Get specifics when selecting your retirement community

Proper planning can often help alleviate much of the stress and worry that can be expected when one makes the decision to move to a retirement community. What follows are some guidelines to follow when making such an important decision, whether it be for yourself or for someone you love.

First step

One of the first steps should be a frank conversation with your doctor and your family to decide at what stage you want to consider moving from your house. Some issues to consider might include whether home health care is still an option, if signs of Alzheimer's or dementia exist, and therefore will have to be dealt with later, and how much money can be allocated annually for such arrangements.

Also on the list of considerations should be how your expenses can be supplemented in the event that you exhaust your own resources.

Understand the options

Independent living is ideal for those who want to give up the responsibility of a house and who require little, if any, help with day-to-day living. Independent living rentals usually include a variety of features and amenities, and they generally are paid for with private funds.

Assisted-living communities feature round-the-clock nursing care to assist with activities such as taking medication, bathing and getting dressed. Residents must be physically able to escape the building unassisted in the event of an emergency. Limited financial aid may be available.

Skilled nursing is designed for people with serious daily health needs, and residents may qualify for financial reimbursement from a variety of sources.

Do your homework

After you have done a preliminary evaluation and determined what your needs are, start calling those retirement communities that seem appropriate. Re-quest that information be mailed to you from at least three places.

Sit down and compare the information, and take the time to arrange a personal tour of those communities that seem best suited to you and your needs. Don't be afraid to take along a family member or friend, as well as a list of prepared questions.

Some issues that are important:

Do you rent your apartments or duplexes on a month-to-month basis, or is a lease required?

What is included in the monthly ren-tal, such as utilities, cable or food?

What amenities does the community offer? A hair salon, computer center, swimming pool or an exercise room might be among the amenities.

What is the community's policy on pets? Is an additional deposit required and is it refundable when the resident va-cates the apartment?

How old is your building and how is it constructed?

What happens in the event of an emergency, whether it is one involving an individual resident or something of a greater magnitude, such as a fire or tornado?

If a particular community interests you, find out what it takes to move in is the apartment of your choice available, and if not, does the community have a waiting list?

Also, find out how long it might be before the apartment of your choice will become available.

Find out if there is a deposit required, and if so, ask if it is refundable when you vacate the building.

Be sure to ask about any move-in specials the community may be running. These incentives often can save a new resident to the community hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of dollars in the long-run.

Get specifics

Ask if you may sample a meal in the dining room, and get copies of menus. What type of meal program does the dining room have? Cafeteria-style? Restau-rant-style? Which daily meal is the lar-gest? Does the dining room serve a continental breakfast or a full breakfast? What are the dining room hours?

If the community does require a lease, you need to understand the terms, and also what happens in the event that you need to break the lease.

It also might be good to find out if transportation is available, and if so, find out how often, and what, if any limitations exist on the available transportation.

Ask about an activities program. If there's one in place, find out what activities are featured.

Making the move

When you've decided which community to become a part of, be sure to get enlarged copies of your apartment's floor plans.

More than likely you will not be able to bring all of your belongings, and a copy of your floor plan can help you envision what pieces of furniture can go where.

Moving to a retirement community could very well be the biggest and most important move you will ever make. Make sure it's the best move you can make, and enjoy your life to the fullest!

(Kelley Morrison is the general manager and Kris Addison is the mar-keting coordinator of Parkmoor at The Gardens, an independent living community).