Senior living communities can be great places for seniors looking to settle down and enjoy their golden years. Retirement can be a luxury if you have planned for it and have the financial situation to settle in a retirement living community where your meals, hobbies, and day-to-day activities are more or less covered.

Many people who opt for a retirement residence want to downsize to spend their days enjoying life instead of worrying about basic house upkeep in Ontario.

Over the last few years, retirement homes and communities have become very popular. Now, there are many luxury retirement homes that make it a pleasure to brag about living in a senior community.

What Should You Look for in a Retirement Community?

While it is easy to tour different senior communities, if you don’t know what you are looking for or have never investigated senior accommodations before, it can be hard to make the right choice. For this reason, it can be helpful to sit down with family and create a list of “wants” and “needs” before anyone has to leave their home.

If you have friends who have already retired, they can be a great source of advice, but in the end, you will need to talk to your loved ones and family to decide which senior living community is the best choice for you.

Some factors are easy to figure out, such as location, while other factors like cost, long-term care, and support options are more complicated. It is also not uncommon to find top amenities within senior living communities such as pools, golf courses, and recreational halls.

These senior communities work hard to create a pleasurable atmosphere for all residents so that they can settle into their new homes without any regrets. This can make every retirement community you visit look like the right retirement home, but the search likely will not be that easy.

However, before making any sudden moves, sit down with your loved one to do some research and check out the following tips.

What Type of Housing Options Does a Retirement Community Offer?

First off, you need to narrow down the location in Ontario where you are interested in looking at retirement communities. This will help you trim your list while still leaving you plenty of options.

Many luxury communities offer suites that resemble high-end hotel rooms allowing you to bask in lush furniture and splendor. Other retirement communities offer townhouses that you own and are welcome to furnish on your own.

Before viewing potential retirement homes, decide whether you want to own or rent and how much space you want. In the future, when you start touring retirement living communities knowing what you want will make the right choice more accessible.

Do You Need Health Accommodations at a Retirement Home?

Every senior has different needs and varying levels of physical abilities. You need to think about what you expect from the right community and its residents with that in mind.

Do you think you can keep up with a retirement community where other residents are active and busy or do you think that you would prefer retirement living at a slower pace? Are you concerned about medication management in the future? Many luxury retirement communities will offer those services, and a lot more!

Can You Age in Place at Retirement Communities?

Some retirement communities allow you to age in place and have accommodations and other services that allow for long-term care as you age and your needs change. However, some senior communities only cater to seniors who can live entirely on their own. Consider what your plans for the future are before you choose a community.

Many seniors like the idea of aging in place because it minimizes the need to find a retirement home a second time and because it allows them to see firsthand what other services such as assisted living will look like in advance.

What Retirement Communities Fit Your Financial Situation?

Finally, you need to consider the cost and weigh it against the amenities you gain. Every senior has a different financial profile, so consider how much you can afford to spend before you visit facilities and discuss your plans with your family.

Keep in mind if your care needs increase in the future, your monthly rent may as well ,particularly at some communities that offer aging in place. It can be a good idea to seek expert advice from a financial advisor too. 

Do you live in Ontario? You might want to consider reaching out to Sorrento Retirement Residence to explore your options!

Sorrento’s reception desk