Making an appointment to tour a senior living community is an important step as you decide where you want to live. It’s a way for you or your loved one to get to know the people in the community, learn more about the amenities, and see the residences and shared spaces.
It’s also a time for the community to learn more about you. During your visit, you’ll be asked about your dreams, goals and other factors that are important to you.
The process is designed to help you decide whether a community is a good fit. Ultimately, Senior Star Associates want you to find the place that is right for you, whether that’s within a Senior Star community or somewhere else.
To help you make the most of your senior community visit, it’s a good idea to gather some information and write down questions before you go. There’s a lot to take in – a little prep work will ensure you don’t forget anything you want to discuss.
Here are some things you should consider bringing with you:
A List of Your Priorities
What you value in a home and community is unique to you. Thinking through what is most important to you can have a tremendous impact on your quality of life both now and in the future.
Some things to consider:
- Preferred size of residence
- Services important to you
- Access to different levels of healthcare (what you want or need now vs. what you might need in the future)
- Housekeeping
- Dining options
- Activities
- Transportation
- What activities you want to continue or what new activities you’d like to try
- Proximity to family and friends
- Fitness opportunities (swimming, water aerobics, strength training, yoga, Tai Chi, etc.)
- Social (Book club, card games, brain games, volunteer opportunities, etc.)
- Arts (Painting, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, knitting, etc)
- Entertainment (Theater, movies, music, dance, opera, etc.)
- Spirituality (Nearby churches, temples, mosques or other faith-based organizations)
Read more about how to identify your priorities in our blog: How to Rightsize Your Life With Senior Living
Questions About the Community
Bringing a list of questions can serve as a checklist for your visit. No question is too small – we want to address all of your questions and even your concerns or hesitations, if you have any.
Moving is a big decision and can bring up a lot of emotions. You or your loved one may feel excited and energized by the idea of a fresh start, but it’s also natural to feel some anxiety and stress. We want you to know all the information and resources you need to make a great decision.
Here are a few categories that may help you think of some areas you’d like to discuss further:
- Move-in resources: help with planning, selling your home, moving in, etc.
- Community culture
- Dining: sampling the food and understanding the dining plan
- Family: opportunities for children and grandchildren to visit
- Cost of living: monthly service fee, annual rate increase percentage
- Pets: policies, outdoor areas, interaction with other pets
- Transportation
- Amenities: Salon services, housekeeping, fitness facilities, laundry service
Read more: Important Questions to Ask On Your Senior Living Tour.
Planning Ahead: When to Start Looking into a Senior Living Community
A Snapshot of Your Finances
As you move closer to a decision, you’ll want to decide how you will pay for senior living and what you can afford. If you have a financial advisor, it can be helpful to meet with them before or after you tour a prospective community.
Bringing some of your financial information can help you and your Senior Living Specialist determine what funding options are available to you.
Financial information:
- Home value and home equity
- Monthly income from all sources (include the amount from each source)
- Outstanding obligations, loans, and mortgages
- Investments (IRAs, 401K, real estate, etc.)
- Long-term care insurance
Spending some time preparing for your visit will go a long way toward helping you make the right decision for your future.
Need more resources? Download our guide: Financial Planning for Retirement Living or read our blog Seven Options to Pay for Senior Living.
Finding the Right Fit
Finding the right retirement community is not a simple decision, but it’s one that’s worth the effort. Change can be daunting, but moving into a vibrant community can open the door to fun, freedom, and relaxation.
How do you know you’ve found the right place? Check out our ebook: 5 Signs of a Stellar Assisted Living Community.
We look forward to meeting with you! Contact us to learn more or to schedule a visit.
Source: Where You Live Matters