5 Questions to Ask When Touring Retirement Communities

According to a study by AARP, a whopping 90% of adults over the age of 65 want to age in place. But to a select few, aging in place holds no appeal. They’d rather trade their cozy homes for a retirement community. And why not? These communities are created for active adults, offering everything from on-site gyms to pickleball to karaoke night! You might be ready to book the next flight to Florida and move into a gorgeous retirement community you found online. But first, you need to do a little research. Sure, you can read every Google review you find and enjoy a virtual tour of a community, but you also need to visit it in person. When you’re there, drinking in the sights and meeting new people, you might be ready to sign any papers the community director pushes at you. Before you put your signature on any dotted lines, ask yourself these 5 questions.

What type of housing is available?

Retirement communities are kind of like snowflakes. Translation: No two communities are alike! Some, like Del Webb at River Islands in Lathrop, California, have newly-constructed, two- to three-bedroom homes in a resort-style setting. Meanwhile, Woodlands Independent Living, a retirement community based in Huntington, West Virginia, boasts apartments and cozy cottages. Arizona-based Enclave at Chandler offers several different care options, including assisted living and memory care. So, take a moment and ask yourself the following questions:

1. What’s your budget?
2. Are you better suited for apartment living, or would you prefer a three-bedroom home?
3. Is your home or apartment accessible? Will it be safe if your care needs change?
4. How much storage does your new home or apartment have?
5. Is your new apartment or cottage private enough for your taste?

What type of care do they offer?

When you hear the words “retirement community”, what do you think of? Florida? Shuffleboard? An independent living community for active adults? Well, what happens if a resident’s care needs change? Will they have to find a brand-new retirement community that provides the level of care they need? Not necessarily! Some retirement communities, like the award-winning, faith-based Garden Spot Village in New Holland, Pennsylvania, are CCRCs. That stands for continuing care retirement community! These communities can accommodate any level of care. That means that if ten years down the line, you end up needing skilled nursing or memory care, you won’t have to start your search for the perfect retirement community all over again. Meanwhile, Del Webb Catalina in Florida offers plenty of amenities and recreational opportunities (can you say pickleball?) without any healthcare options. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you see your health needs changing ten years down the line? Five?
2. Would you have more peace of mind if you moved to a CCRC?
3. Do you have any current health issues, and would you feel better knowing there was a healthcare provider on campus?
4. Do you have a family history of any chronic conditions or dementia?

What amenities and services are offered?

A lot of communities offer “resort-style amenities”, which is really just a fancy way to say “the sort of amenities you might enjoy on vacation.” That means swimming pools, hot tubs, an on-site gym, fine dining, and more. In the case of Mayfair Village, a high-end retirement community near Lexington, Kentucky, that means personalized transportation, enrichment activities, and fitness classes! In terms of services, they also offer 24-hour security and weekly housekeeping! If you’re touring a retirement community like Mayfair Village, stop and make sure you can answer these questions:

1. Is it important to you to have on-site entertainment? If not, is the retirement community near a town with entertainment options?
2. Do you want someone to take care of your landscaping and mow your lawn?
3. Do you enjoy cooking for yourself, or does the thought of being served three chef-prepared meals a day appeal to you?
4. Would you use an on-site gym or walking trails?

What kind of social atmosphere does the community have?

Socializing is important for all ages, but for seniors, it can be the difference between a healthy brain and one riddled with dementia. (Yes, really!) One of the perks of retirement communities is that they offer a thousand social opportunities. They’re not called a retirement community for nothing! But as I said before, no two communities are alike, which also applies to their social climate. When you visit, be observant. You can’t gauge the community feel in one visit, but you can get a pretty good idea of the social atmosphere. As you look around and people watch, ask yourself these questions:

1. Are the staff members helpful?
2. Did the residents seem friendly?
3. Did you see activities and social events going on?
4. Were people accommodating to you? Did they answer your questions?

What is the dining program like?

I don’t need to tell any foodies reading this how important the food at a retirement community is. For example, Chandler Place, an independent living community in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has restaurant-style dining with a menu that rotates seasonally. Meanwhile, Roseville, California-based Sierra Regency has an executive chef and all-day dining, with a DIY breakfast bar and a soup-and-salad bar at dinner. When checking out the dining room in a retirement community, be sure you can answer these questions:

1. Do they accommodate food allergies? Dietary restrictions?
2. Did the menu seem varied?
3. How many meals do they serve a day?
4. Did they serve foods that you like and enjoy?

Where can I find a retirement community?

Click HERE to begin searching for retirement communities near you.

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