Choosing a retirement community in Sun City Center, FL is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It could have severe repercussions if things go wrong at this point in your life. You want to ensure that you feel comfortable with the center and care team before signing on the dotted line.
To help you make this important decision, here are some questions you should ask during an interview:
What do Residents Think?
Asking residents what they think of their community is one of the best ways to get an honest, unbiased opinion. You can talk to residents during your tour and ask them about the team, activities, and food options. If you are still unsure about a community after speaking with other visitors, try talking to some current residents!
You can find out if a friend has recommended anyone or a family member who currently resides in the community. This will give you an idea as to whether or not they would be willing to recommend it themselves, as well as if they found anything that was particularly valuable while living there.
How Often is the Rent Increased?
While rent costs vary depending on the community you choose, it’s important to note that most retirement communities typically have a standard structure for how often their rates increase. For example, some communities may increase rent annually while others might raise it monthly or quarterly.
Regardless of the frequency with which they do so, there are also differences in how much your rent will be raised at each interval as well. For example, if you move into a community where residents pay $2,000 per month and stay for two years before moving out due to relocation or other reasons (a total of 24 months), your new monthly rate would likely be somewhere around $3,000-$4,000 upon re-enrollment.
What are the Safety Features?
When choosing a senior-friendly independent living community, it’s important to ask about the safety features. Specifically, it would be best if you were asking:
- How many team members are on duty?
- How many security personnel are stationed?
- What is the policy for reporting suspicious activity?
- What are the safety features of the building itself (for example, fire alarms)?
If they don’t have a system in place to ensure that they can handle emergencies or dangerous situations on their own, then it’s time to look elsewhere.
Do You Have An Aging-In-Place Policy?
When you’re planning to live in your home as long as possible, you have to think about what that might mean for your future. A good place to begin is by talking with your family about the kind of life you want and how they can help make sure it happens.
You’ll also need a plan for keeping yourself and your property safe from harm. That could include getting disability services or installing ramps or other modifications so that it’s easier for everyone—especially if someone else is living with you during this time.
Is This a Pet-Friendly Property?
We all love our pets, so it’s important to know if the retirement community you’re considering is pet-friendly. If you already have a pet and would like to bring them with you into your new home, make sure to ask about any restrictions on pets before committing to moving there. Many communities require that residents pay a fee for each pet they keep in their apartment or house (which can be quite expensive!).
We hope this post has helped you get a feel for what to look for when choosing a retirement community in Sun City Center, FL. Remember that the best way to find out if a community is right for you is by visiting in person and talking with team members. Take notes during your interview, and then review them after leaving so that you can ask any questions that may have come up during your conversation.
