Retirement Community Living: The Real Truth
Retirement Community Living: The Real Truth
There are many types of retirement communities available to seniors, but there are also a lot of myths out there. I will explain the various types of communities and how you can determine what might suit your needs. In almost every location around the US, there are a lot of options, but navigating those can be confusing and difficult.
In order to really evaluate you have to speak not only with the companies that run the community but also with people who live there. There are even YouTube channels devoted to these communities that can help you weigh the pros and cons of retirement communities to see if they might be right for you.
If you think the type of easier lifestyle that retirement communities might be right for you, the best thing you can do is visit one personally. There is no such thing as a one size fits all and amenities and services that are important to you, might not be important to someone else. Hopefully this information will get you on your way to investigating the options for retirement living and make the most of those golden years.
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I’ve been in a 55+ Independent living community going on my 5th year and do not like it! There’s a community center, a library with pool tables,, a bus for shopping outings, a little garden-bbq-game area where I could have a raised garden and a pool and spa area. There’s also an assisted living building on the other side of the community.
I am not a social butterfly. I’m not a snob but more of a leave me alone type. If I want to go for a swim, I do. I may even enjoy some chit-chat but then I’m finished lol. I didn’t take a garden bed as I had thought I would enjoy as it’s like being on break at high school. Everyone’s always wanting to talk and party which is fine with me but, I have my own friends that I go to visit or they come to visit. Lordy, don’t get me started on how nosey neighbors are! And then there’s the singles and there’s a lot of them! I’m of the school where I don’t want to play where I eat…to put it nicely. I’ve never felt like a goldfish in the bowl where I feel watched like this. I know they’re just being friendly, are lonely and want companionship but I go out for my entertainment when I feel like it. And then take into consideration that the fire dept/ambulance is here regularly. If I weren’t in the furthest far corner away from all of the "excitement ", I’d be gone!
Now back to looking up those discounts for my own excursions you made me aware of! 👍
3:35 "Many times that home that you bought 30 years ago, and was in a decent neighborhood, now, maybe isn’t in a decent neighborhood"…. in other words, "The black people have moved in, and I’m desperate to get the hell out".
I am at a disadvantage when I move into senior living in a few months. I DON’T like people my own age and avoid them most of the time. I DO like the younger crowd and the things they like. At age 71 I still do cartwheels with my grandchildren on the back lawn. Another thing that bothers me is how much older people complain about aches and pains, yet they refuse to exercise everyday and eat a pristine diet. It’s difficult to understand people who have a lot of illnesses . I’m going to try senior living, but I think I may end up building a cabin out in Montana where I can be alone in the forest. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not cantankerous; I’m just much younger than my chronological age. And my habits are much different from those of senior citizens. I’m an administrator of a high IQ society and my passion is study, so I get along with younger people of higher IQ very well.
Thank you, Dee, great Info! We do need some serious suggested Places! We MUST get out of the place we are in and cannot find a realtor who specializes in Senior Communities that are Affordable!! I’m going to check out the villages and in the interim, can you please suggest some other options. We are 62+ active Indepenent Healthy, still working as Artisans, native New Yorkers looking to LEAVE THIS MADNESS & "live a happy peaceful quiet safe affordable life" in ANY State of the U.S that offers our needs. We need INCOME-BASED RENT or low-income housing. Any referrals or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you💐
Good video… veterans need to remember that many states have veterans’ homes. That’s a possibility for many. I appreciate knowing about the other places you mentioned. I have a farm and at 66 have started to feel the isolation you mention. I will hang on to my farm as long as possible though.
👏👏👏
Look carefully at a home. Knock on a few doors. The community is no longer a retirement community, it’s noisy, and no one answers office phone. Rules change. Lots of gossiping. Home was shown while electric power was off. Horrible.
I was just sitting here reading thru the comments. I am glad I did this. I am getting ready to move to Florida and I had briefly looked at the 55+ communities. From what I have read, that would be a big No for me. I look great for my age,59, am not on any meds ,and single for now. And I am extremely private and would not appreciate nosey neighbors at all. I am ex- military and would not fit in with the older crowd from what I have read here. So I want to say a big thank you for helping me with my decision. And please get your hearts right with Jesus Christ before it’s too late ! He loves you!
