My grandfather has dementia and is finding it hard to live by himself, particularly since my grandmother has passed away. It looks like she had been doing a lot of the care for him in the house, and since she's passed away, the house is getting messier and less safe. We want to know that he is safe and being looked after all the time, so we are placing him in a nursing home. I think the process can be quite hard for families, but seeing your grandparents happy and healthy in the right environment is a good feeling. This blog is about choosing a nursing home.
Helping my grandfather find a new home
Important Details You Don't Want to Overlook When Shopping for a Retirement Village
Carrie Peters
A retirement village can be a great choice for anyone who is of retirement age doesn't need to move to a nursing home or other healthcare facility, but who also doesn't want to stay in a large and empty family home. Retirement villages may offer a wide range of options and services for seniors, and they will all vary in their rules and restrictions, so note a few important details you don't want to overlook when you're shopping for such a facility.
Check the surrounding neighbourhood
A retirement village may look very nice itself, with clean and well-maintained grounds and streets, but you also want to check the surrounding neighbourhood. Is it a bit rundown, and is vagrancy a problem? If so, this might mean a lack of safety at the retirement village itself. On the other hand, if the surrounding neighbourhood has shops, bus stops, and other such amenities nearby, this can mean less drive time when you need to run errands, as well as easier access to needed transportation.
Check the legalities
It's good to have an attorney check any legal papers that go with the retirement village, especially if you're looking to buy the property and not rent it, as this means that you can't simply move out at the end of a lease. There may be restrictions included in the purchasing agreement that you're not anticipating or that could detract from your overall enjoyment of the space, or the contract may note an increase in fees and dues that you're not anticipating. Whatever the case, never sign any such agreement until you've had it reviewed by a professional.
Resident input
Always note how much input and control there is from the residents when it comes to the village and how it's run. Some complexes that rent units, like standard apartment complexes, may have a management team that makes all decisions as to the services offered, upkeep of the grounds and the like. Others, however, have shared ownership between residents, so the complex will have resident committees who help decide on upkeep, improvements, rules and restrictions and so on. Even rental complexes may also have such committees, where concerns from residents are voiced and taken into account. Be sure to ask about this, as residents who own their units may actually be required to cast votes on certain issues, whereas those who rent may not have any voice at all on how the complex is maintained.
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