Amenities to Look for in a Retirement Home

From providing independent luxury living to assisted living, memory care, and full-time 24×7 skilled nursing care, retirement homes offer a wide range of living options as the needs of the residents change over time. With the advances in medical science these days, seniors are now living a long and healthy life, even with chronic conditions. Mostly they want to age in place, trying to remain physically active for as long as they can. But at some point in time, they may need caregiving help.

Making the transition from a single-family home to a retirement home is a crucial decision they have to make. For this, they need to consider many factors depending on their circumstances and state of health. For instance, self-dependent active seniors may choose a retirement home that is appealing, comfortable, and affordable to enhance their current lifestyle, being more concerned with amenities and environment and lesser with care.

But, assisted living seniors might need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, etc. Medical requirements are always available in assisted living, and a staff member is available for assistance if required. This distinction is important! For instance, independent seniors may not want to pay more for the care they do not require, and seniors with real needs must be confident that the retirement home they choose can provide the necessary assistance.

What are the Available Dining Services?

Dining services are a crucial factor in choosing a community. You have had food cooked to your taste and choice all your life. Now that you are going to dine in the retirement home cafeteria, you must know what it would be. Visit the retirement home at mealtimes and sample their meals. It will give you a fair idea. Is there a dedicated chef and waitstaff preparing and serving you customized meals, or is the food mass-produced, cafeteria-style? What if you want a cup of coffee or a quick snack or have a food craving at an odd hour? These considerations are essential when choosing a retirement home.

Is the Retirement Home a Part of the Greater Community?

A retirement home shouldn’t be just an isolated and self-contained unit but should also be a part of the greater community around it. What are the available opportunities for entertainment, exercise, sightseeing, cultural pursuits, religious services, and just plain fun in the neighbourhood and the city? Are these amenities accessible to you as someone living in a retirement home?

What are the On-Site Services and Available Amenities?

Does the retirement home offers amenities such as a hair salon, library, gardens, swimming pool, music room, housekeeping, exercise classes, jogging track, laundry services, clubhouse etc.? While looking for these amenities, you will need to keep your personal choices in mind. The amenities thus provided will decide the quality of your lifestyle in future, so confirm if they are available and if their charges are included in the monthly fees or if you have to pay extra for them.

Are there Exercise and Wellness Options Available?

Active seniors are always looking for plenty of exercise and wellness options to stay healthy, and the best retirement homes should deliver these options. Gyms, Yoga, Tai Chi, and strength training classes customized towards seniors keep the residents fit. Therefore, exercise rooms, gyms, jogging tracks, and swimming pools promote a healthy lifestyle.

Is transportation available?

No independent senior wants to be homebound. So, you need to find out if the retirement home you choose will allow you to keep your vehicle and provide parking for it. If not, and if you do not have a means of transport of your own, it is necessary to find out if they provide transportation and how frequent it is? In case of an emergency, how long will it take for an ambulance to arrive?

Do they Allow Pets?

Retirement homes vary in their pet policies. If you do not own a pet, this might not be an issue, but it can be an issue for seniors with a pet. You must know the pet policy of the retirement home before making this tough decision of choosing between giving away a beloved pet or bringing it to their new home.

Will You Get Help When it is Needed?

Even if you are an active senior who may require help only at certain times, as in case of an accident or a fall, or while climbing stairs or lifting heavy things, consider a retirement home that offers both independent and assisted living options, to have a piece of mind. But most important of all, is there a good hospital nearby? For instance, in case of an emergency, the time taken to reach a good hospital makes the critical difference between life and death.

Do they Nurture the Activities of Your Interest?

Post-retirement years are the golden period of your life. A period when you have all the time and freedom to pursue the activities and hobbies you most enjoyed doing, but earning your living, raising children, and otherworldly commitments never allowed you time for it. So, your retirement home should give you facilities to enjoy your favourite activities and hobbies better. If, your retirement home does not have art classes, gardening, music, movie nights, cultural outings, bonfires and parties, your life would get rather dull. So be particular while making queries.

Is Your Family Welcome to Visit You?

Does your retirement home encourage family visits by welcoming them or allowing them to stay? After all, your family bonds still exist after moving into a retirement home, and you may miss one another. So, make sure that family visits are not restricted in your retirement home because familial bonds and love make you thrive and add years to your life.

Are the Retirement Home Fees within Your Budget?

Do you have a source of recurring income to meet your monthly expenses in a retirement home, be it your lifelong savings in a fixed deposit or a property rented out? For instance, depending on the amenities you seek, the cost of living in a retirement home can be higher when you analyze it against your monthly expenditure at your own home.

Are the Residents and Staff Members Friendly?

They are going to be your neighbours and friends for life. So be sure to observe how the residents and staff members interact. Are they grumpy, or do you see the happiness on their faces? Since their attitude and behaviour can be the factors that affect your peaceful life in your future life. Strong social connections and pleasant interactions are essential for your overall happiness. After all, you want friendly neighbours and helpful and smiling team members to brighten your life and create meaningful relationships that will keep the feelings of loneliness and isolation at bay.

Does the building have a safe design?

Last but not least, the lighting and structure of the building need to be well-designed with the safety of seniors in mind. Keeping the flooring levelled and well-lit will prevent many falls and accidents from happening as far as possible.

These are some factors to consider when choosing a retirement home. In addition, there should be a great emphasis on comfort and homeliness, making you feel as if you truly belong to the space you have chosen for your retirement life. Keep your personal preferences and priorities on top while making this important decision. Choose what is most important to you and keep it on top of your mind as you visit various retirement homes before making your final choice.