Planning Your Retirement
You pay into your pension fund at work, contribute to RRSPs and make investments that will offer future returns. For most of us, this is the extent of our retirement planning. After all, what else is there to think about? Plenty, suggests Wendy Taylor, Community and Senior Services Liaison at Peoples Park Tower.

“Planning early takes the pressure off the kids,” says Taylor, pointing out that the best time to make decisions is when you are healthy. “It’s so much easier when decisions have been made in advance and not done in a rush.”

As well, making your retirement arrangements yourself is both empowering and reassuring…and far preferable to having someone else make them for you at some future date.

Now, as the wave of Baby Boomers rapidly approaches retirement age, retirement housing and services are already limited so planning ahead one’s future living accommodations is just good sense.

So how soon should we begin planning for retirement living? “We’ve had people move in here as young as 55 years old,” says Taylor, explaining that a stroke or serious heart surgery may necessitate a sudden change in lifestyle. “Other people have called and asked that we reserve them a spot five or even ten years from now.”

There are several reasons for considering a senior housing complex, says Taylor. In addition to the obvious health benefits (including Life Line and on-site nursing care) people should also consider it for social reasons. The presence of a communal dining room or restaurant means that a person doesn’t have to eat alone, while the close company of friends provides a network of moral support and encourages people to stay socially active. “Stimulation for the mind, together with peer friendships, is just as important as the physical benefits,” says Taylor, “It’s a better, nicer quality of life.”

Questions to Ask When Planning Your Retirement
What Services Do I Want?
Perhaps most important is to decide on the kind of services and the level of care that you want and require. Are you looking simply to rent an apartment in a mature adult community? Or are you looking for a package that includes some basic services such as meal preparation, housekeeping and possibly nursing care?

What are the Costs?
Inquire as to which services are included in the monthly fee and which are billed as extra services. Be sure that all healthcare services and fees are clearly spelled out in your contract.

Is There a Waiting List?
Almost all senior complexes have waiting lists. Find out how long the waiting list is and whether or not there are certain exceptions or preferences that may affect your position on the list. Ask whether or not a deposit is required and, if so, if it is refundable.

Do I Like the Facility?
A basic but all-important question. Every facility has its own atmosphere and aesthetic. Be sure that the living accommodations you choose suits your own tastes and personality. Tour the building. Observe how the staff interacts with the residents and how the residents interact with each other. Is the layout accommodating and easy to navigate? Is there ready access to public transportation and community centers? Is it secure? Is it clean and well maintained? Is the location convenient for receiving visitors? Are there amenities and recreational activities? Is the size of the facility and the room accommodation itself satisfactory? Most of all, listen to your instincts…you’ll know if a place can potentially “feel like home” someday.