Are you thinking about a move to a retirement village?
If you are thinking about moving into a retirement village, below are 10 top tips to consider:
- Timing is the key. You need to decide when a move is right for you. If you are not ready, you won’t feel settled, but if you leave it too long you will wish you had moved earlier.
- Age is not the best indicator. Age is simply a number. There is no set age when you should move to a retirement village.
- Share your thinking with family and/or friends. Those who know you will help you to make the decision that is right for you.
- Make the decision to move before selling your home. Once you have made a decision you can then deal with the issues concerning the physical move. By having a clear decision in your mind, the details of selling your home will not be as overwhelming.
Make a list of questions before visiting facilities. This will ensure that you receive the information that is most important to you. It is also a good idea to visit a number of different villages. - Take a friend or family member with you on village visits. This will give you another perspective from someone who is close to you.
Spend time in and around the village of your choice to get a feel for how it would be to live there. Visit the village more than once and at different times of the day. - Check the reputation of the village operator. Aged Care Queensland can provide you with information such as does the village operator have a good demonstrated history within the industry? What other villages do they operate? You can also check the operator’s certificate of registration.
- Does the village provide for your future security needs? Does the village have on-site ongoing care or a transfer arrangement with another of their sites? Are Care Packages available within the village units? Is there an emergency call service available to provide 24-hour coverage?
- Does the village offer community features? This could be physical assets such as a swimming pool or community hall or it could be opportunities and places for discussion and meeting with other residents or it could be a regular church service.
The above is by no means a comprehensive list. However, it does provide you with some food for thought when considering a move to a retirement village. Churches of Christ Care operates 13 Queensland retirement villages. For more information about retirement villages in Queensland, please visit their website www.care.cofcqld.com.au