When it comes to getting the right retirement community for your loved one, you may at some point ask yourself what your loved one actually wants in a retirement community. For some people, their loved ones are able to tell them exactly what they want and even help in the process of getting the right one. However, not all residents of retirement communities are able to explain what they want or are able to participate in the process of identifying the right community. From research as well as information from experienced professionals in the retirement community space, we have put together some information about what your loved ones may want from senior homes.
Access To Nature
One of the most defining factors, when it comes to retirement communities, is nature and over the years, experts have found that many people prefer areas that are as close to nature s possible. Gardens, parks, and patios overlooking greenery are all aspects that have proven popular with many residents over time. There are many aspects to this as well. For example, indoor plants may be popular with some people but others don’t really like them. This means that even in some of these things, there are nuances.
Flooring
Retirement communities have noted over time that there is a preference for rugs and carpets over tiles and other forms of flooring. This makes a lot of sense because rugs and carpets are fairly warm and can add a certain homely aspect to the apartment. The drawback to these two is that there is a risk of tripping and being injured. For that reason, it is not always possible to have these in all the apartments in a retirement community. Carpets, however, are a great option because they do not have edges (such as rugs) that can increase the risk of falls. They also come with all the advantages of a rug in that they are warm and there is a reduced chance of slipping. Dust may be an issue in some cases but since most retirement communities ensure that the apartments are kept sparkling clean, this is really never a serious issue.
Safety Features
Most people are naturally concerned with how safe they are in a retirement community and your loved ones are probably no exceptions. One of the main concerns is physical safety as well as the safety of their property. However, most retirement communities invest heavily in security so their campuses tend to be fairly secure. There is also the security aspect in the wider community. This is partially why many retirement community residents prefer smaller towns as they generally tend to have significantly lower crime rates than larger cities. Related to this is the issue of getting around when running errands or visiting friends. This varies from one individual to another and is influenced by aspects such as budgets and other factors. However, there is also the issue of safety infrastructure. Residents who are prone to falls and slips might prefer to have facilities that can protect them from such accidents. These include grab bars in bathrooms, non-slip floor tiles, and much more.
