20 Sep We Visited Active Over 55+ Communities- Here Are My Tips
After awhile, my head was spinning. We are looking into Active over 55+ communities for my mom. Here are some of my tips.
Hi friends,
Sorry for the lack of posts this week, we have been busy with my mom over the last two weeks, looking at active over 55 + communities in the area, as she is going to move here from Pittsburgh. The three of us siblings are all here, and it is important for my mom to be around family. My dad is no longer with us, and we don’t think it is safe for my mom to be at home alone.
We spent several days looking at different communities, and there is such competition! It was funny after awhile, as I felt I could give the tours, I heard and read about the places so much. “Here we have the Birch, with one bedroom and a den, the bathrooms have a step in shower…” LOL!
I’m here to give you some tips on choosing a community to meet your needs. We live in Huntersville, which is a suburb, north of Charlotte. My mom has come to know our area, based up visiting us all and us taking her out to various places and hot spots!
Location, Location, Location
We visited a community that was amazing about 30 minutes from us, had all the bells and whistles and was a very active community. It was bordering Charlotte, and yet, my mother was not comfortable with being “this far” and preferred something closer to us in Huntersville. The location you choose is very important. Do you want to be driving longer distances? How close do you want to be to family? Where is the doctor or hospital located from your place? These are all questions to consider when choosing to stay at a 55+ community.
Think about your life and the convenience that you want. Do you want to drive 30 minutes to be at your daughters house. Do you prefer to be in an area in which you are familiar?
Budget
You certainly can get swept away with all of the amenities or want more space if you are coming from a home. My mom for example, has been living in our family home in Pittsburgh for 45 years. Really consider the space and size that you would feel comfortable with an actually afford. The base price is never what it is, so get exact numbers from the sales people. Do not forget to ask about utilities, what is included and what is not. One of the places included all but water in the lease. Know exactly what you pay for, and set a budget. If you moved from a 2,000 square foot home, what kind of space do I need? My mother is looking for a 2 bedroom and going to convert the 2nd bedroom into a library/music room, as she loves to read and plays the piano. What kind of living arrangement do you need?
You also need to ask about the application fees, and anything deposit that needs to be given to hold a particular unit Some places will hold for 90 days, others, 30.
Community and Activities
If you are a social butterfly, there are many activites at these communities for you to participate in. However, this is by choice, so if you find that you don’t want to do certain activites you don’t have to, but the option is there. There are also clubs or groups that you can join. Book Club and Communitiy Gardening is something that my mother would enjoy. Know the activities and get a calendar of events. Does that appeal to you? Which activites would you want to join in.
We know socialization is such an important part of life, and living alone is not necessarily good for one’s mental health. So, finding things you enjoy , whether it is art, music, books, or exercise classes, you can mingle and socialize with people and get to know the community.
Staying active is so important in life, so there are things you will want to participate in. Exercise continues to be important as we age, so seeing what they have in terms of equipment, classes, pool may be important to you.
This is part of a media room where movies are shown.
Schedule a Tour
Looking on the computer is one thing, but you need a tour of the facility and grounds to really get to know the place. You can also go and speak to some of the residents and see what they love about the place. Get a feel for the surroundings, is it quiet? Or buzzing with activity? Which do you prefer?
Hopefully, you got some ideas of what to ask and look for if you visit an over 55+ community. We laugh, as I think the customer base has expanded where it might have been 65 + before. I say, before long, it will be 45+ communities.!
Are you considering or do you stay an an active over 55+ community? Any tips to share?
Have a great weekend!
Jess xx
mireille
Posted at 08:31h, 24 SeptemberIt’s great that your mom still has a lot of independence! My parents still live on their own and I visit once a week, but it is somewhat stressful when they don’t do too well. Right now, all is well but they really don’t have a backup plan. My MIL is with us and has been for 5+ years, but depending on her health and needs alternate plans will have to be made. Hospice comes and helps, otherwise it wouldn’t be possible for her needs to be met here.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Marsha Banks
Posted at 23:33h, 22 SeptemberI am hopeful Mike and I will be able to “age in place.” But, you never know as you get older, things happen. We’ve been so glad we built this condo as it’s geared toward the 55+ age group so the doors and hallways are all larger. We did have to install a grab bar in the bathroom as he continues to heal from his hip surgery.
I think these communities can be the best things if you’re in the market. Thanks for all the tips. There are so many here I never would have thought of.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Leslie Susan Clingan
Posted at 12:51h, 21 SeptemberThis is a very helpful post. We moved my parents once into a retirement community. Then moved my mom into a second apartment within the same community. Then into a rehab apartment on a neighboring property and finally into a third apartment in an assisted living community closer to my brother’s house in Lexington. So four total moves in a span of about 10 years. It was exhausting. And worrisome, trying to find a good fit for mom after dad was gone. And she began needing more and more assistance that standard retirement and assisted living situations don’t necessarily offer.
Glad you guys are thinking about location. The first assisted living place where my parents lived before my dad died was about 25 minutes with lots of traffic from my brother. And in the wrong direction for everything else he did – shopping, work, social life, doctors. Mom’s final move was to a community still 15 minutes or more away but easier to get to and with more shopping options, banking, medical offices within a mile or so. Even having restaurants handy is important. When Mom couldn’t ‘do’ the dining facility another day, Kevin could easily take her to Texas Roadhouse or Olive Garden without much trouble.
Activities are important, too, You mom is still very young – and adorable in her outfit with denim jacket and tennies. My mom was the Queen Bee for about 5 years after my dad died. Loved being in the middle of everything. But then she didn’t. Having the option to do things is nice and will give her social outlets with people her own age.
Bravo. Great article.