Thursday, February 27, 2014

A Guide To Choosing Maine Retirement Communities

By Charmaine Foreman


Seniors now have many options when choosing a retirement community. For some seniors, the type of community to choose is a matter of choice, while for others, it is based on need. The different types of communities to choose from include nursing care, Alzheimer care, continuing care, assisted living, independent living and active adult facilities.

There are many benefits of living in a retirement community. One of them is the safety associated with living in such facilities. Most Maine retirement communities have security personnel. They also install monitoring devices like closed circuit television cameras in public places to ensure that residents are not victimized by unscrupulous individuals.

If you choose to move to a senior housing community, you will also enjoy increased companionship with your age mates as you mingle with people who have similar preferences to yours. Senior apartments also offer many amenities that you may not have access to when living in your own property. You will also get to participate in events or activities that encourage socialization.

When living in a retirement home, you will not have to drive long distances to get necessary items. In most homes, there are stores that meet the needs of residents. Pharmacies and grocery shops located close to such facilities also provide residents with delivery services. As you choose a senior housing facility, it is important to consider a few things.

Start by considering the location of the retirement home. If you have children, you can opt to reside in a community that is not too far away from where they live so that they can visit you any time they want. Another thing to consider is your health. If you are suffering from an ailment that requires regular medical care, it is wise to move to a facility that has physicians who can offer the assistance you need.

Seniors who anticipate that their health or that of their spouse may deteriorate in the future can consider moving to continuing care retirement homes. These facilities provide various types of senior care from nursing home care to independent living in the same community. If a resident starts needing help with completing activities of daily living, he or she can be transferred to a skilled nursing or assisted living facility in the same community.

Elderly individuals who are on a fixed income should consider if the fees charged by the facility they want to live in can match their cash flow needs. Another factor to consider is the activities they can engage in. Seniors who have an active lifestyle should look for a community that has tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness centers or golf courses. They should also look for facilities that sponsor outings or other planned activities that match their interests.

It is also important to consider if the staff members in a particular community are friendly. Seniors can speak to staff members and the residents of the community they want to join to find out about the willingness of staff members to assist residents. Moving to a retirement community can be stressful but it can open up a new chapter that is full of new friendships, interests and new experiences in the life of a person.




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