Retirement planning – Senior-friendly locations and facilities
Thinking about life after retirement? Well, for some, retirement is the ultimate aim, while for others, it is yet another turn in their life journey. Either way, it is an inevitable experience. Planning can help one make the best and most informed decision about this next stage in life. Investment and saving plans can help with travel during the retirement phase. It will also help upgrade your retirement lifestyle as an independent senior citizen.
Places to retire
A lot of factors play a functional role in the decision of retirement and its planning. When looking for the best place to retire, common questions pop up:
While you will have your own set of questions that need answers, here are three retirement favorable states you can consider:
Georgia
Georgia is a common choice among seniors planning their retirement. This state is a common retirement choice because of its affordability and low cost of living. One of the key selling points of Georgia is that its suits every budget. The state ranks among the top affordable places in the country, and its light tax burden has a lot to contribute to its ranking.
Florida
Florida has long been a retirement haven for seniors and those planning their future life. Some of the benefits are the long coastline, warm weather, and, the biggest of all, the state’s no income tax policy for its inhabitants. It is also an excellent pick for seniors who want to live the retiree life but want to stay within traveling distance to frequently meet their family. Florida has a lot to offer, including small towns, comfort living, ski resort cities, and college towns. With a variety of cities on the Gulf shores or the Atlantic, you can expect to find at least a handful of cities to fit every retirement budget for seniors from varied economic backgrounds.
Tennessee
A fairly new entrant in the list of retirement hot spots in the state of Tennessee. With health assistance, an important factor for seniors and retirement living facilities, the University of Tennessee has plenty of doctors and medical students. The state’s low-cost living and even lower state and estate taxes are huge contributing factors to the state’s ranking. Besides the affordability, Tennessee also has favorable climate conditions.
Types of retirement communities for seniors
Once you have narrowed down the state you want to spend your retired life in, look for the perfect type of community that would be the right fit for you. With numerous options to choose from, selection can be a challenging task. However, it is important to consider all factors, including current and potential health and economic status, before making a decision.
Independent living
Seniors that want to enjoy an independent and active lifestyle can opt for this type of setup. It is the perfect fit for seniors looking forward to enjoying living life maintenance-free. With independent living, seniors can enjoy their retirement in a single-family home, a condo, or a regular apartment with a neighborhood of other retired seniors. These are located in senior-friendly places that allow the space to enjoy the great outdoors and socialize with similar-aged people. Some of the attractive features of this option often include a clubhouse, activity center, barbershop, restaurants, and more.
Assisted living
Assisted living facilities are meant for ailing seniors who need intensive care due to limited physical moments. It is a setup similar to a home environment but with a caretaker looking after the seniors around the clock. The staff is trained to provide help with day-to-day activities like bathing, brushing, eating, dressing, grooming, and maintaining personal hygiene. It also includes daily meals, snacks, laundry, and transportation requirements. Most assisted living facilities also employ nurses to overlook the care of each and every resident.
Memory care facilities
A lot of assisted living facilities have a separate memory care wing. However, some facilities specifically cater to seniors and retirees with memory issues. The staff in these senior living facilities are professionally trained to care for residents and situations dealing with memory loss. The apartments in these facilities are also designed to meet the resident’s needs. Most memory care senior communities are also equipped with additional security measures like emergency call buttons, motion sensors, external doors, and camouflaged exits. Memory care living communities aim to allow residents to live as independently as possible while also looking after them and their needs.