Retirement Living

Tread carefully when choosing a senior retirement community … there are some tricky steps you need to negotiate before making your final choice. Moving is very disruptive and, in many cases, can be quite distressing … so you don’t want to make a mistake that can be avoided.

Don’t rush into making a final decision before carefully considering each factor:

1. Location.
– Where do you want to live?
- Consider the distance to shops, public transport, family and friends.

2. What facilities are on offer.
- What style and size home do you want?
– Security and maintenance services?
- What level of independence do you desire?
- What sort of privacy would you have?
- Are there recreational and social activities?
– When would you take occupation?
- Is there a provision for ongoing, long term facilities, like assisted living or how close the medical services?
- Levels of independence some community living centres offer greater levels of independent living while others have a greater focus on community living. Which approach would best meet your needs?

3. Level of input:
- Would you like to have a say in how the estate is run?
– Is there a provision for the community to get involved in the running of the estate?
- Is there a residents committee or Trustees committee that you can join which works with management to make certain the needs of the residents are met and sustained at a high standard?

4. Financial
- Are there various financial options available?

5. The Final decision
The developers
– Is the development still in the growth phases and will the developers be able to deliver on their proposals?
- Consider the developers financial resources and their experience.
- Will the developers be involved in the management of the completed estate?
- Where will any money you pay be kept until the completion of the estate?
– What will be your alternatives should all the anticipated plans including community facilities not be completed?

Medical care
– What access is there to ongoing care, should it be required at a later date?

Management of the estate
- Who will run the estate?
– What is their experience or qualifications in this field?
– Do they have experience in meeting the needs of older person?

Fees
- What are the costs you will have to pay and what does it include?

Financial provision and obligations
– What financial provisions have been made for the long-term maintenance and upkeep?
– If you decide to leave the village what are your financial responsibilities?
- Will it be necessary to restore your unit? If so, exactly what restoration would you need to carry out?
– When you leave how much money will you receive? When will you receive this money? Often money will not be paid until your unit has been sold to new resident.
- What guarantees do you have that your unit will be sold as quickly as possible?
- Do you have the option of marketing your unit yourself to speed up the process?
- Membership and assurances Is the village a member of any organisation or association’s, if so, what assurance does this guarantee you?
- Does the association provide a quick and economical way of resolving disagreements between you and the estate.

Legal and binding contract
- Check the Deed of Sale carefully. Make certain that you understand both your responsibilities with regard to maintenance, refurbishment, general upkeep of the property, and medical and ongoing care services.
- Find out what services the management are legally required to supply on an ongoing basis.

So, as you can see, there are many questions and concerns that you will have to wrestle with before making the final decision about your choice of retirement living community. However once you move the rewards can be considerable. Gathering with like-minded people and having independence to enjoy life without the hassle and hindrance of maintaining a home can truly enhance your lifestyle. This freedom will give you the time to follow the interests you’ve always wanted to pursue. Enjoying a well-deserved retirement.