Retirement Residential Options: How's Your Health?

When considering a retirement residence, are you factoring health into the decision-making process? Even if good health and longevity run in the family, it's a mistake to not prepare for the possibility that you and/or your partner will eventually not be able to live totally independently. 

Be realistic and practical 
How practical will the living arrangements you're now considering be if you simply lose the ability to drive safely? Be realistic—your current health and likely medical outlook should play a considerable role in a smart decision on where and how you live. If, for example, crippling arthritis or Alzheimer's disease has been a recurring family problem, you'd be wise to think about a living situation now where increasing levels of personal and medical care are available once needed. Look for a community that has a range of housing options from independent living for your current active lifestyle, assisted living when you need some extra help, to long-term nursing care, all on the same campus. 

Such places often call themselves "continuing care retirement communities" (CCRCs). They allow you to "age in place" without the need for moving under difficult circumstances. Many offer a range of amenities, activities and events that make them great places to live irrespective of health concerns. 
 

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