Choosing a place to retire is not something you can do on a whim. Different facilities offer different services, and if you need special care, look for a facility that can provide the type of care that you need. You also have to make sure that you’ll be able to fit in the community and that the ambiance is right. Your level of activity, interests, and personal tastes will need to be factored into the equation. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider when looking at retirement facilities.
The State of the Premises
The very first thing you should look at when visiting a retirement facility is the state of the premises. Look at the facade and landscaping and check if they’re properly maintained. Go into the lobby and check how old/new the furniture is and the level of cleanliness. Check if you notice any kind of weird smells, stains, or signs of neglect. Also, ask if you can see some of the rooms and the kitchen to see if everything is clean there too.
The Services Offered
You also have to look at the services being offered. Some senior living facilities will pretty much leave residents to their own devices while some will provide everything from memory care to 24/7 nurse assistance.
If this is for someone suffering from a serious debilitating illness, you will have to look at nursing homes instead of retirement homes. Nursing homes will provide them with the level of care and assistance that they need.
Assisted living facilities give residents more freedom while offering assistance with everyday tasks. Some of these tasks include cleaning, laundry, cooking, and dispensing medication. These are the best options for people who want to live in a controlled environment but still enjoy freedom.
The Location
Some retirement homes are far away in nature while others are in urban centers. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for you. If this is for you and you’re still autonomous, then going somewhere more remote could be a nice change of scenery. But if this is for a relative, we suggest you keep them closer to home.
If you’re living somewhere like Dallas, for instance, it would usually be better to send your relative to a senior living Dallas facility.
The Food
The quality of the food at a retirement home cannot be overlooked. We imagine you want to live there for as long as you can, and bad food will ruin the experience.
So, ask to look at the menu and how much liberty you’ll have with the food service. Some places will be more accommodating than others and have a larger variety of dishes, for instance. You should also ask if you could come to one of the services so you can test the food’s quality and see what the dining experience is like.
These are all things that should be on the top of your list when looking at retirement homes. Take the time to look at multiple ones and visit different facilities to get an idea of which one would be the best fit for your or your senior relative.