Several modern retirement houses ensure that the elder residents can live their second innings in peace and tranquillity. Selling their home and moving to a new place is a big emotional decision that has financial implications too.

As one enters the next phase of life, one should consider whether it is worth the effort to move to a retirement village in their present and for their future.

Considerations when opting for retirement homes

Retirement villages differ from the regular retirement homes that are usually suitable for healthy retirees in mind, who can manage their lives independently. Retirement villages, on the other hand, offer care support services for all their retiree residents and elders. Much of the efforts are focused on independent living and the spaces are ideal for people who need a private residence, with daily personal care and scalable support as required.

Retirement villages also offer some amazing benefits since they allow residents to have more freedom and day-to-day opportunities than regular retirement homes, including recreational activities, swimming pools, workshops, and more. They build a higher sense of community with get-togethers and higher independence than any aged care facility.

Know what you are prepared to do, spend, and compromise on before choosing a retirement village. Consider these points:

1. Regular care support

A good retirement village customises personal care based on resident’s needs. You could opt for an occasional helping hand who could perform odd jobs exceedingly well or routine in-home nursing support for tending to your ailments. A tailored care approach provides you with a caretaker to take care of personal needs and yet stay in control. Look for the following services when expecting routine care and support:

•         House cleaning services and laundry
•         Healthy meal preparation and delivery
•         Personal care support for grooming
•         On-site nursing and allied healthcare access
•         Equipment hire, like wheelchairs or a hospital bed supplier
•         Community support

A good community from a retirement village gives a strong sense of connection between residents. Residents feel connected and satisfied with the people around them, feeling comfortable, safe, secure, and happy. Check how the village facilitates social connection, the regular hosting of social events, group activities, the presence of recreational areas, restaurants, and more.

2. Connection and proximity to loved ones

Elders seek connection to their erstwhile friends and family members even when they retire, and are always keen to stay connected. Their retirement days are better when they are in close proximity to their family members and friends. Choose a retirement village that helps them to stay closer to their loved ones and allows them to meet like-minded people. Check whether the village is a closed community or encourages people to have guests come and stay over.

3. Your physical wellbeing

Check whether the Retirement village in Sydney near your place can help you maintain your physical wellbeing even after retirement. It means the world to elders to maintain good physical health when they move into these retirement havens, with enough people looking after their bodies to minimise present and future health risks.

Consider physical fitness and wellness programs when choosing the right retirement village. It makes sense to choose one where they offer regular fitness classes, a green location, easy access to the outside community, the presence of walking trails, and a well-organized recreational centre.

Ask yourself if the village encourages you to spend time outside and in keeping you active.

4. Support your mental wellness

Choose retirement homes that consider your physical wellbeing along with your mental wellness, keeping track of your cognitive abilities, looking after your happiness, ensuring less mental stress, access to the library, discussions to propel intuitive capabilities and keeping you mentally engaged.

A good retirement village helps its residents to develop their physical and mental abilities along with community and connection.

5. Cost of living and budget

Consider the cost of living in a swanky retirement village before making the decision. The costs would depend on your needs and preferences and could be affordable or pricey based on the retirement village you choose in Australia. Check out the apartments, villas and luxury residences that they have, and choose based on your budget as well as your future needs.

While you get access to all areas, some might need extra care, special health-based diets for meals, and much more. Your costs and experience should fit in with the kind of living that you prefer.

6. Preferences and choices

Every resident could have different preferences than the other, so it is essential to make a list of choices that you need to live a worthy life ahead. Make a list and then seek out the retirement village that will keep you happy and satisfied. Shortlist the list of villages based on your preferences, and book an appointment there to know more about the space. Take a decision after you have considered the costs based on your preferences and not before.  

7. Location

As a starting point, choosing a retirement village that is near to your original residence could keep you familiar with the surroundings and could help you adjust a lot easier than when you move out of the city and explore new options. Compare prices and locations of retirement villages before making a decision.

Although everyone needs different things from their retirement, you could choose to be in a city or region where you know somebody in close proximity. Also, if you are accustomed to the nearby areas, you will find it better to move around. It is not easy to explore neighbouring areas once you decide on a retirement home. Consider all aspects of the region and space, and research the housing options before moving into the village.

No matter how keen you are to commence on the second innings of your life, do not rush into making a decision or a commitment. You should only move somewhere when you feel comfortable.