If you or your loved one has been planning for retirement for a while, your next move may be to consider places to retire. If there were one perfect community to match the needs of every retiree, making this decision would be relatively easy. But the truth is, no location fits every dream, and there are plenty of charming and attractive communities all over the country. If your loved one has chronic health conditions, what’s most important is that their health needs are met if you decide to relocate them to an assisted living home. That’s where they’ll have access to round the clock care and daily assistance with tasks beyond their capacities.
Regardless of your joint ideals—or deal-breakers—these are some of the top considerations to have when deciding where to relocate your loved one.
Make a List of Must-Have Amenities in the Area
Look at the local facilities like arts and entertainment, retail, libraries, and civic organizations available. Your loved one will need to like where you live in the place they ultimately decide to retire. Are they a lifelong learner? Have a university near an assisted living home will provide them with a setting to carry on your learning journey.
If they are religious, they’ll probably be eager to join a spiritual group when you move, so be sure to check out the religious institutions available nearby.
You may even want to attend a service there with them and get to know the pastors to determine if the new neighborhood is right for them. Thankfully, many assisted living communities also provide chauffeured transport services for your loved one to get to and from their desired destination easily.
Closeness to Family and Friends
Every item on this list should be taken into account when considering where to retire, but none should be the decisive reason. One key factor to consider is how close in proximity you’ll want them to remain to your family. Would flying home to visit family every holiday be something they’re open to?
Sometimes, assessing the benefits and drawbacks is necessary. For instance, if they are certain that the location they are moving to has a ton of activities they would enjoy, they might be able to handle leaving you and the grandchildren behind and moving across the nation.
If spending time with your loved ones and close friends is important to them, however, you should take that into account when deciding on the location for them to retire.
Consider Healthcare Offerings
As your loved one ages, their health issues will likely progress. Hence, it’s important to make sure there is good access to physicians, dentists, and medical centers in the vicinity of the assisted living home in the case of an emergency.
That might mean rethinking communities located in more rural areas. Or it could just mean researching doctors in the region prior to the move.
It’s also important to consider the healthcare services available on-site, at the assisted living home. Is there 24/7 access to care? Adequate amenities like gyms and fitness programs for your loved one to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Ultimately, choosing the perfect assisted living home for your loved one to relocate to is no easy feat, but the process can be made easier by considering such factors.
