After many years of hard work, retirement should be a time for you to take a well-earned break and relax. But before you can do that, there are a few things you need to think about, including whether you want to move into a retirement home.
A retirement residence can be the perfect solution for someone looking to give up the family home and downsize. Or maybe you feel like you want to have a little more security of knowing that someone will be on hand to help if the tasks of daily living get a little harder as you get older.
1. Location of the home
One factor that will play a major role in your decision is where you want to live. Will you choose a home in your local community or do you feel like having a fresh start somewhere else? Are you perhaps considering the option of a retirement community, where a larger number of seniors live in close proximity with a wide range of services just for them?
Whatever choice you make, it’s crucial that you do your research first. The internet is a good place to start. If you don’t know what’s on offer locally, a quick search will show you the retirement homes in your area.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to move further afield, you can look up the homes on offer in other towns or cities.
2. What services are on offer?
You may be looking forward to the convenience of having cooked meals provided on site. If you’re more concerned about interacting with other residents, you’ll want to look for a home with spaces for social gatherings and events. On the other hand, you might have specific medical needs that require hospice care services in your building.
3. Check your surroundings
The surrounding area will also be important. If you’re less concerned about having meals offered on site, you may want to ensure that your retirement home has a grocery store close by, or a restaurant or cafe where you enjoy going. If you receive regular medical treatment, you could decide to make sure you only have a short journey to the nearest hospital.
4. How much will it cost?
To avoid unnecessary stress, and make sure you choose a retirement home that you can afford, you should give some serious thought to what you can realistically pay for your new home.
Places in a residence can be secured on a rental basis, or you can buy an apartment outright, much like you would anywhere else. The choice you make will likely depend on the amount of savings you have been able to build up throughout your working life, the level of your pension, and whether any relatives are in a position to assist you.
It’s important that you keep in mind all of the costs you expect to face in your retirement. Do you want the peace of mind of knowing that you own your apartment in a retirement residence? You may already feel that you will soon require a higher level of care and support, such as that provided in a nursing home. That could lead you to opt to rent a room, allowing you to keep more money in reserve for the years to come.
5. Plan ahead
Choosing where you want to spend your retirement is a major decision that will have a huge impact on your life. That’s why you don’t want to leave anything to chance.
It is a good idea to begin thinking about your options some time before you take the final decision to move into a home. That way, you’ll be able to take the time you need to find a residence that is best suited to your requirements and avoid being rushed into something you’re unsure about.