Start Thinking Now
Whether you are nearing retirement, or already enjoying your so-called golden years, it is not too early to become familiar with the options that will be available to you as you age further. Even if you do not anticipate needing what a senior living community has to offer, no one knows for sure what the future holds. By understanding what your options are, you will be better equipped to make an informed decision when – or if ever – the time is right.
When Should You Start Looking?
While there is no set-in-stone timeline, it may be advisable to wait until you’ve adjusted to being retired before actively researching senior living communities. The interval between your actual retirement and the start of your search will give you the opportunity to reset your new life’s priorities away from work. (Note that it is never too early to research the costs of living in a retirement community: you may wish, for instance, to understand the cost structure before deciding whether to buy a long-term-care insurance policy, or before setting financial goals in your forties or fifties.)
While there is no pressing rush, you obviously want to make your own decisions about senior living, rather than have your children or your caregivers decide for you. Therefore, it is critical that you don’t wait too long. You definitely want to start looking before a health emergency potentially limits the options that are available to you.
If you pay attention over time, other signs will help you determine when to start considering senior living communities — signs that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you are increasingly tired of maintaining your home, or if your living expenses have increased because you now have to hire people to do the work you used to do yourself, it is time to think hard. All this work will not get any lighter – or more affordable – next year or the year after that.
Additional signs that may indicate it is time for you to start considering a move to a senior living community include the following:
- You are dreading or avoiding climbing the stairs in your home.
- You no longer use several of the rooms in your home.
- Your children and grandchildren live out of state.
- Your close friends and neighbors have deserted your community.
- You no longer feel as safe or “at home” in your neighborhood.
- You have received a diagnosis that has made you question your ability to remain in your current residence.
- You are your spouse’s primary caregiver, and you are concerned about who will tend to him or to her if something should happen to you.
- It has become too expensive for you to remain in your current residence.
- You tend to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with planning ahead.
Even if you haven’t been bothered by the signs we mentioned above, it may still be worth thinking about visiting a senior living community. Ask yourself the following tough questions:
- How are we doing today, compared to three or five years ago in terms of health, finances and lifestyle?
- How are we expecting to progress in the next three to five years?
If you’re worried that you will not be able to manage the changes you anticipate with the resources you have on hand, it is clearly time for you to begin thinking.
Before You Visit
While many options are available to seniors who are ready to simplify their lives, we recommend that you narrow your search to non-profit, faith-based continuing care communities. As it happens, our area is “ground zero” for such communities, with a vast choice of outstanding communities spread between Chambersburg and Lancaster. Of course, CCRCs are not usually the most affordable option (that would be subsidized or low-income senior housing). Nevertheless, Cross Keys Village offers reasonably priced cottages with the same amenities and the same quality in the detail as what you would find in our larger residences.
Once you have identified at least two villages you would like to visit, you will need to collect a bit of information of your own: the villages’ Retirement Counselor or Marketing Director will ask about your general health, and will need an estimate of your assets and your income. Only with this information can he or she provide meaningful guidance. And you can start writing a solid list of questions: Retirement Counselors will love it when you flip out that notebook of yours. This will greatly help them determine whether you and their village are a perfect match!
Questions you may want to ask include the following:
- Is a mandatory meal plan included in the monthly service fee?
- Do you offer flexibility in payment terms if our house does not sell by the time we are scheduled to move in?
- Are there shopping, dining and entertainment venues nearby?
- Does the community offer scheduled transportation?
- How often does the community host group activities and events? What kind of activities are offered?
- Is there a well-equipped wellness center in the community?
- Does each residence have safety features such as grab bars near the shower?
- What features do you offer in Residential Living towards aging-in-place in one’s cottage or apartment?
- How much say do residents have in the running of the community?
- How many residents live in the community? What is the religious / political / cultural makeup of the population?
- What are the future development plans for the land surrounding the community?
- What medical facilities are within easy reach?
- How many hours and days a week are nurses available to cottage and apartment residents?
- Are overnight guests permitted? Do you have guest accommodations?
- Are pets allowed? If so, are there any weight or breed restrictions?
When You Visit
Be sure to schedule your visit on a day when you are able to devote at least two to three hours to it. This is an important first step, not to be rushed. Try to limit your research to one senior living community per day if possible — it is easier to objectively compare Village X and Village Y when you spread out your visits a little bit.
Get a chance – if you can – to interact with some residents directly. Observe how the team treats residents (maybe too formally for your taste… or too casually) and try to get a feel for the community’s overall culture. While the physical condition of the community is important, the “big picture” is important too, and you will not have access to it in the sales office. You should consider whether the community as a whole is a good fit for you instead of basing your decision too quickly on aesthetics or amenities alone.
Take the opportunity to ask critical questions about the community’s financial stability, such as:
- How strong is the community’s census?
- How long have you been in business?
- What happens if I run out of money and my resources are exhausted?
- What is your bond’s rating?
As you take a tour through the community, take note of how well maintained the grounds are and how clean the buildings are. Ask about the security measures that are in place for the protection of the community’s residents. If possible, ask residents and family members directly whether they’d recommend the community to others as you strike up conversations.
By the end of your visit, you should be thoroughly versed in the options that are available to you based on your specific needs. In particular, you should understand the whole process from this first visit until a possible move: how long will it take? What deposits will be required and when? When will your favorite model be available?
Trust Your Instinct
When you are choosing a senior living community, you should do it at your own pace. According to your individual style you may rush along… or you may take one baby step at a time. Either way you should be comfortable with each phase of the process. Where you will spend your retirement years is a big decision, and there are many factors to consider before you make your ultimate choice. It is natural for you to have some second thoughts along the way. Take the time to work through the emotions — some almost grief-like — that can occur, especially if you’re moving from a home that is full of stuff… and of great memories.
Establishing a trusting relationship with a senior living community’s Retirement Counselor will help you determine whether the community is the right one for you. Ask the person whether he or she works on a commission or a bonus basis. Regardless of how your counselor is compensated, you should never feel pressured. Instead, the decision-making process should give you the opportunity to become progressively familiar with the community and the options it offers to help you enjoy a worry-free retirement, based on your current and future needs.
We strive to ensure everyone who lives at Cross Key Village enjoys a purposeful life filled with engaging social activities, volunteer opportunities, wellness programs and much more. We have more Residential Living options than any other community in the area, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to larger Country Homes. Our sales counselors do not work on a commission or bonus basis. They do not receive additional compensation every time they bring a new resident to our active, bustling senior living community. Their motivation is not financial. Instead, our dedicated team’s goal is to educate you about your options and help you make the right decision about where to spend your retirement years. Put simply, our mission at the Welcome Center is to help you find the perfect fit at the perfect time.
Cross Keys Village is a non-profit senior living community that will always put the happiness, safety and well-being of residents first and foremost. We are honored to be one of the 10 largest and most financially stable single-site nonprofit continuing care retirement communities in the United States. When you feel ready to learn more about what we have to offer and how our Villagers are always our number-one priority, contact us. We can’t wait to help you make the decision that’s exactly right for you.