestyle. Before we dive into the list of must-have amenities in a senior community, knowing what the tips are for ensuring you are choosing the best senior living community can be helpful in your search.
So, whether you are looking for a retirement property in the form of a house and lot in Cabuyao or a condo unit elsewhere, below are some tips to help you jump-start your search:
TIPS IN CHOOSING THE BEST SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY FOR YOU AND YOUR WANTS
1.) Create a list of the things that are most important to you
Much like how you make a list of wants and needs for your first home, you should also create a list of the things that are most important to you in a senior living community. This list will be different for everyone depending on individual wants, needs, and interests. If you are focused on lifestyle, make sure you choose a community that reflects that. If you want the best care possible, evaluate that.2.) Consider your future needs
Anticipate what your needs will be in the future and make sure the community you choose will address and meet every need. In this way, you can avoid choosing a community you have grown to love, only to be compelled to move just because they do not offer the care you need and desire.
3.) Visit the community and talk to the residents before finalizing your choice
Before you make up your mind about a particular community, it would be helpful to get a feel of the community by visiting it personally. If that is not possible, you may want to opt-in to taking virtual tours and talking to the current residents as well as their families. The residents can give you an unbiased view of their community as they are not trying to sell it to you. In this way, you can ensure that you know all the ins and outs of the community you are scouting.
4.) Evaluate based on top amenities
After you have scouted potential communities for properties, you will likely end up with at least three or more top picks. Evaluate each based on their amenities and choose the best one that addresses your needs, wants, and lifestyles. If you do not know which amenities should make it to your list, consider some of the listed items below.
TOP AMENITIES TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
a.) Wellness Opportunities
Getting old is a fact of life. However, aging should not be a tedious and cumbersome process, but this depends on your approach. That said, it is not enough to be surrounded by all the essentials one would require to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle if your quality of life prevents you from enjoying it. Regardless of your condition and age, you should be able to look for a community that allows you to improve your quality of life. Look for a community that offers a myriad of features that enables a healthy lifestyle, such as on-site spas, private wellness centers, and the like.
b.) Security, Maintenance and Housekeeping
As you approach your twilight years, you want to be able to enjoy every moment you have. You do not want to be allotting precious time taking care of or worrying about daily chores or tasks. Like many seniors, you are likely searching for a community where you do not need to be thinking of these things. Search for a senior living community that offers housekeeping services at least twice a month, scheduled transportations that take you to the places you need and want to be, round-the-clock security, home maintenance services, and whatever else you may need.
c.) Opportunities to Be Pampered
Plenty of retirees and seniors overlook the importance of having haircuts, spa days, or special treatments. Luckily, it is one of the best aspects of senior living communities. That said, you should be able to choose a senior living community that offers relaxing programs, has a salon nearby, a barbershop, and all the amenities you need to pamper and rejuvenate yourself. All of these would not only help you feel your best but look your best as well.
d.) Convenient Locations
Seniors and retirees tend to gravitate towards adult communities with great amenities nearby and their friends in proximity to their property. Apart from that, you should also strive for a vibrant neighborhood close to restaurants, museums, churches, and other various points of interest. The stereotype is that retirement communities are quaint and quiet towns, but they do not have to be boring. You can have the best of all possible worlds by choosing a charming community that is expertly and wonderfully integrated into large cities to provide you with limitless options for activities.
e.) A Strong Sense of Community
Active adult communities typically have seniors and retirees who wish to remain social. That said, they wish to live in neighborhoods where opportunities for socialization are present. They want to be connected with their neighbors and look for community amenities that help cultivate a true sense of community. Look for communities that allow spaces for members to gather—whether this may be a clubhouse or simply a gathering area where people can congregate and connect with other people. This can be a space for classes like yoga or any other type of class.
Apart from building a sense of community, neighborhoods that hold events and even the opportunity to work remotely are important to active adults—many of which are still working.
f.) Low-Maintenance Homes
As said above, you would want to spend your retirement relaxing and enjoying what you have earned. After all, you would not want to work almost all your life only to spend your retirement in the upkeep of a large and empty house. Instead, look for compact but comfortable living spaces—preferably ones with included maintenances for any front yard of home exteriors.
g.) High-End Homes
Just because you are downsizing and moving into a compact home does not mean you should skimp on home quality. As a retiree, you would still want your home to have the same feel and luxury features as your old home. Fortunately, this is possible. More importantly, modern and new homes are now equipped with smart home features that can be controlled via smart homes.
h.) Walking Paths
While wellness centers are a must, walking paths are also imperative to ensure that you can remain active, healthy, and mobile during your retirement. With walking and biking trails, you can easily traverse to nearby areas without needing to drive.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The things listed above are just a few of the top amenities seniors and retirees may be looking for in a senior living community. Keep in mind that the above allows for independent living, which allows you to learn and do more and embark on new relationships. With the right community, you can ease into the transition of moving into a new neighborhood fairly well. More importantly, the right community can support the kind of lifestyle you have and allow you to still explore your potential—even in your twilight years.