Article Surfing Archive

So you*ve finally retired! After all the decades of hard work and stress, you are now in a position to put your feet up and take a well earned rest from it all. Whether you have been slaving in an office for the last thirty or forty years, or spending your time chasing after children day in day out, you and your partner deserve a break.

More importantly, you have earned to right to move to a retirement community that not only offers superior quality accommodation and facilities, but also the interesting and fun social networks that will see every minute of your retirement spent in comfort, relaxation and joy.

For many couples, choosing a retirement village can be a daunting task. It's understandable too, since you have to factor in your future needs. After all, as you and your partner grow older, your needs will naturally change. It's imperative to make the right decision now!

Choosing a retirement village or community requires homework, and there a number of things you need to consider. Probably the first concern will be the cost of the accommodation. No only are there entry costs to consider, almost all communities require recurrent charges, extra fees for services and increased fees if you need to move to a higher level of care. Having a budget will make things easier for you.

Checking the sort of contract that governs your accommodation is also a key step. Are you signing onto a loan/license, lease, strata or company title? Each contractual relationship is different and will effect your rights as a resident and the costs you may face.

Other considerations are access and location. No doubt you will want to be near to your family and loved ones, but easy access to shops, public transport and other services is an important factor as well. As far as access is concerned, remember that as you age, you may need a walking aid or wheel chair, so be sure to find a community that accommodates these.

The ability to upgrade to a higher level of care is also imperative. After all, if you become frail or unable to care for yourself, you will want the option of moving into an assisted care arrangement. Many retirement communities offer a spectrum of graded housing, from villa homes and independent living apartments, to assisted living apartments, long-term nursing care, short-term rehabilitative care, and specialized Alzheimer's/dementia care.

Choosing the right retirement community is a big step. But by thinking down the track you can be sure you and your partner will be comfortable and properly cared for, so that you can really get the most out of your golden years.