Retirement communities don’t come cheap, but with so many uncertainties about the future, who wouldn’t want to put off this major decision? It can be tempting to delay your search for a retirement community until the dust settles and you know what’s coming. However, there are some reasons you shouldn’t postpone your search in uncertain times.
Your Timeline Hasn’t Changed
You’re close to retirement and don’t want to wait any longer. Now is not the right time to start looking for your new home because the economy is uncertain, and many unknowns exist. But what if we told you that your timeline hadn’t changed? Your retirement is still coming, whether tomorrow or 20 years from now, and we’d be willing to bet that no one knows exactly when their last day on Earth will be either!
If you’re worried about spending money at this stage in life (and who isn’t?), consider all the benefits of choosing a senior-friendly independent living community over other options. You still need to plan so that options that fit your needs and budget are available when it comes time for your move into assisted living or memory care.
You Can Prepare for a Virtual Tour
There are many reasons to take a virtual tour of your future community. You can get an idea of the layout, amenities, and even the neighborhood before you visit. This will give you a better idea if it is the right fit for you and your family.
The best way to prepare for a virtual tour is by reading up on the amenities and services offered by your retirement community. This will help you get excited about what awaits you in this new chapter of life and give some direction when it comes time for questions during the actual visit.
Your Options May Be Limited if You Wait
The options will be limited if you wait to search for your retirement community. You may have to settle for something less than ideal due to a lack of supply or demand.
Some communities have dining options while others don’t. Some provide transportation services, while others do not offer those amenities at all.
Some of these factors can be more important than others depending on your needs as an individual or family member living in the community with someone who requires daily assistance with activities such as eating and bathing.
For example, if your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and cannot live alone without help from team members or other residents, then having access to 24/7 care may be critical for their well-being and could even save money by reducing emergency room visits due to falls-related injury caused by poor balance caused by mental impairment!
You Can Still Get a Sense of a Community’s Culture and Activities
While waiting for the economy to rebound, staying up-to-date on what’s happening in each community is a good idea. You can do this by visiting their websites and reading their newsletters, usually published monthly or quarterly. If you’re unsure where to find these documents online, contact the marketing department of each community and ask them how they get their information out to residents.
Additionally, suppose any special events are coming up in your area that may be worth attending. Check with your local newspapers or event calendars before making plans so you don’t miss out on anything fun!
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you should never put off your retirement community search. The world may be uncertain, but there are still plenty of great communities out there that can give you everything you need and more. However, they won’t be around forever!
