If you’re thinking about retirement, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you want to stay in your current home or move into a retirement community. Retirement communities come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to do your research before deciding which one is right for you. In this article, we’ll give you a basic overview of what retirement homes are and when the best time to start looking for one is. We’ll also tell you what to look for when choosing a retirement home!
What Is a Retirement Home?
Sometimes referred to as a nursing home or an assisted living facility, retirement homes offer older individuals shelter, community and social activities, and they often include nourishing meal plans. Depending on the type of retirement home, there will be varying degrees of assistance with everyday tasks, from assistance remembering medicine to assistance getting dressed or getting out of bed—though the idea is for guests to remain as autonomous as they are comfortable with, with spaces for independent activity as well as their own private rooms.
How Much Do Retirement Homes Cost?
The national average costs of nursing home rooms per year are $108,405 for a private room or $94,900 for a shared one. This is not to mention the cost of living within the retirement home can span anywhere from $25,000-$100,000 each year…so when it comes to choosing where you retire, it’s worth taking the time to do some research and make sure you are getting the best deal possible.
Are Retirement Home Fees Tax Deductible?
In many cases, yes, any expenses you incur as the result of a loved one living in an assisted living facility are tax deductible. That is, if you, your dependent, or your spouse is in a retirement home because they need constant medical care, the entire cost of living at the nursery home is tax deductible as a medical expense. If an individual is in a retirement home for reasons other than medical needs, the cost of any medical expenses that they may incur over the course of the year are tax deductible, whereas other expenses (like lodging and meal plans) are not.
Will a Nursing Home Take a Social Security Check?
If a resident or their caretaker has requested it, some retirement homes will manage social security checks on their behalf—however, residents or their conservators do have the right to personally manage their social security checks and bank accounts themselves. One thing to keep in mind is that if they deposit their social security check and it brings their bank account balance above $1,600, this will make them ineligible for Medicaid, if temporarily.
When Is the Right Time to Consider a Retirement Home?
If you have a parent or loved one who’s getting on in years and you’ve been wondering whether or not they might enjoy life more in a retirement community, you may be considering when the best time is to make the transition. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because every person’s needs and circumstances are unique, we can tell you that the average age in a retirement home is 84.
If the elder in your life is still blessed to be enjoying autonomy, good memory and cognition, and is otherwise able to completely care for themselves, they may not have need of an attentive 24-hour staff like those at Jazba Care. However, most retirement home residents tend to move in around the age of 75, depending on their medical needs.
Top 5 Things to Look for in a Retirement Home
While some people might fear or dread the prospect of a retirement community, moving into an assisted living facility can actually simplify life’s complications considerably and even improve an elder’s quality of life. However, each retirement home is going to offer different benefits and drawbacks as well as different price points. Here are the top 5 things to look for in a retirement home:
- Socialization: Are there ongoing events, social activities, or community spaces where folks can gather at the retirement home that you’re interested in? Finding a community-centric retirement home can dramatically impact not only the quality of a senior’s experience, but even their mental and emotional health as well.
- Meal plans: As we get older, it can become less of a joy to cook for oneself and more of a chore. Look for a retirement home that offers catering, in-house cooks, or a meal plan so that it’s easy and affordable to get nourishing meals three times a day.
- Quality staff: Will the staff at your retirement home be attentive enough to step in when help is needed? It’s also a good idea to seek assisted living facilities where there are medical requirements to be an employee. Remember, these are the people your loved one will be interacting with on a daily basis—so be sure to visit the grounds yourself and meet the people in person who will be caring for the senior in your life.
- Mobility: Will your parent or loved one be able to enter the “outside world” when they need to in order to run errands or visit the bank? Look for a retirement home that either provides its own transportation service for residents or partners with a local nonprofit that aims to shuttle seniors to and from their nursing home.
- Location: Being close to family can be an important factor in whether or not a senior feels called to enter a retirement community. Another factor that may influence where a senior decides to settle is where they have access to a better quality of life. For example, they may wish to be near social resources that come with more developed areas, such as a public library, or public parks.
Sacramento Area’s Premier Retirement Home
Thinking about moving into a retirement community (or moving a loved one into a retirement community) can be a challenge in that change is never easy—however, transitioning into an assisted living facility can be a rewarding experience that not only increases opportunities for socialization with peers, but also even has healthful dividends, even in a practical, medical sense, for years to come. For more information on the importance of senior wellness and how you can support the elders in your life when they transition to a retirement home, check out our recent article on the topic!
Looking for one of the most attentive, compassionate retirement homes in the Sacramento area? Contact Jazba Care today or click here to schedule a visit!
