Another View for October 27, 2005
By Franklin T. Fowler
Many senior adults are looking for, thinking of or planing for a retirement community home in their future. Some may be ready to move now, others are thinking of it, but “not yet.” The younger you are the easier it is to adjust to new circumstances and to change.
Following are my advice and comments after living in a retirement home for close to 20 years.
One of the early decisions you must make is that of determining when you are ready to move. I cannot tell you when this might be. My advice: Do not wait too long. Do not wait until you cannot adjust to living in a retirement home. And remember that sometimes there may be a long waiting time for a specific apartment in the specific retirement home you desire. If you wait too long you may find you cannot meet the entrance requirement at the retirement home you prefer.
Changes
Are you ready for the changes that will occur when moving? You may have been living in the same house for many years. Are you ready to leave it? You probably have dear friends living in your neighborhood that you will miss. You may be leaving the church in which you grew up.
If you are moving into a neighborhood some distance away, you may be leaving your doctor, your bank, your lawyer, etc.
Some retirement homes do not allow pets, beyond fish in an aquarium or perhaps caged birds. Can you do without your pets?
Be sure you are prepared emotionally for these changes.
Questions to answer
There are many other questions you should answer before signing a contract with any retirement home. To help answer these questions you will want to visit various homes. Though there are similarities there are also differences. Here are some of the things you should observe and consider in choosing:
1. Location: One of the first decisions you will have to make is location. There are advantages and disadvantages to consider.
• Do you want to be close to where you have been living?
• Do you want to be close to your children and grandchildren? Remember they tend to move, and if there is more than one child, which child do you want to favor?
• Do you want to be in the mountains, by the sea shore, in a city, in a village, in the country?
• Do you want to be in a retirement home owned by an organization associated with your religious belief?
• What climate do you prefer?
2. Financing: Each home will have its own financing program. Study it carefully.
• Some will have only monthly fees. You rent your apartment on a monthly basis. Check carefully what your monthly fee does and does not cover.
• Some will have an entrance fee, plus a monthly fee which may include meals, upkeep, transportation when necessary, utilities, etc. Again, check carefully.
• If there is an entry fee, is it refundable if you decide you have made a mistake?
Before you make a final decision, consult with your lawyer or financial adviser to find if you can afford this retirement home. It is embarrassing to be turned down. Your qualifications will be based upon your assets, disposable income, set expenses and life expectancy.
Ask for a copy of the financial statement or a copy of the disclosure statement of the retirement home you are contemplating.
Of course, your entrance fee and monthly fees will depend on what type of facilities are available. Some homes have different sized apartments in multi-level buildings, others have cottages or even villas, condominium-style.
3. Health care: You may be in perfect physical health now, but we all know that good health is not permanent. We do decline in our health as we grow older.
Some retirement homes have their own nursing department, with 24-hour nursing care and periodic physician visits. Others do not. Check carefully. In some retirement homes admission to the nursing department is limited to residents. There may be no direct admission to the nursing, assisted living or independent living units. Inquire as to what levels of care are available in their nursing unit.
Is there an assisted living unit? If so, what is the service available?
Is there a dementia unit? If so what is the service and the safety factor there?
Is emergency care available 24 hours a day?
Is there an exercise room properly equipped? Is the exercise unit directed by a qualified instructor?
Is there a swimming pool available? If so, is it indoors and heated? Is a lifeguard provided? What are the filtration and purification facilities? Inquire as to how often the swimming pool is used.
As we grow older we will depend on these facilities, so look carefully at what each retirement home offers. Visit the nursing unit and keep your eyes, ears and nose open.
4. Dietary facilities: While visiting different retirement homes insist on seeing the dining room, the kitchen and the weekly menus. How many meals are provided with the monthly fees? Do you pay separately for each meal? Is there a dietician on staff? Are meals served cafeteria style or to the tables? Are the residents assigned a table, or are they free to choose their seating accommodation? Are tips allowed or encouraged?
What are the arrangements for special diets? What are the regulations for carry-out meals? Is there flexibility in the hours meals are served? What is the cost for visitors' meals?
If possible have a meal there, taste the food and experience the service. In a retirement home, dining services can be both a nutritional and a social event.
5. Transportation: If you still drive your car, inquire as to parking facilities. Are these fairly close to your apartment? Is there protection for your car?
Though you may still be driving your car, the time will come when you should or will have to give up driving. When you are investigating retirement homes, learn about the transportation facilities. Would the retirement home provide transportation to your medical and dental appointments? Is there transportation available to grocery stores and other shopping facilities? Are these added expenses?
Some churches provide transportation to Sunday services and other activities for their members. Find out if your church goes to the home you are considering.
6. Recreation opportunities: Be sure to ask what recreation opportunities are available in your prospective retirement home.
Does the home provide for your hobby or hobbies such as woodworking, gardening, art and reading? Does it have a library? You now will have time for your hobbies or to develop new ones. Are there educational opportunities? Are Bible and/or religious classes available? What kind, if any, are the entertainment programs? What culture opportunities are offered? And what opportunities for volunteer work are given the residents both in and out of the retirement home?
Is a staff person assigned specifically to direct the recreation?
Are these opportunities included in the monthly fees or are they additional costs?
7. Security: Unfortunately, in our day, security is very important. Be sure to inquire about this. What protection is there? Are there locked gates and doors after certain hours? Are the parking lots well lit and are there night guards? Are the various buildings and the apartments under lock and key?
Are there a sprinkler system and fire alarms installed in the apartments and throughout the buildings?
8. Maintenance: Be sure to inquire about maintenance. Will you be responsible for the maintenance of your living facilities? What is provided and by whom? If the retirement home provides this, will you be billed for it? Is there 24/7 service in case of maintenance emergencies?
If the apartment buildings are multistoried, in what areas are the elevator facilities? If the living facilities of the retirement home are located in two- or more-story apartment building, be sure to inquire about the elevator availability.
9. Independence: I have occasionally heard the argument, “I do not want to give up my independence by moving into a retirement home.” My answer is that you are not giving up any independence, but rather gaining much more.
Does the retirement home have arrangements for grass cutting, grounds upkeep, etc.?
What arrangements are provided when you go on an extended trip?
To help in your independent living, what facilities are available such as a small grocery store, a beauty parlor or a bank, and what is your mail delivery service? Are facilities available to mail packages, buy stamps, etc.?
10. Gain knowledge. Finally, talk with residents who have experienced what you are now going through. The staff is committed, but they have not gone through the actual steps you are now facing. Residents, in most cases, will tell it like it is.
May wisdom prevail as you seek a retirement community for your future.
Special to the Herald
Franklin Fowler is a resident of Lakewood Manor, a Virginia Baptist retirement community in Richmond.