Forbes: Top 6 Factors for Senior Living Shoppers

With an increase in Americans’ life expectancies and a greater push to implement ways residents can age in place, senior housing should be a place that works for the resident today, but also will be suitable in the future, Forbes writes in a recent article.

Though people may struggle with the decision to move into a senior community at first, once they make the choice, they build relationships, settle in and are “extremely reluctant to move,” suggests a long-time independent living resident Forbes interviewed.

The resident, a former secretary of health for the state of Pennsylvania and former chief medical officer of the U.S. Public Health Service, said finding this perfect fit requires six considerations: renting, buying, cost, neighbors, location and meals.

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After the economy and, subsequently the housing market, tanked, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) lost steam, because of the high entrance fees associated with moving into them. The expense and the benefits of living in a CCRC, Forbes notes, should be compared with renting a standard independent living unit.

Community amenities and apartment sizes should also be evaluated when comparing costs of one community versus another. Location of the community is an important factor as well, Forbes writes.

Finally, when weighing senior housing options, a prospect should take into account the interests of the existing residents and the kinds of food offered.

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Getting past the lobby and getting to know more about the culture of the community, Forbes writes, will help residents find the senior community that best suits their needs.

Read the full Forbes article here.

Written by Emily Study

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