At Beatitudes Campus, one of the major considerations we hear from older adults is focused around timing their next move to a retirement community or life plan community. Most people recognize the value in downsizing and moving to a place that suits their current and future needs, but actually pinpointing that moment to move is challenging for some.

Our best advice: Adjust how you view your next move. Throughout our lives when change comes, we generally focus on the exciting opportunities ahead. Take that approach now. As you think about moving, imagine how much you’ll gain–a network of friends, enjoyable programs and amenities, easier living, a plan for the what-ifs, and more.

Once you’re comfortable with the thought of moving, you can tackle the when.

For many older adults who are currently independent, but like the idea of an active retirement in a setting where healthcare services are available if needed down the road, a life plan community can be an ideal solution.

A popular question among prospective residents is, “When is the best time to make the move?” There is no perfect answer to this question because everyone’s situation is different. However, waiting too long can mean missing out on some of the very reasons that seniors are attracted to these communities in the first place.

If you feel a life plan community is right for you, here are a few reasons why you may want to consider moving sooner rather than later:

• Involvement: One of the main benefits of living in a life plan community is having easy access to a vast array of services, amenities, and activities. Many of these perks take place within the walls of the senior living community, but these communities are increasingly providing ways for residents to stay involved in the broader community through service projects, adult education classes, and more. Moving earlier allows residents to more fully enjoy and benefit from these “extra-curricular” activities.
• Wellness: Life plan communities strive to help residents stay healthy and live independently as long as possible. Comprehensive health and wellness programs may include access to qualified fitness professionals, special diet meal plans, aquatic and fitness centers, low-impact aerobics, and yoga classes–just to name a few. Additionally, more communities today are emphasizing a “whole-person” concept, including emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and vocational.
• Relationships: Residents of life plan communities often say that one of the best things about the community in which they live is the friendships they have formed with other residents. Those who wait too long to make the move may not have the time to develop meaningful relationships, which can be particularly helpful as part of a support network if healthcare needs arise in the future.
• Window of Opportunity: Continuing care contracts generally require that residents must live independently and that they are not at an increased risk for assisted living or healthcare services. Therefore, many life plan communities will perform a health evaluation on prospective residents as a part of the application process. Those who do not meet the community’s health criteria can be declined for entry and miss the opportunity to benefit from what the community offers, including access to a full continuum of care.
• Easier Transition: Moving gets more difficult with time. Those who are able-bodied and in good health can better handle the transition, often even embracing this new chapter in life. Alternatively, those who are frail often suffer from relocation stress syndrome (RSS), which can lead to other health problems.

So, when is the best time to move to a life plan community? The above factors and considerations must go into each person’s unique answer. Generally speaking, once you have made the determination that a life plan community is right for you, it may be wise to make the move while you are still young enough and healthy enough to enjoy the many benefits of these dynamic communities.

As a life plan community, Beatitudes Campus offers a world of inspiration and motivation with entertainment, cultural programs, social experiences, educational classes, and volunteer activities. You can participate as little or as much as you like. To help you feel your best, we offer an array of fitness options and healthcare services along with delicious and healthy dining choices.

If you’re considering a move now or in the future, we encourage you to explore Beatitudes Campus. You’ll discover a warm and welcoming place to live with wonderful neighbors who truly care about each other. Once you decide that making a move is a smart choice with lots to gain, you might just find yourself asking, what am I waiting for?

The above article was written by Brad Breeding of myLifeSite and is legally licensed for use.

Life plan communities or continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are a popular retirement living choice among older adults who live fully, or mostly, independently today but desire to live in a setting whereby long-term care services are available if needed in the future. Choosing the right community is an important, complex decision process.

Here are four key aspects of the process:

Agreement Details:
There are a number of different types of residency agreements available. The vast majority of life plan communities require an entry fee and monthly fees. These fees are impacted by factors such as the size of the home or apartment, location, available services, and other amenities at the community. The fees are also based, in part, on what you will pay for assisted living and healthcare services when needed.

Some residency agreements state that your monthly fees will remain relatively level over the course of your lifetime, except for inflationary increases, regardless of whether you are living independently or require care. Other residency agreements may require a smaller entry fee and possibly even lower monthly fees, but if you ever require care services your monthly fees will increase to reflect the market cost of care at that time. Yet, there are other agreements that are essentially a blend of these two.

In addition to the types of residency agreements available, many communities also offer refundable entry fee agreements. These agreements essentially reimburse a portion of the entry fee to the resident if they move from the community or to their estate. The tradeoff: Entry fees are almost always higher for a refundable entry fee agreement and may be contingent on the resale of your residence.

Financial Stability of Life Plan Community
The financial stability of a life plan community will determine if it is in a position to fulfill its long-term commitment to provide housing and health care to residents for life. Do your research to learn about the community’s occupancy ratio, history of operations, financial ratios, and the experience and expertise of its management. You may want to consider consulting with a financial or tax professional for additional guidance when it comes to retirement planning.

Lifestyle
Location, culture, programs, and other services and amenities should align with your personal preferences. After all, this is where you are going to live, and you want to feel happy there. Consider whether the lifestyle offered will help you thrive in mind, body, and spirit.

It’s wise for you to stay a night or two in a guest suite to get a sense of what it’s like to live there. Observe whether residents seem involved in the community and respected by staff. Are activities mainly driven by residents and staff? This can indicate the vitality of the resident base, or lack thereof. Is there up-to-date technology, including WiFi in common areas and in the residences? Also, our meals only available at scheduled times or are there flexible meal time and menus?

Healthcare
Although most people are attracted to life plan communities by the independent living features, the ultimate reason for considering this type of retirement community and paying an entry fee is the peace of mind that comes with having priority access to healthcare. Here are some key questions to ask:

• Does the community appear to take pride in the care that is available to residents?
• What sets the community’s care facility apart from other providers?
• If there is a record of complaints against life plan community, can you review it? If skilled nursing care is offered in a Medicare-certified facility (versus private pay only), consult the CMS-star rating on Medicare.gov.
• Has the healthcare facility received any special awards or special recognition for quality of care?
• Ask about staff turnover in the healthcare facility. A high turnover rate may indicate an unhappy staff, which could translate into poor care delivery.

Beyond staying in your home, contemporary senior living options are plentiful and certainly worlds away from those available in the past. Beatitudes Campus, located in North Central Phoenix, is a prime example of this. Our Arizona-based community offers vibrant, exciting opportunities for building new friendships and seeking new adventures. All of our services and amenities are geared toward your health, happiness, and peace of mind. Planning ahead can help give confidence and reduce stress with future endeavors. That is why it is so important to consider a life plan community for aging well. Beatitudes Campus is happy to provide solutions for your future. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary Retirement Planning Guide today. This planning tool will guide you through some considerations to look at before you choose what’s right for you.

Call us at (602) 353-7109 to request a guide or simply fill out a contact form. Leave a message stating you would like to request a Retirement Planning Guide! A residency counselor will reach out to you regarding next steps. There is no time like the present to start planning for the future.

The above article was written by Brad Breeding of myLifeSite and is legally licensed for use.