Your guide to senior living options and selecting a community.
When you make your home in a Life Plan Community, you’ll move into an exciting new life, with more friends, more fun, and less worry. Choosing the right senior living community is one of the most important and exciting decisions you’ll make, and doing the right research is key to a vibrant, happy future. But with so many choices in location, lifestyle, services, and more, how will you know which Life Plan Community to choose?
The points below have been adapted from “Retire Your Way, A Guide to Senior Living,” a resource Springpoint created to introduce you to the Life Plan Community concept, and to help you understand the many retirement options available today.
Type of living accommodation—Life Plan Communities most commonly offer apartment-style living, with sizes ranging from studios to large two-bedrooms, all in a variety of floor plans. Many communities now offer freestanding homes as well, with more space, privacy, and full access to all the activities and amenities that the community offers.
Services and amenities—When choosing your future home, you’ll want to be sure it’s a good match for how you like to live and what you like to do. Most Life Plan Communities offer a full range of social, educational, and cultural activities. These can include things like art classes, lectures and learning, musical performances, and more. A range of fitness activities are generally available as well, and may include amenities such as an indoor pool and fitness complex.
In most Life Plan Communities, dining is a social highlight of the day. You may want to check if the hours are convenient, what types of foods are offered, and whether special dietary needs such as low-sodium or kosher meals can be accommodated.
Lifestyle—When visiting a Life Plan Community, it’s important to consider compatibility with the residents and staff members you meet. Is there enough common interest and background to develop relationships and feel at home? Is the community a good fit for your personality and lifestyle?
Some Life Plan Communities are large complexes with several thousand residents, while others are small and intimate with just a few dozen. Is the size of the community right for you? Do team members demonstrate professionalism and convey a sense of warmth in their interactions with residents and each other? If residents are happily interacting with one another and the team, this is a very good sign.
Reputation and Financial Stability—A move to a Life Plan Community is a solid financial choice. That’s why it’s important to be sure the community you choose is on strong financial footing. For example, is the community established, with a long history of success? Is it backed by a large organization with stability and strength?
