Retirement Living: Try It Before You Buy It
Kathy Wise, Executive Director of Blue Bell Place – A Watermark Community

Retirement Community.  These words no longer evoke the traditional images from even a few short years ago.  Stereotypical scenes of rest, relaxation and rocking chairs are being replaced by active lifestyles and renewed vitality.  Today’s seniors know what they are seeking in retirement and are savvy shoppers when it comes to making the very important decision regarding which community is right for them.   For many seniors deciding between retirement communities, top priorities include independence and the freedom of choice to create a lifestyle that meets their unique needs. 

The challenge then, is how to determine which community is the right fit for you? Why not try it before you buy it? What does this mean for seniors searching for the ideal retirement lifestyle?  For many, it means getting a taste of a community before actually moving in.  Short term stays – sometimes called vacation stays – provide the best opportunity to determine which retirement community is ideal for you.  It’s as simple as packing a bag for a weekend or a few short days and experiencing a community and all it has to offer.

To get the most out of your short term “test drive,” consider the choices and benefits that are most important to you and your family.  What are your preferences for dining, transportation, personal care, social activities, as well as educational and wellness opportunities?  Can you exercise and dine when, where and how you desire?  Your vacation stay should clarify the answers to these and many other questions such as: Will the community allow you to make the choices that are important to you?  Is the staff professional and friendly? Do you feel at home in the apartment? Would you enjoy the company of your new neighbors and friends?

Every individual has unique preferences and needs for senior living.  For many residents at Blue Bell Place, life-long learning and wellness activities, in addition to weekly trips and outings were the determining factor. For others, it was the opportunity to move to Pathways, Blue Bell Place's innovative Memory Care community, which meets the unique needs and enriches the lives of residents with memory care needs.

For individuals considering Pathways, vacation stays are very popular because they offer families the peace of mind that comes with knowing that while they are away, their loved one is well cared for. A vacation stay within Pathways can be of great assistance to families considering moving their loved one to a secured memory care community.  This short term visit can help clarify whether or not the move is the right choice for everyone.

The choice between retirement communities is critically important.  Make your choice an educated one. Experience a vacation stay at each of the communities you are considering. The investment you’ll make in just a few short days could result in a healthier, happier retirement that’s right for you.