For those who do need to watch their pennies, perhaps senior co-housing communities are a better alternative than retirement communities. More flat rates, everyone pitches in with errands & helping each other, job rotation options, less surprises. Not perfect, but more cost-effective. Thankfully, there’s co-housing elsewhere besides Florida.
You can get all this by buying the home you want..and hiring people to care for the chores. Be near your Church, golf and tenes..and then put in a pool and hot tub.
I live in a 55+ Sun City community.I have an unattached house that I love.The quiet is so wonderful.I had nothing but crazy neighbors over the last 30 years and this is a blessing.We have all the amenities.But you are correct when you say some of these people are boring and so cranky.lol.I will gladly give it up for the quiet and the safety of the gated community.
I want to know why people would spend a fortune on maintinence provided communities, when for far less, you can stay in your OWN HOME, with many times a lifetime of love and memories, and just hire someone to cut the grass and whatever else you need done.
Nice job giving an overall introduction to senior living communities. I think that you gave a lot of spot-on information. I would love a video with realistic price points however. I’m sure the prices you are quoting are true for some parts of the country but being in the business for 25 years in Massachusetts and North Carolina, I’ve yet to see a community guarantee a price for life. The prices for independent living with services, amenities, concierge, housekeeping, dining allotment, scheduled transportation, and a calendar of life-enrichment programs currently range from $5,000 to $8,500 per month in the areas I’ve worked. If there are two people, expect to add on a second-person fee between $750 and $1,650 per month. Also, unfortunately there really aren’t a lot of options for people who need veterans benefits and for those on disability or a limited fixed income. I’ve seen assisted living as high as 10K per month, and memory care as high as 15K per month, especially for someone needing a high level of care. Communities will advertise rates starting at $4,500 but after a nursing assessment that price can easily jump to $7,500 plus per month.
Assisted living is having someone take care of my meds. I take so many I can’t figure out what I should take and when. That’s taken care of for me and I have a place to live and food on the table and I don’t have to worry about maintenance and living expenses. Its a huge burden off me and the costs of a home and a car are things I can put behind me. Simplifying one’s life is an important consideration no matter what kind of retirement community ones chooses for the future.
For me it would be for low cost; super cheap is important, since I can’t afford to own other types of housing. However, other advantages are definitely relevant.
The difference between a $700 apartment and an $1800 condo with dining is $1100. That is extremely expensive for one month of food.
I look forward to living in a community that doesn’t have people driving through with music turned up so loud it shakes my floor!!!!
I helped my elderly mom into a retirement community and their rent could go up. It didn’t go up much and they would only look at rent prices once a year. So ask the facility before you sign up. Those prices can go up.
1:19 – I disagree with her point that seniors are not looking to save money by moving into senior communities. I currently pay $1795 for a 1-bdrm apt in San Diego and am on a waitlist for a $1000/mo senior apt a few miles away. Currently there are 5 friends of mine who moved in for the low rent. And they are nice… including AC, veggie garden, balconies & patios, assigned parking, and trees.
True, different places have different prices and services. Thanks for the information. 🙂
Very informative video. You’re very relatable and likable!
On Long Island ny Suffolk county it seems there are only 55 plus . I’m 50 wish there were 50 and over here . Where are the 50 and over ?
Does anyone know of any other youtube channels that are done by residents similar to Jerry and Linda that are from other communities?
Love all your information. Smooth Transitions I need.
As a senior widow I was interested in this title. But I have to tell you I do think your price info might only be for the area you are living wherever that might be. You said an apartment for retirement is about $750 and you said most apartments anywhere outside the retirement community would be about the same. Not here on the east coast that’s for sure. An apartment would start at about $1200 for an older place to $1800 or more for a newer apartment. Average might be $1500 or $1600 plus utilities for a non retirement apartment. Then you mentioned a retirement apartment that included three meals and all utilities for I think you said $1500 or so, where are these located. You could not find that level retirement housing for that low price for sure anywhere around here (northeast or New England). I wish we could find that sort of living.
