What to Know Before Choosing a Retirement Village

Retirement is a major life change, and with it comes one of life’s biggest decisions: choosing where to retire. While in other cultures the answer is almost always to stay with family, in Australia and other Western countries, there are many alternatives. One popular modern choice is the retirement village. These are small communities where seniors can still live independently, but care, amenities and activities are built in.

They’re highly convenient, but they can also be costly. It’s crucial to understand the pros and cons of this style of living before you or your loved one commits to it. In this article, we’re walking you through the biggest benefits and drawbacks of retirement village life.

The Sense of Community

Loneliness is a big problem among the elderly. Their children are often working or busy with their own children, so they don’t visit as often as they’d like. Any friends they have of the same age may start suffering from ailments and mobility issues that make meeting up difficult. Living in a village with other seniors, however, this isn’t such an issue.

These places are designed to make meet-ups easy, and to foster friendships and a sense of community. This happens not just through living in the same area, but also through planned activities. For sociable seniors, this can be ideal, although it may be intimidating for those who prefer a little more solitude. Bear in mind, however, that residents still have their own homes to retreat to.

The Balance Between Independence and Support

Access to care and support is essential for seniors, but many wish to retain a sense of independence. Retirement villages strike a balance between these conflicting needs by allowing residents to live in their own self-contained units, but care is just a phone call or a short walk away should they need it.

However, not all villages offer the exact same combination of independence and support. Some offer a lot of structure, with clear daily routines and care visits at frequent intervals. Others offer minimal support and lots of freedom. Be sure to read the materials provided by each village you’re considering, as they often describe their daily and weekly schedules. Look for one that suits your needs.

Healthcare Quality and Services

Each community offers a different level of care and support, so this is also something that requires serious research. For example, some have medical facilities on-site, or are located within a short distance of a hospital. Others are visited at regular intervals by health professionals.

Even in the former group, care for those living in the retirement community may only be covered up to a certain point. Any other treatments or costs may need to be paid by the resident or their family. This is especially important if you are already suffering from a chronic condition.

Fees and Other Costs

Because they’re living there on an ongoing basis, it’s hard to predict upfront how much life in a retirement village will cost. Those which seem affordable up front may turn out to be expensive over the long term. That’s not always the case, however. The point is just to make sure you understand the financial structure of the community.

There’s often an entry fee, plus ongoing charges for maintaining the village. Certain types of care, or particular activities or services, may be charged at an additional rate. Also, even though these facilities are the final home for many of the individuals who choose them, there are often exit fees or resale fees if you need to move out earlier.

Accommodation Options

Most retirement communities offer various types of housing to choose from. While all have been designed with accessibility in mind, you can choose according to your budget and needs. Most start with small apartments and end with villas, which may come with a garden and multiple stories. The latter offers more space, but the former requires less upkeep and can make it easier to find and access the things you need.

Giving up space can also mean giving up sentimental items, which could be upsetting. You need to weigh convenience against the emotional impact when making your decision.

Social Activities

As we mentioned earlier, one of the ways retirement villages foster a sense of community is through social activities. The mixture of these on offer will vary from village to village, so if there’s something you really want to do, make sure it’s available. Common activities include exercise classes, outings to nearby parks and museums, and groups for hobbies such as knitting and singing.

Many residents enjoy the structure and social engagement that come with planned activities. Others, who prefer to manage their own schedule, may feel pressured to attend, even if the pressure is unintentional on behalf of the other residents. Be sure to choose somewhere that you’re comfortable with.

Safety and Security

One of the big selling points of retirement communities is the safety standards and the increased peace of mind that comes from staying within such a close-knit community. You’ll know all your neighbours well, but the facilities also tend to have gated entrances with security guards, CCTV cameras, and other practical security features.

Additionally, if any residents get into difficulty or have a problem, help is on hand. But for some, living in such a security-conscious environment can feel restrictive. For instance, there may be curfews or rules around visiting times.

Amenities and Facilities

Many retirement communities offer a broad range of amenities, such as shops, restaurants, gyms, green areas, a pool and transport services. These are obviously very convenient, but they also add to the cost. It’s possible that, in some places, you may still need to pay for facilities you cannot or don’t want to use.

However, you still have the option to use private alternatives if you prefer.

Location

This is one of the most important factors to consider before making your choice. To start with, proximity to family will be crucial for many seniors. Those who want frequent visits cannot choose somewhere very far away from other members of their family. Then, you need to think about the amenities in the local area, and especially transport links. This will give you more independence, if that’s what you want.

However, locations like these may require you to move to a more built-up area, which might not be what you’d like in retirement. Yet moving far away may require you to start building up new connections and friendships from scratch.

Conclusion

It’s easy for youngsters to put all seniors into the same category, seeing them as a homogeneous group with the same interests and preferences. In reality, they are just as varied as everyone else. Retirement villages aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but they can be an excellent option for many, provided that they’re well-chosen. And making that choice means considering all of the factors we’ve mentioned above.

Those who understand and appreciate the sense of community and the balance between independence and support that these facilities create are likely to have a lot of fun. Those who prefer a bit more privacy and full independence may be better off looking at other options. The key is to find what fits you or your loved one, and the factors above provide a structured way to do it.