Age-restricted communities such as 55+ communities are becoming increasingly popular among older adults, and for good reason. 55+ communities act as a safe environment for their residents, while also allowing them more independent lifestyles and improving their quality of life as a result. If your loved one has done their part in life and deserves to spend their weekends on more than just household chores and errands, a retirement community can be the perfect environment for them. If you and your loved one are considering the retirement community lifestyle, it’s always wise to tour the retirement communities in your area before committing to them. Read on to learn how to tour a 55+ community in North Carolina savvily!
Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions
The touring stage is the perfect time for you and your loved one to ask as many questions as you’d like to. The decision to make the move to a retirement community is a big one, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your community tour guide questions. Not only does it help you to become more informed about life in that specific retirement community, but it helps your loved one to feel more reassured in their decision. There is a wide variety of topics to cover when it comes to retirement community life, so make sure to take note of some of the most important questions that you need to ask in case you forget. Some examples of questions that we recommend you ask your community tour guide are:
- Are pets welcome?
- What transportation options does your community offer?
- What’s included in the monthly rate? Is there anything available for an extra fee?
- Does the kitchen accommodate special dietary requirements?
Keep an Observant Eye
During your tour, look around the environment and try to assess if the retirement community is safe enough to accommodate your loved one. Ideally, the retirement community you’re touring should look well-maintained with ample security measures in place. Furthermore, safety and accessibility features like grab bars and wheelchair-friendly ramps should be present in places like entrances, public areas, and walkways.
Make the Most out of Your Tour
Not only should you ask about aspects such as mealtimes, but you should ask if you can experience them for yourself. Most families visit retirement communities they’re interested in more than once and even have a meal or two at the community dining hall to get a better feel for the atmosphere and dining service. If you’re not satisfied with your one-day experience, would your loved one be satisfied with living there long-term?
Review Afterward
Don’t forget to review and reflect upon the experience after your visit. We recommend that you bring home any brochures provided by the community you visit for this purpose. Additionally, it’s always great to bring family members or friends along as well, so that you can discuss how well-suited the community is for your loved one from different perspectives. You can also always follow up with your community tour guide for more information.
Interested in senior living for your loved one? Consider scheduling a senior living tour at our retirement community!
