Ask These Questions To Help Choose the Right Retirement Community

Whether you’re looking for a retirement community for yourself or an assisted living facility for a senior parent, you certainly don’t want to settle for a place that doesn’t accommodate your desires and needs. Obviously, cost plays a big part in your choice, but once the financial end of it is satisfied, the actual living situation is a top priority.

Most places have a brochure you can look at to get started, and they are a good place to start, but remember, pictures don’t tell the whole story, so you need to go for a visit, to ask questions face to face and see the community with your eyes.

But what questions should you ask? This list should help you make a decision that will help you find a home you can be happy in.

Important questions to ask…

Let’s begin with how it looks and feels, these are questions to ask yourself:

1. How does it appear when your arrive? Are the grounds well kept? Is the inside clean and attractive? Are there any undesirable odors?
2. How were you greeted? Was the staff welcoming and friendly?
3. Were you able to meet any of the residents, and did they seem happy and comfortable?
4. Does it look like you could be happy there?

Questions to ask about the community’s rules, regulations and retirement or assisted living situations:

1. Because the future is always an unknown, it’s wise to ask about what the options are in the event that a higher level of care becomes necessary? Does this community accommodate this circumstance, and if so, what is the additional cost?
2. Along the same line, is there a health and mobility requirement in order to become a resident?
3. Is there a healthcare center on site, and if so, ask to see it during your visit? What services are provided on a daily basis?
4. Ask about the meal plans, see the dining facilities, and ask if you can join the other residents for a meal. How did it taste?
5. Can you bring any or all of your own furniture?
6. Can you bring your pet?
7. Is there a policy on visitors?
8. Ask to see the activity calendar to see if the things they offer are interesting to you. Also ask if they have off site activities or excursions.
9. Ask to see if there is transportation available for shopping.
10. Is there staff or outside help that could give you assistance and how much it would cost for such things as…
    1. housekeeping
    2. grooming
    3. laundry
11. Ask about the utilities…phone and television and how they are handled.
12. Are there religious services on site?
13. Is there any reason you would be asked to leave the community?
14. Experience the community first hand, and ask if there is a guest suite that you could spend a night or two in…while you’re there, be sure to visit with as many of the residents as possible to get a feel for how life would be if you chose this community.

If it’s time for a senior you know and love to enjoy the benefits of a senior community, please give us a call whether you need resources to get started or need move management assistance.

We are Certified Senior Move Managers recognized by our National Association of Senior Move Managers, NASSM! We are committed to serving our seniors with a high standard of ethics, best business practices and continuing education to help make whatever transition they are going through a Smooth Transition.

Contact us to learn how we can help you and/or your family cope with a senior downsizing anywhere in the Phoenix East Valley area. We would love to serve you.