What to look for when choosing a retirement community

1
What to look for when choosing a retirement
community
2

• You work, and you save for your entire life, and
  now its time to enjoy yourself. Youve been
  looking forward to retirement for years nowmaybe
  decadesso you want to do it right.
• But there are so many questions before you can
  pack your bags and start living your new
  post-career life. It all comes down to finding
  the right fit, whether thats the best retirement
  communities for active adults or luxury
  apartments.
• Were here to make it a little easier. Here is
  what you should look for when youre choosing
  retirement and 55 communities.

3

• Lifestyle
• Think about the lifestyle you have now. Do you
  want anything to change, or would you prefer your
  lifestyle to stay relatively unchanged? The
  lifestyle should be your first consideration and
  can include a variety of aspects.
• How independent would you like to live? Are you
  interested in living on your own, or would you
  like a caregiver in some capacity? Your
  independence is an important factor and a great
  place to start.
• Then consider the extras in your life. Do you
  have a pet, and will the community allow the
  animal to move in with you?

4

• Are you allowed to have family members under 55
  live with you, or would you prefer 55 and older
  communities? Can you plant a garden or a grill on
  the patio?
• Maintenance
• Many retirees want to downsize when they move
  into a retirement community. If thats your plan,
  then you should find out what the maintenance is
  like in the community youre looking at.
• The scope of maintenance varies from one
  community to the next. While some have entire
  crews to maintain the grounds, others allow the
  residents to be independent and handle
  maintenance on their own.

5

• In some communities, maintenance is included in
  the costs of the monthly fees. While others will
  charge you depending on what kind of work you
  need. If the community handles the work, youll
  want to know what kind they cover.
• Either way, youll want to know who is
  responsible for handling repairs to your unit.
• Amenities
• Now comes the fun part of looking at retirement
  communities all the amenities. Most often, these
  are the bonus features that can set communities
  apart.
• But there may be some amenities that you dont
  want to live without in your new home. The key is
  to identify your wants and needs.

6

• Amenities can vary depending on the style of the
  community. High-rise senior apartment communities
  will probably have different features than a
  community of homes on a large stretch of land.
• Common amenities in 55 communities include a
  fitness center, security, on-site dining,
  housekeeping, a library, and activity spaces or
  common rooms.
• While these are necessary, they make a living in
  these retirement communities much more fun.

7

• Recreation
• Hand in hand with amenities is recreation. If
  youre someone who likes to get up and get
  moving, youll want to find one of the best
  retirement communities for active adults.
• Youll want to find a community that promotes
  socialization between residents, so you will have
  things to look forward to doing every day. Ask to
  see the recreation schedule or speak with current
  residents about the recreation.
• The best recreation programs will have a mix of
  on-site and off-site activities. You may have an
  ice cream social, movie night, or game night in
  the building. And shopping trips, museum outings,
  and nice dinners in the city.

8

• Be sure to ask what the transportation to any
  off-site activities is. Are there buses or
  shuttles, or will you be responsible for getting
  to and from the activities?
• Location weather
• These communities cant change the weather, but
  youll want to keep it in mind as that can
  influence the location of the retirement
  community you choose.
• Are you looking to spend your days somewhere
  where its sunny and above 80-degrees every day?
  Do you like experiencing every season? Or maybe
  you love colder weather and the snow.

9

• When it comes to location, there are a few more
  factors than the weather. Are you moving out of
  state? If so, it would be a good idea to take a
  trip to the area to get a feel for your new city.
• Will you be moving closer to or farther away from
  family? This may affect what features you look
  for in the senior apartment communities you
  choose to tour.
• If you live near family, you may choose to live
  more independently because family members may be
  able to help with chores whenever they visit.
• However, if your senior community will be hours
  from family, you may choose to live in a
  community where the staff offers more assistance
  to the residents.

10

• Budget
• Of course, you have to consider how much all of
  this will cost. No matter where you live or what
  kind of home you choose, the budget is a
  significant factor.
• It would be worth it to sit down with a trusted
  family member or financial advisor and crunch the
  numbers. What are your savings, monthly bills,
  and expenses adding up to?
• This will help you determine how much you can
  afford to pay for a retirement community. Of
  course, what you want to pay may be a different
  number. Keep both of these front of mind when
  touring locations.

11

• Find the best retirement communities for active
  adults, senior apartments, or 55 communities for
  you
• Its time to enjoy your retirement in whatever
  way feels right to you. Are you looking for the
  best retirement communities for active adults or
  want a slow and relaxing pace, there is a
  retirement community waiting for you.
• Finding the right retirement communities, senior
  apartments, or 55 communities that will assist
  you or allows you to live as independently as you
  wish. Find the community that offers the
  amenities you want to enjoy.
• Most importantly, find the community that feels
  like home.
• Ready to get the most out of your retirement?
  Contact us to schedule a tour of one of our
  stunning communities.

12
Get in touch with us
Luxurious Senior Living in Olathe
Senior Living Apartments in Ankeny
Independent Senior Living in Indianola