When it comes to that inevitable time of getting older, everyone must eventually face the possibility of retirement homes. This can be a scary time, which is understandable as you face a huge lifestyle change. The below article is here to help you find out what things are important when looking at where to move.
Activities and entertainment
Depending on where you live, you will find that you might have a range of options. This can be overwhelming, so it is good to do lots of research and talk to lots of people. You can find out more about independent living Sacramento online.
The most exciting thing about moving into a retirement home is the things that you can do once you get there. Getting old can feel very lonely, so moving into a retirement home can be a great change; it can be a hugely sociable choice or whatever you make of it. Some common and great activities that lots of retirement homes provide, include:
- Arts and crafts
- Walking
- Water aerobics
- Cards
- Relaxation
- Exercise
- Puzzles and games
- Storytimes
- Music classes
Be sure to think about what your hobbies and interests are, as this can be a great time to really get into them as a way of enjoying retirement. If you enjoy meeting new people or looking for someone special, then an independent living facility could be the choice for you.
Independent living
Independent living refers to a community of senior citizens who all live separately, most commonly in bungalows in the same area. This community would provide care for any of the residents who need it and be responsible for putting on activities and entertainment to give you a fully satisfying experience.
The classes and activities provided are all optional, so there’s no pressure. Although it is a great time to push yourself a bit out of your comfort zone and try something new. This type of living facility is for those who still want a high level of independence whilst benefiting from the benefits of the socials a retirement home can offer.
Assisted living
Assisted living is for those senior citizens that find they need a bit of extra help; it is for those who are finding every-day life is getting that bit harder and know you would benefit from the extra help. Assisted living will provide teams of kind staff who will be able to help you with anything you need. This means they will not only be able to cater to your medical needs with medications and exercises but also with any tasks that you are finding too hard to do on your own. These tasks can include.
- Eating/drinking
- Getting dressed
- Going to the bathroom
- Bathing and washing
Make sure that whatever facility it is you decide to go to has all the facilities to be able to cater to your needs; make sure you know exactly what you are paying for as these places can get expensive, and you don’t want to deal with random costs popping up.
Asking for advice
One of the main reasons people choose to go into retirement homes is for their care. Your doctor will be able to give you a good indication of whether they feel that a move into care would be beneficial to you. If you are someone who is at a time in your life when you need that bit of extra help, retirement homes can provide you with that care.
Speak to your doctor and find out whether they think this could be a good change for you. Are you finding that you have medical issues that require some extra help? Or are you finding that you are generally just finding day-to-day tasks more challenging? Both of these things can be a good reason to make the move into an assisted living facility.
Touring a retirement home
When you take the next step and go on in-person tours, it’s great to do some research prior to your arrival; this is just to check out what you already know and what you need to find out. Here are some questions we think are great to ask to help you find out about more of the things you need to know:
What activities are provided?
- What activities or entertainment is provided regularly? Be sure to check if there are things going on that you enjoy doing and will like to participate in.
- What are their reviews?
- Are residents happy here?
- What sort of security is in place? You want to make sure the facility has all safety requirements in place.
- What sort of routine do you have in place?
- How flexible are you with your resident’s routine? Moving into a retirement facility can be such a big adjustment, and it can be reassuring to know that you can still stick to your usual schedule.
- Are there specific times for guests to come? Make sure your friends and family know when they can come and see you at what times.
- How many staff are there at any time?
You want to make sure you know the retirement home you are looking at has all the staff they need to help with all of their residents.
Speak to residents
As well as asking these questions to the very important people who help out and help run the places, you should definitely try and take the opportunity to speak to the people who already live there. Residents living there when you visit, of course, are the people who know the most about the place.
Ask them questions like:
- Do they enjoy living there?
- Do they think there is good value/quality of life?
- Is there good value for money?
- What are the favorite things about the home?
- Are there any things that you would like to change?
Finding out what people really think about the place will give you a first-hand account that is so important to get.
Nickida
Nickida is a first-generation Trinidadian American wife and mother of four. She enjoys sharing recipes from her childhood growing up in Trinidad with her readers. Nickida has a son with Autism and shares posts around traveling with a child with special needs to help other families like her own. She loves television, movies and is a true 80's baby.
Follow Me:
