Are you considering a retirement community for yourself or your loved one?
With so many options for senior living available, it can be hard to decide if a retirement community is the best fit for you or your loved one. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the value of retirement communities:
Lifestyle Needs: Retirement communities often offer a range of amenities and services designed to appeal to a diverse population. They also supply a built-in social network of friendly neighbors to help combat loneliness and isolation by providing companionship. Communities such as Maple Knoll Village offer extensive amenities such as a fitness center, indoor pool, technology learning lab, certified arboretum with walking trails, travel opportunities, planned social events, and more.
If you value an active and socially engaged lifestyle, retirement communities can certainly provide you with a fulfilling and enriching environment.
Maintenance-Free Living: The older we get, the harder it becomes to safely maintain the upkeep of large homes and spacious yards. Retirement communities will often provide maintenance-free living services to alleviate the burden of house upkeep. These services may include housekeeping, landscaping, and maintenance. Maple Knoll Village also offers services such as security, snow removal, transportation, an onsite full-service salon, and more. The less time spent on the tedious tasks of upkeep, the more time available to spend living life to the fullest.
Long-Term Planning: Consider your long-term needs. Will a retirement community be better able to meet your needs as you age? Some retirement communities have a continuum of care that allows residents to transition to higher levels of care such as assisted living or skilled nursing when necessary. These communities are categorized as continuing care retirement communities (CCRC).
As a CCRC, Maple Knoll Village provides peace of mind for residents knowing they have found a place to call home for the rest of their lives, regardless of how their healthcare needs may change. If you or a loved one have specific health needs or anticipate needing more assistance with daily activities as you age, a retirement community with on-site healthcare services may be the best fit for you.
Financial Considerations: The cost of living in a retirement community varies widely depending on the location of the community, services offered, and your individual needs.
Some seniors may choose to age in place in their home. But as they grow older, they may need to hire outside help for housekeeping, lawn maintenance, and personal care needs. It is essential to consider all factors when evaluating if a retirement community is worth the cost. Evaluate the initial entry fee, monthly fees, and services or amenities offered at the community. Compare these costs with the expenses associated with maintaining your current home and projected expenses as you age.
Having a financial plan in mind for future needs will help you make the best evaluation possible.
Research and Visit: The best ways to learn about a retirement community are to visit it in person, view their website or online resources, and speak to their current residents. Most retirement communities will have designated staff available to show you around and help you determine if their community is the best fit.
Many communities also will have social media sites that are great at giving you an inside look at what life is like at that specific community. Maple Knoll Village has a very active presence on Facebook and Instagram where you can see photos and videos of real resident homes, events, trips, and more!
Deciding whether a retirement community is worth it really is a personal decision based on your unique needs and wants. If you value amenities, peace of mind, and a sense of community, retirement communities like Maple Knoll Village are certainly a great option for you to live out your retirement years to the fullest.
