We’ve noticed recently, that one of the reasons families contact Top-Drawer Resources is to get some objective assistance with the selection of a retirement community.  Unlike trying to find one of the other service providers  we work with, the process of finding and deciding upon a retirement community can take months or years.  This allows for lots of time to analyze, overanalyze and become totally overwhelmed.

Anyone who has ever thought about a retirement community for themselves or a loved one knows this is not a decision that is entered into lightly.  In the case of a continuing care retirement community, it is usually a decision that determines the person’s residence for the rest of their lives. Because of the high commitment level, it is very easy to get sucked into analysis paralysis.  So much is at stake, so many details need to be understood, and so many variables need to be prioritized.

How can you get beyond the details to make a decision?

• Make a list of all the variables that matter to you such as price, services available, size of the living space, walking distance to parking, etc.
• Rank each of those variables on a scale of 1-10, and then put them in order. There may be several with a rank of 8 or 9 or 10, indicating which criteria you really need to focus on most.  If your entire list is made up of 8,9, or 10, you’ll have a do-over on your hands.
• Once you’ve determined which criteria are really most important, visit the communities that seem to match your needs — and ask lots of questions.  If price is most important, find out what ancilliary charges might come up and how often the rates increase.  If dining options are critical, ask to have a meal on campus — preferably with one of the residents.  Etc.
• It’s possible that after visiting a few communities, your rankings will change. Perhaps you realize that you prefer having a sprawling campus over a highrise with long corridors. Or maybe the opposite is true — you realize that seeing trees all around isn’t as important as easy access to an elevator that leads quickly to the dining room.
• Take the time to reprioritize, if necessary, and then discuss your thoughts with family or friends. Talking it out with an objective friend or consultant may help put everything in perspective to remove the “paralysis” from the “analysis.”
• Regardless of what’s at the top of your list, you’ll want to spend time at the community to make sure you feel comfortable, welcomed and in sync with the other residents.

Engage the services of Top-Drawer Resources to discuss your retirement needs.  For more information on our consulting services click here or contact us directly.

Copyright 2012. Top-Drawer Resources, LLC.