Looking for the Right Retirement
Community?
Asking These Questions will Help
By FRANKLIN T. FOWLER
Many senior adults are thinking of or looking
for a retirement community home in their future. Some may be
ready to move now; others are thinking of it, but saying “not yet.”
Following are my advice and comments after living in such a community
for close to 20 years. (In this article, I will refer to a retirement
community home as a Home.)
One of the early decisions you must make is that of determining when you
are ready to move. I cannot tell you when this might be. My advice: Do
not wait too long. Do not wait till you cannot adjust to living in a
Home. Remember that sometimes there may be a long waiting time for a
specific apartment at your choice of the Home. Also, you may wait too
long and find that you cannot meet the entrance requirement at the Home
you prefer.
Be Prepared for Changes
Are you ready for the changes that will occur on moving? You may have
been living in the same house for many years. Are you ready to leave it?
You probably have dear friends living in your neighborhood that you will
miss. You may be leaving your church in which you grew up if it is not
located fairly close by.
If you are moving into another neighborhood some distance away, you may
be leaving your doctor, your bank, your lawyer, and so on.
In some Homes you may not be allowed to have pets, beyond fish in an
aquarium or perhaps caged birds. Can you do without your pets?
Be sure you are prepared emotionally for these changes.
There are many other questions you should answer before signing your
contract with any Home. To help answer these questions you will want to
visit various Homes. Here are some of the things you should observe and
consider in choosing a retirement home.
Location
One of the first decisions you will have to make is location. There are
advantages and disadvantages for you to consider.
1. Do you want to be close to where you have been
living?
2. Do you want to be close to your children and
grandchildren? Remember, they tend to move; and if you have more than
one child, which child do you want to favor?
3. Do you want to be in the mountains, by the
seashore, in a city, in a village, in the country? What climate do you
prefer?
4. Do you want to be in a Home owned by an entity of
your religious belief?
Financing
Each Home will have its own financing program. Study it carefully.
1. Some will have only monthly fees. You rent your
apartment on a monthly basis. Check carefully what your monthly fee
covers and what it does NOT cover.
2. Some will have an entrance fee, plus a monthly fee
which may include meals, upkeep, transportation when necessary,
utilities, and so on. Again, check carefully.
3. If there is an entry fee, is it refundable if you
decide you have made a mistake?
Before you make a final decision, consult with your
lawyer or financial adviser to find out if you can afford this
particular Home. It is embarrassing to be turned down. Your
qualifications will be based upon your assets, disposable income, set
expenses and life expectancy.
Ask for a copy of the Financial Statement or the Disclosure Statement of
the Home you are contemplating.
Health Care
You may be in perfect physical health now, but we all know that good
health is not necessarily permanent. We do decline in our health as we
grow older.
Some Homes have their own nursing department, with 24-hour nursing care
and even periodic physician visits. Others do not have this service.
Check carefully. As we grow older we will depend on these facilities, so
look carefully at what each Home offers. Visit their nursing unit and
keep your eyes, ears and nose open.
1. Inquire as to what different levels of care are available in their
nursing unit.
2. Is there an Assistant Living Unit? If so, what is the service
available?
3. Is there a Dementia Unit? If so, what is the
service and the safety factor there?
4. Is emergency care available 24 hours a day?
5. Is there an exercise room, properly equipped? Is
the exercise unit directed by a qualified instructor?
6. Is there a swimming pool available? If so, is it
indoors and heated? Is a lifeguard provided? What are the filtration and
purification facilities? Inquire as to how often the swimming pool is
used.
Dietary Facilities
In a Home, dining services can be both a nutritional and a social event.
While visiting different Homes, insist on seeing the dining room, the
kitchen and the weekly menus. If possible, have a meal there, taste the
food, experience the service.
1. How many meals are provided with the monthly fees?
Do you pay separately for each meal?
2. Are the meals served cafeteria-style or directly
to the tables?
3. Are the residents assigned a table, or are they
free to choose their seating accommodation?
4. Is there a dietician on the staff? What are the
arrangements for special diets?
5. What are the regulations for “carry out” meals? Is
there flexibility in the hours meals are served?
6. What is the cost for visitors’ meals?
7. Are tips allowed or encouraged?
Transportation
If you still drive your car, inquire as to parking facilities. Are these
fairly close to your apartment? Is there protection for your car?
Though you may still be driving your car, the time will come when you
should or will have to give up driving. When you are investigating
different Homes, find out what the transportation services are.
1. If needed, does the Home provide transportation to
your medical and dental appointments?
2. Is transportation available to grocery stores and
other shopping facilities? Are these added expenses?
3. Some local churches provide transportation to
Sunday services and at other times for their members. Find out if your
church goes to the Home you are contemplating.
Recreation Opportunities
1. Does the Home provide for your particular hobby or hobbies such as
woodworking, gardening, art, reading, etc.?
2. Does it have a library?
3. Are there educational opportunities?
4. Are Bible and/or religious classes available?
5. What are the entertainment programs, if any? What
cultural opportunities are offered?
6. What opportunities for volunteer work both in and
out of the Home are given the residents?
7. Is a staff person assigned specifically to direct
the recreation?
8. Are these opportunities included in the monthly
fees or are they an additional cost?
Security
Unfortunately, in our day, security becomes very important. Be sure to
inquire about this.
1. What protection is there? Are there locked gates
and doors after certain hours?
2. Are the parking lots well lit and are there night guards?
3. Are fire alarms and a sprinkler system installed
in the apartments and throughout the buildings?
Maintenance
1. Will you be responsible for the maintenance of your living
facilities? What is provided and by whom?
2. If the Home provides maintenance, will you be
billed for it?
3. Is there round-the-clock service in case of
maintenance emergencies?
Also, if the living facilities of the Home are
located a multi-storied building, inquire about the elevator
availability and location.
Independence
I have occasionally heard the argument, “I do not want to give up my
independence by moving into a Home.” My answer is that you are not
giving up any independence, but rather gaining much more: “When I feel
like mowing the grass, I lay down till the urge passes.”
1. Does the home have arrangements for grass cutting,
grounds upkeep, and so on?
2. What arrangements are provided when you go on an
extended trip?
3. To help in your independent living, what
facilities are available, such as a small grocery store, a beauty shop
or a bank?
4. What is the mail delivery service? Are facilities
available to send packages and buy stamps?
Gain Knowledge
Finally, talk with residents who have experienced what you are now going
through. The staff is committed, but they have not gone through the
actual steps you are now facing. Residents, in most cases, will tell you
like it is.
May wisdom prevail as you seek a retirement community for your future.
Franklin T. Fowler, M.D.,
is a resident of Lakewood Manor in Richmond. He extends his gratitude
for the help of some of the residents and staff with this article.
