How many moves do you or your loved one want to make when it’s time to choose a retirement community? The average older adult moves 3-6 times as a result of poor planning and ignorance about care needs and community offerings. There are hundreds of excuses not to move just as there are all the wrong reasons for choosing a retirement community. Many consumers ask the easy and obvious questions because they lack experience in this area and really don’t know the right questions to ask. Common questions that tell you nothing about the choice you’re about to make, except for the obvious, are the cost and the size of the apartment. Making a choice solely on these two indicators is sure to result in trouble and will guarantee that you’ll soon be making plans for your next move.
Appearance isn’t always a good indicator. Some of the more beautiful communities are sorely lacking when it comes to providing quality resident care. On the other hand, smell is a good indicator. Do you smell urine and other unpleasant smells? Are the common bathrooms clean or filthy? Are the residents well groomed and looking happy?
Then there’s the consideration of finances, health and personal preferences. If the look of the community and what’s offered isn’t confusing enough (after you’ve seen one can you really compare the first to the fifth?) not giving proper consideration to these three areas guarantee more bad decisions and subsequent moves than many others.
