| Retirement communities are great for many reasons. | | | | important to you. Many senior apartment |
| Here are ten tips for choosing the right one for you. | | | | communities have services of this type. |
| Retirement housing is different from housing in a | | | | 5) Diets - Speaking of services, many communities |
| regular community. These tips will show you how | | | | now are making sure their restaurant facilities will |
| everyone over 55 would benefit from additional | | | | offer you food that adheres to your special diet |
| features that will all prove themselves helpful as you | | | | plans. |
| age. | | | | 6) Daily Expenses - By carefully choosing the right |
| 1) Be close to the medical facility of your choice or | | | | community, you can lower your daily expenses for |
| hospitals for emergency care. Some communities | | | | gas, food, utilities, repairs, etc. |
| have on-site medical clinics, but most people have an | | | | 7) Recreational opportunities - Today we are finding |
| outside facility that they visit for routine | | | | out which recreational activities are best for seniors. |
| appointments. As you age, these appointments may | | | | Among these are table tennis for the aging brain, |
| increase in frequency and you will be spending more | | | | walking for exercise, and swimming. Make sure your |
| time driving back and forth. To limit the amount of | | | | community or nearby facilities offer amenities for |
| time, it is preferable to have the facility within a | | | | exercising and lifelong learning. |
| desirable range of 5 to 10 miles. | | | | 8) Restaurants - Some days you are tired or you |
| 2) Inexpensive Food - I think you will find as you | | | | didn't get out to grocery shop. You need to go to a |
| age, your nutrition becomes a high priority. Fresh | | | | restaurant or have delivery. Wouldn't it be nice to |
| fruits and vegetables should be easily obtained and | | | | have some restaurants you like nearby. Within 1 mile |
| low-cost sources should be nearby. Make sure your | | | | is best. |
| community is near farmer's markets, co-ops, and | | | | 9) Near Family - While it is nice to move to another |
| reasonably-priced grocery stores for convenience to | | | | location in a warmer climate, I believe it is best to be |
| fresh fruits and vegetables. Within 2 miles is best. | | | | close to some relatives or friends you love and who |
| 3) Medical appointments -- Be sure to keep all your | | | | can give you emotional nourishment. You may wish |
| medical appointments and have annual checkups. It | | | | to choose a community close to your grown children |
| becomes more important with age. Since medical | | | | and be able to see your grandchildren regularly. Or at |
| appointments and records are now being placed on | | | | least arrange to visit often. |
| your computer, a community with a computer for | | | | 10) Y's and Senior Centers - Y's and Senior Centers |
| you to use would be a good choice if you do not | | | | and other community amenities for seniors offer |
| have a computer. | | | | many programs for cost savings and health benefits. |
| 4) Medicine Monitoring - It would be great to have a | | | | Senior Center benefits may include low-cost meals. |
| way of monitoring your medicine so you won't | | | | I hope you enjoy this list of more things to look for |
| forget to take it. Many communities provide some | | | | when choosing the best retirement community for |
| assistance. Although most active adult communities | | | | you. |
| do not, there are some that do and this may be | | | | |