Busting the myths about retirement communities
Six common myths about retirement communities that are easily busted.
There are certain times in life when the commentary from others can get very loud and drown out the voices that matter most, making it difficult to make the decision that’s best for you. Take planning for the future. Mention you’re thinking of moving into a retirement village and you’ll likely be met with a list of myths about the risks of losing your independence and being surrounded by the very elderly and the very frail. But take a look at the vibrant, architecturally designed Met life care village sand the people who live there, and you’ll find those myths simply don’t reflect reality. Moving is a big decision at any stage of life, but the ultimate goal remains the same – finding a place to be you.
Here are six common myths about retirement communities that are easily busted: 1. They’re only for the very elderly – you’re not ready yet: There are many reasons people choose to move into a retirement community, but one of the most common is a desire to keep living busy, fulfilling lives without the stress and time constraints involved with maintaining a house and property. The peace of mind of knowing your future needs are taken care of is an added bonus. Retirement villages are very different from nursing homes where people need full-time care. They’re vibrant, lively communities where you can live in comfort and security, while living some of your best years yet. 2. They’re ugly, institutional and all look the same: Metlifecare has a wide range of villages with very happy residents, but that’s where the similarity ends. The design, layout and amenities of each one is unique, with each one appealing for different reasons. So whether you’re a beach person or a city person, want to swim in a pool every day, to garden or be handy to golf, you’ll find one that suits you.
3. They’ll cripple you financially: One of the great aspects about living in a retirement village is that there are no financial surprises – the fee structure of your Occupational Rights Agreement and Weekly Village Fee is very clear from the beginning. Your village fee is fixed for life with Meltlifecare, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected cost increases. Many people find that with expenses like rates and external maintenance taken out of the equation, they save on monthly living expenses. Of course, you are encouraged to get your own legal and financial advice. 4. They’ll isolate you from your current life: Moving into a Metlifecare village is about adding to your life – not taking away from it. It’s your home which means friends and family are welcome to come and stay (pets get to move in too), and of course you can maintain the ties you already have with your community and keep attending any groups you belong to. You can keep seeing the same doctor and maintain any other support services you use. If you love to travel, you can do so with the freedom of knowing someone is clearing your letterbox and keeping everything secure, giving you peace of mind while you are away. 5. There’s nothing to do apart from forced “old people’s”
activities: Finding the right retirement village is about finding a place to be you – and that means doing the things that interest you, when you feel like it. Metlifecare villages offer a wide range of facilities such as pools, cafes, gardens and gyms, and group activities range from regular pastimes such as dance classes and movie viewings to more niche interests based on the residents’ hobbies – at Metlifecare there’s a world-class Japanese blow darts club! There’s always someone to talk to if you feel like having a chat, but you’re always in charge of your own time. Take part in as much or as little as you feel like. On the other hand, if you decide to move to a village in a new area, you’ll find a ready-made community happy to welcome you aboard and help you get the best out of village life.
6. They’ll never feel like home: Independent living means the space is yours to fill with your own furniture and treasures. Some people like to arrange things in the same way they were at their previous home, others see moving as a time to splurge on new furniture. Some prefer to stay in a house or villa, others like to try apartment-style living. If there’s a particular colour palette you need to make you feel settled you can pay for your apartment to be redecorated to your own taste, in cooperation with the village manager. If home means a garden for you, check out the villa gardens, take advantage of communal gardening and vege plot options or garden in pots on your new deck.