What could be easier than retirement? You stop working and wake up every day free to do what you want, when you want and with whomever you choose. It sounds like paradise.
But actually, a fulfilling retirement doesn’t just happen. It requires strategy and planning—and not just financial, though we certainly hope that’s a vital part of your plan. in addition to financial planning, there is lifestyle planning, and our concern today is on lifestyle.
Retirement consultant Barry LaValley cautions against “assuming that you are beginning a thirty-year long weekend.” He asks, “What do you want your life to look like? What changes do you anticipate along the way? How will you get the most out of each and every day?”
When planning for retirement then, consider these areas:
- Physical and mental health – How will you maintain your health and fitness? How will you continue to care for any current medical issues?
- Hobbies and activities – How will you continue participating in ones you most enjoy? What new experiences would you like to pursue?
- Relationships – How close do you want to live to family members and friends? Would you like to develop new friendships with people who share your interests?
- Residence – Where do you want to live? Do you prefer to remain where you are? Would you like to relocate to where your adult children live, or maybe to where the cost of living is lower?
Retirement today comes with choices to meet everyone’s needs
Retirees of all ages today have a broad range of lifestyle and care options from which to choose. However, comprehending the differences between them can leave seniors and families feeling like they’re in a maze of choices. At Country Meadows Retirement Communities, we understand that feeling, so we developed a free guide, “Navigating the Maze of Senior Living Options.” You may order the guide here.
For some seniors, aging in place (in their own home) is the right choice. Others benefit from being part of an active senior living community. But then, which service options are most appropriate? An independent living community or an assisted living or personal care home? Should memory support services or restorative services be considered.
Judy Wolfman, a resident of Country Meadows York-South (Leader Heights), says her choice to move to a retirement community was prompted, in part, by the burden of maintenance duties and a house that became too big for her as a widow. The decision brought her a sense of relief. In her first blog post in our “Through My Own Lens” series, Judy writes that her tour of Country Meadows “convinced my son and me that I didn’t have to look any further for a new place to live. I signed up on the waiting list, and returned home feeling relieved.” Though she had mixed emotions about selling her home, once she made the transition, she says, “I felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders.”
Whatever choices are ultimately made, seniors (along with their families) are wise to begin the decision-making process early, ideally when they are independent and healthy in body and mind. If you’re at the stage of choosing a retirement community, you might want to read our article on what to look for when considering a retirement community.
If you are like many retirees, who feel that a senior living community is financially out of reach for them, you might be surprised. We invite you to use our convenient tool to compare retirement community living costs with current living expenses.
If you’re seeking a retirement community in Pennsylvania or a Maryland retirement home, we hope that you will check out one or more Country Meadows communities. Caring for our residents is an honor and a privilege, and we hire and train people who embrace that philosophy.
Our senior living options include retirement communities with independent living, as well as personal care or assisted living. All of our communities also offer memory care support and restorative care.
Please contact us for information or to schedule a visit so that we can introduce you to our full range of services.
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