Moving into retirement housing is a big decision. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70 percent of seniors over the age of 65 will need long term care services as they age. So, when is the best time to move to a retirement community? The short, obvious answer is, “when you are ready!” However, the timeline is different for every person due to individual circumstances.
What are signs it may be time to move into retirement housing?
- Do you need a little help to get through the day? As we age, we may struggle with everyday activities such as cooking, bathing, dressing and household chores. Residents at a retirement community can receive daily assistance to help them complete these tasks.
- Is taking care of your private home becoming overwhelming? Maintaining a home requires chores for every season, both inside and out. At a retirement community, these chores are a thing of the past. Many retirement housing options also offer housekeeping, laundry and dining services so residents can live a truly carefree lifestyle.
- Are you feeling lonely? Social isolation is common in older adults, especially those who live alone. Studies have shown that older adults who live in a retirement community have a lower rate of depression and anxiety. This is because seniors have many opportunities to interact and connect with other residents, leading to improved mood.
- Are you taking care of yourself? At a retirement community such as Country Meadows, programs are provided to help residents stay healthy-body, mind and spirit. These amenities help promote independence and improve personal wellbeing.
You may be thinking moving into retirement housing would be a good decision for your personal circumstance. Now, what time of year is best to help retirement community residents adjust to a new lifestyle?
There are a number of factors to consider:
- Do you need to sell a private home to move to a retirement community? The best time for real estate sales are spring and summer months. This is attributed to families opting to move before a new school season starts. If you prefer to move in autumn, plan to list your home late spring or summer, depending on market conditions.
- Do you want to avoid fall and winter homeowner chores? Fall brings a plethora of household chores such as cleaning gutters, pruning plants and trees and preparing your home for winter conditions. Then winter brings snow to be shoveled from driveways and walkways. Moving to a retirement community allows residents to skip every single one of these chores. In fact, some residents opt to sit in their cozy apartments watching the retirement community maintenance team complete these exhausting chores.
- In what weather conditions would you prefer to move to retirement housing? Moving in the fall season affords weather that is generally cooler while staying light into the evenings. If you plan to use a moving company, peak moving months are June, July and August. Schedules tend to open up in the fall after youths return to college, and many companies offer discounted rates. Plus you probably want to beat cold weather so you aren’t moving into your new retirement community during an ice storm.
- Do you want to skip driving in snow, ice and rain to attend activities? In retirement housing, residents can attend exercise classes, entertainment, social events and learning opportunities under the same roof as they reside. Seniors at a retirement community can enjoy fun while winter weather rages outside their windows.
- Do you want to enjoy more winter holiday activities? At the best retirement communities, there are a plethora of activities offered to residents every single day. These activity calendars become even more robust during the winter holiday season offering more crafting, entertainment and learning opportunities as well as fun outings. By moving during the autumn season, retirement community residents can make friends prior to the holidays and make memories in a new home.
- Want to eat healthier? Older adults, especially those who live alone, tend to eat less healthy since there is less motivation to cook fresh meals for one person. Moving to a retirement community offers seniors well-balanced, delicious meals every day. And no dishes to wash!
If you or a loved one is looking to move into retirement housing before cold weather hits, now is the perfect time!
Country Meadows offers independent living, assisted living and personal care, as well as restorative care and memory support services on its nine campuses in Pennsylvania and one in Frederick, Maryland. Please contact our team for more information about how we can support you or a loved one. Our co-workers are always available to help!
Country Meadows
