When is it Time to Move Into a Retirement Community?
During retirement, many older adults re-evaluate their living arrangements for their next years. Some choose to move closer to family, some look at downsizing while others prefer to continue living in their current home for as long as they can. Some wonder, “When is it time to move to a retirement community?” Moving into one of these communities is exciting for many older adults and can bring many positive changes and challenges. Here are some things to keep in mind as you make this decision.
At What Age Should I Move Into a Retirement Community?
While there are many perks to moving into a retirement community, there is no best time that works for everyone. There are many things you’ll want to consider before you decide that it’s time to make this move. Only you can make the best decision based on your particular situation and your needs. Remember that this decision is one you can make at any point to ensure a positive future for you or your loved ones.
Here are the factors to consider when deciding if you’re ready to move to a retirement community:
- Money. Older adults want their finances to last and to know they will always have the care they need.
- Health. People want to know that they will be cared for as they age, even as their health needs change.
- Space needs. Some people love their neighborhoods and their homes, while others want a smaller space that’s easier to care for.
- Downsizing. Going through a lifetime’s worth of possessions can be hard. Some people want to do this ASAP after retirement, while others want to wait.
- Age. Some communities have minimum age requirements, but you can start thinking about this as early as your 60s.
Thinking about all of this before you have to may sound counterintuitive. After all, most people don’t think about living in a retirement community until they can’t care for themselves anymore. Allowing yourself time to understand retirement community options before you need one can provide peace of mind and additional opportunities to grow in a secure and welcoming environment.
Understanding the Different Types of Retirement Communities
There are a wide variety of retirement communities out there that you can choose from. Many of them offer different types of living and care. Clermont Park is unique because it offers several of these options in one place. This means that you can change the type of care you need without having to move to a different place, which offers older adults stability and security.
In an independent living community, you live on your own, with all of the amenities that the community offers. You’ll have your own space in our neighborhood, and you can join with others when it comes to opportunities for connection, learning, and personal growth.
If you need a little more help, consider an assisted living community. You’ll still have space to call your own, and you’ll also have care partner support where you need. They can help with things like bathing, medications, meals, and more. If you wait longer to move to a retirement community, you might move straight into assisted living, rather than starting out in independent living.
Skilled nursing care is one step further. If you need medical care available around the clock, we can provide that for you, too. You’ll still get to be part of everything we offer for connecting with others and enriching your mind, no matter how much care you need.
Life Plan vs. Rental Options
On top of offering different kinds of retirement communities all in one place, Clermont Park gives you choices when it comes to how you want to move in.
If you choose to move in on a Life Plan, you’ll make sure you always have care, at whatever level you need. As your health needs change, the Life Plan ensures that the medical options you need are at your fingertips. Moving from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing will be smooth and easy.
If you choose a Rental Plan, you’ll simply choose the level of care you want and invest in that. You’ll also have access to all the resources we have available. The other types of care will be there for you if your needs change, but you’ll be able to stay more flexible while still benefiting from being in a friendly setting where maintenance is never your responsibility.
What are the Benefits of a Retirement Community?
Different retirement communities offer different things. At Clermont Park, we work hard to make sure the community is a great place to move into, whether you do so right after retirement or you wait a while. Some of the perks of moving include:
Independence Where You Want It, Care Where You Don’t
Living independently allows you to explore your surroundings and tap into your full potential with various activities without having to do tasks that are hard or that you dislike. Communities like Clermont Park promote active and social lifestyles for all residents to fill their days with fun activities and lasting memories. Daily scheduled events offer residents opportunities to explore a new hobby, chat with their neighbors or sit down to watch their favorite movies.
No Home Maintenance
A great perk for many older adults as they move into independent living communities is being able to leave home maintenance in the past. Your new living space will typically be a suite with a private bathroom. Staff members can offer cleaning services for these rooms, so you do not have to invest your time in maintenance.
You will also not have to worry about cleaning up after every meal. Independent living dining options allow residents to feast on home-cooked meals as they sit with friends and visitors in an open space then go about their day without needing to cook or clean dishes. Care partners are happy to assist in these home maintenance tasks to ensure your time is spent with your loved ones and participating in activities you enjoy.
You can now spend the time you put aside for household chores staying active in the community, finding a new hobby and getting to know your neighbors. You also won’t have to worry about safety issues connected with many home care tasks.
Community Participation Everyone’s Thriving In
Retirement communities like Clermont Park aren’t just places to live and receive medical care. They can become a home where you feel rested, at ease, and well-loved.
At Clermont Park, we do this through our citizenship model, because we believe that everyone lives better when we all contribute. Under this model, we invite all people in the community to bring the passions, gifts, knowledge, and more that they have gathered throughout their lives to the group. When everyone helps solve problems and shares responsibility for the well being of the community, each individual is more likely to thrive.
Opportunities For Whole-Person Wellness
Living well for older adults means investing in the same sorts of things that living well means for any human being. At Clermont Park, we offer opportunities in all of the five pillars of wellness, including:
- Spiritual wellness
- Physical wellness
- Social wellness
- Intellectual wellness
- Purposeful living
When people have daily opportunities to meet their needs in each of these areas, they are more likely to live happy, fulfilled, meaningful lives. Since you can pick and choose what to attend, you always have the chance to address any area that needs extra attention. You can also join with others who value what you value, so you can grow and learn together.
All of these opportunities take place in the community or have transportation provided. This allows you to focus on the experience and take from it what you need, rather than worrying about details that can make it hard to accomplish.
Learn More About Clermont Park’s Unique Retirement Options Today
If it’s time for you or your loved one to move to a retirement community, discover what Clermont Park can offer. Independent living at Clermont Park along with the assisted living and skilled nursing options, is a welcoming environment for older adults as they live an enriching life among friends and families.
If you want to find out more, someone is always here to talk, answer your questions, and get you the information you need. Contact us today if you have any questions about our services or community.
