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Home > Choosing a Retirement Community
Choosing a Retirement Community
There are a variety of choices for those of you who choose to sell your home and move into a retirement community. Independent living, assisted living, and continuing care are just a few of the choices you’ll have. The facility may or may not include a certain number of services in your contract; some may be available but for an extra fee. Investigate thoroughly!
- Meals: How many are included? Are they in a cafeteria, buffet, or dining room with waiters? Is there assigned or open seating? Are there prescribed diets? Is there an escort service to the dining room? How much does it cost? Is tray service available if you don’t want to eat in the dining room?
- Housekeeping: Is there a housekeeping service? How often will they come? Is there an extra fee? Do they change the linens? If so, how often and at what cost?
- Laundry: Is there a personal laundry service? If so, how often and how much does it cost? If not, where are the laundry services located?
- Transportation: Does the facility have regularly scheduled service to doctor’s offices, grocery stores, shopping, cultural events, etc.? Is there an extra fee? If so, how much? How wide a radius does the service cover? What are the hours of operation?
- Guests: Whate type of accommodations are available for overnight guests? Is there a limit as to how long they can stay? Is there adequate parking for residents and guests?
- Activities: What types of programs are available and how often? Are they ones you would be interested in? Can residents suggest new activities? Are these ideas welcomed? What type of exercise programs are available? Do the main living areas seem busy or quiet?
- Utilities: Is cable TV available? Which channels are carried by the provider? Do you pay for utilities or are they included? What is the charge for telephone service?
- Fees: If you are away from the facility for an extended period (hospital, traveling, etc.), what fees continue to apply? When, how often, and why can fees be changed? What happens if your funds run out? Is there financial assistance? Is renter’s insurance required? Will you get a monthly accounting of fees charged? Are charges pro-rated if you are discharged? What happens if there is a spill or accident that destroys property? Who is responsible for repairs, payment, or replacement? What is the baseline fee and what is included in that fee? What are the additional charges for other services?
- Grievances: How are problems with management handled and resolved? Is the staff willing to address issues immediately or do they take a while to respond? Is there a committee which includes residents as well as staff? What recourse do you have if you are not happy with the decision?
- Conditions: Are there any behaviors, conditions, or other circumstances that may result in termination of services. Is there an explanation of discharge policies
- Assistance: If an assisted living facility, what assistance with activities of daily living is included? Assistance with bathing? Dressing? Supervise medications? What are the staff/resident ratios? Is there an emergency call system
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