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Just because a senior living community is right down the road, doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Here are four easy steps to follow when you and your loved ones are ready to explore retirement living.
STEP 1:
Start Planning Today
It’s never too early to start thinking about your retirement years. When you wait until an unexpected illness or injury occurs, you tend to make a rushed decision. Don’t wait. You have nothing to lose by planning ahead.
- Create a paper file–or even set up a file on your computer–and keep all the information you gather together.
- Make a list of your health concerns, along with the services that are important to you. Is an on-site chapel a priority for you? Or maybe you want the comfort of a beauty shop or the stimulation of a library. Keep a good list so you can compare facilities.
- Keep a running list of important questions you have about your retirement needs. Ask. Ask. Ask.
STEP 2:
Know What’s Available
The most crucial part of planning is investigating what’s offered in your area. Visit with an agency representative, like Buckner Retirement Services, to learn where you will feel most at home. Often, there is a range of services that can perfectly meet your particular needs or lifestyle. Make sure you explore all your options. Unable to travel? Use the web to find online videos, photos and floor plans, or ask the community to mail you a comprehensive folder with all the necessary information.
STEP 3:
Ask for Recommendation
The best and most effective way to learn about retirement services is to ask others. Most people are happy to share! Speak with representatives from a variety of agencies and ask for recommendations from friends, church members, other seniors, hospital social service departments and senior centers.
STEP 4:
Visit the Community
Reading a brochure or viewing statistics will only tell you part of the story. Visiting a community can give you a feel for the community’s “personality” and provide you with the best information to help you determine if a particular place fits your needs. Ask questions: find out the community’s philosophy, what they are trying to provide and accomplish, and whom you would be dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Most important, ask yourself: am I home?
*Information courtesy of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA)
From independent living to assisted living, and skilled nursing or memory care, we assist you through the decision process to the most appropriate level of independence – in the community that most closely matches your personality and needs.
Additional information courtesy of Buckner Retirement Services:
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