Considering a retirement community for your next chapter can be a smart move. These communities offer social opportunities, activities, amenities, and varying levels of care that can bring peace of mind. Choosing the right community, however, takes thought and research. Use the following four steps to guide your search and help you find a place that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Step 1: Decide whether to rent, buy, or choose a hybrid option
Retirement communities come in several forms. Some are age-restricted neighborhoods—often for those 55 or 62 and older—where you purchase a home and pay HOA fees for exterior maintenance and shared amenities. Other communities offer apartment-style living with monthly rent or annual lease options. Then there are continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) or life plan communities that typically require an entry fee (sometimes refundable under certain conditions) plus a monthly fee. Some CCRCs may also offer ownership or rental arrangements in addition to entrance-fee models.
Your choice among these models often depends on the level of care and services you anticipate needing, which makes the next step crucial.
>> Free Download: Retirement Living Decision Chart (PDF)
Step 2: Clarify your long-term objective
Ask yourself whether you’re willing to move again if your health changes, or whether you’d prefer a setting where you’re unlikely to have to relocate. This preference affects the type of community that best suits you.
Most CCRCs or life plan communities provide a full continuum of care—independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing—on the same campus. That continuity can be especially appealing if you’re single or don’t have family nearby, since it lets you remain in the same community even if your care needs change.
Other retirement communities may offer only assisted living or memory care, and some offer no on-site care at all. Knowing the scope of care available will help you match a community to your long-term goals.
>> Related: What is a “Continuum of Care”?
Step 3: Assess whether the community’s culture is a good fit
The community culture—among residents and staff—is a major factor in how comfortable you’ll feel. This is where you’ll spend your retirement years, so it should feel welcoming and like home.
Before committing, get a sense of daily life there. Attend open events, participate in activities available to prospective residents, and speak with current residents. Ask how management communicates with residents and whether residents have input on policies and activities.
Consider resident turnover as well. Many people want friends in their community who will be around for the long term. Generally, life plan communities see longer resident tenure than rental-only communities, largely because of their financial structure and the availability of a full continuum of care.
>> Related: How Do I Know If I’ll Be Happy Living in This CCRC?
Step 4: Investigate the quality of care
If access to on-site care is an important part of your decision, confirm the quality and reliability of that care. Research the community’s healthcare services much as you would any medical facility.
If the community’s healthcare facility is Medicare-certified, review its Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ratings. State long-term care ombudsman programs also offer unbiased information and advocacy for residents.
Talk with current residents about their experiences and ask management about staff turnover, incident reporting, and care philosophies. High staff turnover can be a red flag; consistent, engaged staff generally indicate a healthier care environment.
When possible, visit the community’s healthcare center in person. Observe whether staff appear engaged and respected, whether the facility is clean and comfortable, and whether residents seem well cared for. (Note that visits may be limited by public health concerns at times.)
>> Related: How to Analyze the Quality of a CCRC Healthcare Center
Making an informed retirement community choice
Selecting a retirement community is a meaningful decision that can affect your finances, well-being, and happiness for years. To choose wisely, gather the facts and consider practical factors like price, location, and amenities alongside the four steps outlined above: pick the right payment model, define your long-term goal, evaluate cultural fit, and verify quality of care.
Taking these steps will help you find a community that aligns with your needs and allows you to enjoy your retirement with confidence and comfort.
For information about CCRCs and other senior living options, and more guidance on how to choose the one that is right for you, visit the “Learn” section of myLifeSite.