Retirement communities have a lot of great things. I think the cost is what discourages people. That’s why we need to save money for our future, so we can afford it. I agree that if someone owns a home, selling it helps to pay for the cost.
I watch them, at the villages. Like this channel, too. Forgive, don’t like being around a lot of young people. It’s a quality of life issue.
We are into an online business when we retire, but not in America.
all i am looking for is a simple place and not all this sterile and social retirement home communities . i love nature .
This video really gives me a lot of hope for when I’m ready.
I found in a Senior citizen living apartment for my mom and she was 92 at the time, if they say house keeping included the house keeping in the individual apartments is poor. The refrigerator in Mother’s kitchenette was never cleaned, I did it, it was rarely and not adequately dusted when she moved in she was capable of dusting her furniture but in 3 years I was dusting. They did a good job of cleaning bathroom once a week and and vacuuming floors. There is always a community fee. There is much gossip and clicks.I witnessed to older ladies fighting and slapping each other in the dining room and intervened will waiting for manager to come. I discovered older people are not great at washing their hands well. I cleaned door knobs,light fixtures and water faucets a minium of once a week. If people were ill in community I cleaned these areas several times a week. As time progressed I came to do her laundry and hired people to walk with mom to dinning room, It was over 2,230.00 dollars for large efficiency. Initially when mom was able to walk she joined in exercises and games and made friends with ladies she talked and ate with. Then the time came she had to have 24 hour supervision. I had poured her meds and I was there to see she took them or hired someone to give them. She needs care now and an assisted living is a must again a new community fee. Rates have gone up 6 percent for past 2 years as well as increase in service rate 6 percent. Memory unit the one in our area had a room for 2 people 4000 to 6000 dollars in that 2 person room based on how much care. over a year ago. When I observed almost everyone in w/c sitting in lobby in front of TV whether they were watching or not. I decided against memory unit opted for small assisted living. After 10 months they no longer will drive their van to take mom to Drs office where I could meet her. But also the independent living apartment stopped having a driver available also. Look at vehicles some of them need work will do do for some disabilities and are rarely available to take you anywhere. Food is a big deal. Are they responsive to clients taste. Are you stuck never having any of your favorite food and are you being told they need to severe everyone and if there is a enough then you can have a second helping? In past 9 years I have been in these places, evening, mornings after MN, and afternoons. I have seen confused people wandering and asking for their parents. No member of staff there at those hours. Doors locked if you go out will your loved one remember to bring a key or will the know how to use a key. A lady found out side in front of door in winter by early morning kitchen staff. That happened at the independent living apartment while my mother was their and as I saw my mother’s judgement decrease I worried about her walking out a door and closing on her it only takes one time. Both time I packed up all Moms things and arranged and helped un pack her. There are services that will pack and unpack and some places will give you 800 dollars in my area to help with packing for move and unpacking. My mom was not ready to give up her furniture and things that had belonged to her family. I assited living she has small apartment over 3000 dollars I paid 1,500.00 community fee. That is about the only item you can try to get them to decrease. Read all the contracts carefully if the manager is willing to change or negotiate anything you must get it in writing or the corporation will not honor what you were told. Believe me this is important. My mothers corporation tried to charge her 250 late fee when I had the check given to manager 4 days early but the manager did not put the check in the mail for another 10days and I questioned him why the check had not cleared. The only power I have is moving mom if absolutely necessary.
Excellent points made. Thank you!
We are 68 yrs old. We want to live near the ocean. We live 2 hrs away now And the homes avail now are prefab with hoa fees. I think we’d be better off using any extra money to update our home and pay someone to take care of our lawn.
Whoohoot! Look at your views: Nearly 82K! Kudos to you! You pick good topics & research them well in advance; shows! Thank you for your videos, they’re GREAT!
What do you think about living in a motorhome
Im still 32 years old. I have been thinking about this when i grow old.
I currently live in a studio apartment. I love where i am. I love where i live. I was thinking of if i will buy a house to live, what will happen to it in the future if i retire at 65?
