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Choosing the Right Retirement Community

Finding the right community for you is a lot easier when you know what to look for in a senior living community. The first step in choosing the right retirement community is to write down what your priorities are. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you start comparing your senior living options.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Senior Living

Location

  • Do you want to be near family and friends?
  • Do you want to live near the coast or the mountains?
  • Do you want to be close to a city or in the suburbs?
  • What can’t you live without: theaters and museums? Golf courses?
  • Do you want easy access to public transport and airports?

Residence

  • Which do you prefer: apartment, townhouse or single-family home? View our independent living floor plans to see what options are available at StoneRidge.

Health Services

  • What is your plan in the event something should happen to you or your spouse?
  • Do you want to have health services available on-site, such as assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapies?
  • Do you want to be close to doctors, dentists, specialists and hospitals?

Community Size

  • Some senior living communities are more like a small town.
  • Would you be happy to drive across campus to attend dinner or classes?
  • Would you prefer a small to medium-size community that felt more like a family?

Pets

  • Are pets allowed?

Find Communities That Have What You Want

Once you know what’s important to you in a senior living community, the next step is finding communities that meet your needs. Search online for communities in your desired location. Visit their websites and Facebook pages to learn more about services and amenities, available health services, and life enrichment programs. If you know someone who’s moved to one of the communities on your list, ask them about it. You can also read online reviews at Caring.com and SeniorAdvisor.com.

When you’ve completed your initial research, you should have a shortlist of communities to call or visit. With safety precautions in place, however, an in-person visit may not be possible at the moment. But you can still take a virtual tour or, if you’re ready, set up a personal appointment via Facetime or Zoom.

Questions to Ask on Your Senior Living Tour

Some of these questions are for you to ask yourself. Others are for you to ask your sales counselor. Choosing the right retirement community is all about getting the answers you need.

General Appearance

  • Do you like the community’s outward appearance?
  • Are the grounds well-kept?
  • Is the community interior inviting, e.g., freshly painted, clean carpets and comfortable furniture?

Apartments and Living Spaces

  • How much space do you need? Is there a den? Patio or balcony?
  • What’s the view like from the apartment?
  • Are the appliances relatively new?
  • Can you make decorative changes, e.g., paint and carpeting?
  • Are housekeeping and maintenance included in your monthly fee?
  • What about parking? Is it covered or underground?

Common Spaces

  • Are the amenities within easy walking distance from the apartment?
  • Are the dining rooms, fitness center and pool, mailroom, library, auditorium, art studio, etc. all under one roof?
  • Are there areas for residents to have a garden?
  • Is there a putting green? A woodshop?

Pets

  • Is the community pet-friendly?
  • Are there areas to walk your dog?
  • What animals are allowed?

People

  • Are the residents friendly?
  • What’s the staff like? Are they professional? Do they know the residents by name?
  • Do residents have a say about the direction of the community?

Activities

  • Does the community support the type of activities you like to do?
  • Are there volunteer opportunities in the community and in the local area?

Dining

  • What’s the food like? Do the menus vary from day to day?
  • Are special dietary needs accommodated?
  • Are you expected to dress formally for dinner?
  • Is there a bistro or café?

Take a Virtual Tour of StoneRidge

If you’ve never been to StoneRidge, we’ve made it easy for you to have a good look around. Our virtual tours give you a 360° view of our beautiful community, all without having to get up from your chair. Be sure to check out our apartments of the week. Our virtual tours are the next best thing to walking through them in person.

Join Us for Virtual Happy Hour

You can connect with StoneRidge residents and staff every Friday during Virtual Happy Hour. We may not be able to serve you a drink, but we’ll answer your questions and give you a taste of the StoneRidge lifestyle. It’s a great way to meet with residents, have a laugh and share your story. Sign up for a Virtual Happy Hour. We’ll send you instructions and a link.