After your parents have tasked you to find a retirement home for them, the first thought in your mind might be: why me? You haven’t even found your dream apartment, and already, they think you have the skills to find the perfect place where they can retire in peace? But this is a simple task they let you deal with after taking care of you for so long. The least you can do is pour your heart and soul into finding that perfect retirement home for them.
This is a contributed post and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
Proximity to You and Medical Facilities
Of course, you’ll want them to stay somewhere close to you that have proper medical facilities. As much as they want to live lakeside, you do not agree with that because of the access to medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics. You want them to at least live near an urgent care facility that can provide emergency medical services when needed.
Another thing you have to consider is how far or near they should live from you. If you are living in the city, then they don’t want that. Nobody wants to retire in the city. How about a little town just outside the city? Perhaps, you can find a good retirement home for them there? It’s near enough that you can reach them in a couple of hours but far enough for the city life to disrupt them.
Amenities
What kind of amenities does the area have? Does it have a senior citizen center? Such centers are critical for the well-being of older people because they can be with people their same age and interests. Your parents might not need assisted living for now, but it will also help if they can live near one. When the time comes that they need assisted living, the transition will be easier for everyone.
Accessibility
When you finally find a house, consider the accessibility of its many features and rooms. Don’t pick a place with a second story, no matter how charming it is. It will be a complete waste of space and money to get a house where the residents will eventually fail to access some areas. Choose a house that is just right for your parents. If they love cooking, then pick a home with a nice big kitchen.
Knowing what your parents enjoy doing during their spare time will help you choose the right retirement home for them. Do they love reading? Then, they should have a small library where they can spend most of their afternoons. Even if your parents are not big on gardening right now, it’s also better to buy a house with a nice lawn for gardening. They’ll soon pick up the hobby in retirement.
Entertainment and Leisure Options
Some senior parents enjoy golfing. If your father, for example, loves to golf, then pick a location somewhere near a driving range. Most homes near-exclusive membership clubs are expensive, so you can stay away from these areas unless that’s what your parents want. Check the entertainment options in the area. Is the house near a beach, cinema, mall, and other such places? Are there areas where your parents can take a short walk in the morning?
Remember that your parents are now retired, which means they will spend most of their time without anything to do. If you are going to pick a retirement home for them, pick an area with a lot to do-whether it’s Zumba dancing, fishing, or sports. Give them the freedom to choose what interests them in their old age.
Ease of Maintenance
It would be best if you thought about how difficult it is for your parents to maintain a home. So find one that is easy for them to maintain. You can also consider employing a professional cleaner who can visit them once or twice a week to clean the house. Sometimes, it’s also practical to live in an apartment building so that someone can help them maintain their home. Apartment and condominium buildings are practical living solutions for your senior parents.
Finding the right retirement home for your parents is a big task. It might even be more challenging than passing that job interview in your dream company. So take time to figure out what they want first before you jump into attending open houses. Remember that you are not going to stay in that house. This is about and for your parents. Stick to that fact when picking a retirement home for them.