I might as well keep my money and save it. So i can move in a retirement home.
I lived in a senior highrise that was labeled as independent living. There were very few independent living seniors there. Many had caregivers as that program is available for many seniors now and it’s free if your income eligible. The ambulance was there daily and sometimes multiple times. Again, senior 55 and older facilities are filled with people in various stages of decline.
I found it to be a house of misery. Wouldn’t suggest it to anybody who is still in good health and has good mobility. I moved out to a co-op that is mixed in age groups. It’s alot better but in my courtyard of 8 units, we have many people who are also in various levels of failed health. This is our society now.
Everyone taste, needs are different and of course budget.
I live in the Bay Area. My father in law lives in independent living in a community and the cost is over 5K!! Most around here were over 6K at the time we were looking. This is typical for this area. This is one of the cheapest that we could find. We thought about trying to find a place outside of the area, but he is a needy guy and we would be driving back and forth several times a week. The cheaper places are hours away from us. He will most likely run out of money within the next few years.
Thanks for the information! What is the name of the Santa Fe property you referred to?
I am a ways from retirement, but I’m already looking. It’s my dream to move to a 55 & up community in Florida near Disney. The problem is we live in Texas and I can’t convince my husband. He’s hesitant to leave our kids, but the truth is they hardly come around anyway. The idea of having lots of friends my age and like you said, amenities just outside my door, really appeals to me. Not to mention we love cruising and Disney.
Like your hair
Thank you so much! I am going through the Agony of making these Types of Decisions now. You have been a great help.
I work in a Retirement Community and I can honestly say that the Level of service in Them is very Average. While it appears to be Ideal on the Outside it’s more of a Fools Paradise. It’s more of a Bait and Switch. It’s all about milking your Savings to the Max before you die. Of course you take nothing with you and most of the time you will leave Nothing. On the other hand Others see it as a End-Of-Life Investment to Themselves
My sister and I plan to move out of state in the near future and live in a senior community – each in our own apartment or house. Your advice is really timely and food for thought. My older brother required full-time assistance following a stroke. When home care was no longer working out, he was moved into a 1- bedroom w/"kitchenette", meals and personal care options. His monthly cost was close to $5,000 (he lived in Calif. – need I say more?). He was required to pay extra for having help getting a shower; an aide was to take him to the dining room for meals, which didn’t happen numerous times; calls for assistance often took several hours or were ignored, and his bank account was drained after about 4 years. The staff turnover, mostly young aides making minimum wage, was huge. Beware of places like this who assure you that everything they offer is hunky- dory.
Having been born in the 70s tech came into my life and has been there for as long as I can remember. Sure it was pong consoles but hey. Best graphics we had ever seen….. Looking back I seem to be at the point where I have about the same amount of time going forward before something like senior living becomes part of my life. I wonder how much technology will improve our lives at that point. I know A LOT of seniors adopted tech but I think my generation will be the first one to reach the senior level status having tech in their lives since being born.
Anyone born today who reaches that point will probably be plugged in 247 when 2100 rolls around.
Dee, this was great. You started a nice conversation here. Subscribed. 🌈
My aunt is a 103 yrs and i really believe she is so well . Is because she lives in her own home. and her family help out and take turns or gets a sitter to come and stay with her . It is workable
You always have the best content, I recently subscribed b/c I am retiring at the end of July, live by myself and am moving to Florida – it’s overwhelming trying to do it by myself. I don’t have any physical limitations so no excuses not to organize and just do it – but every time I think of all the things I need to do, I start to panic. Hopefully I’m going to get through this and start to live my best life. I’m just moving to an apt, not a senior community, so we’ll see how that works. Thank you for these videos – and I have already been watching Jerry and Linda’s videos as well – those are great even though I’m moving to Southwest Florida and not near where they live.
Thank you for this!! This is exactly what we are going through with my mom right now!
Thank you for an outstanding video, and the comments are extraordinarily helpful, too.
I am 62. I will consider moving to a community in a couple year but NEVER one that also has assisted living and certainly not a nursing home. Last stop….no way.