Choosing where to retire is one of the most important decisions a person will make in their lifetime. With many retiring in their mid-60s and human life expectancy at the highest it’s ever been, the odds are that retirees are stuck with the retirement living option of their choice for at least a decade if not more.

“Moving is stressful at any age but it becomes much harder when you’re older,” says Gus van der Spek, developer of retirement lifestyle estate Wytham Estate in Cape Town. “To avoid this stress, some stay in a home that they’re unhappy with – an outcome that is truly devastating considering that these are meant to be the ‘Golden Years’”

“In making a decision about where to live, many retirees focus on the obvious considerations: well-trained staff, adequate healthcare facilities, comfortable rooms and affordability. These factors are important but, given the weight of this decision, it’s necessary to ‘go deeper’,” he adds.

There are certain ‘hidden factors’ that play an equally important a role in improving quality of life and possibly even extending it. It’s important to choose a retirement living option that ticks all the boxes – not just the obvious ones. Van der Spek lists these as:

Community

As people get older it is almost inevitable that their social circles will shrink. To avoid the negative physical and mental health implications of isolation, retirees should determine if the retirement living option they’re considering has measures in place to promote social interaction.

“Making new friends can be hard, even if you’re living in close proximity. Ask if your new home has regular social events and organised clubs for various interests as this makes it easier to strike up a conversation with like-minded people.”

Service delivery

With loadshedding a reality in South Africa and poor service delivery the norm in many municipalities, it’s preferable to opt for a retirement living option that has engaged private services, ensuring that these service interruptions do not affect daily life.

“Many developments have basic measures in place such as private refuse removal, but you should ask if they have back-up power options such as solar power or inverters to combat loadshedding, before making your final decision.”

Pet-friendly

This is a deciding factor for many retirees. “Luckily, many retirement communities, including Wytham Estate, now allow furry companions, such as a cat or a small dog. Having a pet as a beloved member of the family has many psychological benefits for the elderly”.

On-site accommodations for visiting family and friends

Some retirement developments offer temporary accommodation to family members in the form of on-site hotel rooms, for example.

“This is an important consideration for residents with health issues as there is research to indicate that being close to family can help improve the mental and physical health of the elderly.”

Natural light throughout

The days of settling for a dark, pokey room in a retirement home are over. “Exposure to natural light is vital for the elderly as it helps produce Vitamin D, improves circadian rhythms and sleep patterns and is proven to promote happiness.”

Gentle exercise facilities

Gentle physical activity, such as walking and hiking, gardening or doing yoga, is one of the most impactful things you can do for your health in retirement.

“Consider the on-site facilities – is there a garden you would enjoy walking in, or a yoga studio or a swimming pool? Make sure that your new home is set up so that you can continue the activities you enjoy, once you’ve moved in.”

Accessibility 

A person’s mobility can deteriorate with age, so it’s important to consider the accessibility of your retirement living option. “Multiple lifts, wheelchair ramps, shower rails and the like should be present throughout to ensure that you will still be able to get around with relative age should your mobility decline over time.”

Security

This is an important consideration in a country like South Africa where levels of crime are high. “Look out for security measures such as 24/7 guarding and access control, CCTV cameras and electric fencing.”

Additional monthly costs

Many retirees are now choosing a Life Rights model to keep down monthly costs. This is a contractual agreement, providing for the retiree to purchase the right to live in a retirement village for the remainder of their life (while the property developer retains ownership of the home). Upon death, the rights revert to the developer for resale. 

“Developers of a Life Rights village are required to produce a transparent statement declaring how levies will be calculated, as well as a two-year projection of what levies will be. This is a big help to occupants, who can plan their finances accordingly.”

Hands-on developers

No one wants to move into a sparkly new home only to see it deteriorate over the years due to poor maintenance. 

“In a Life Rights model in particular, the developers are committed to maintaining the conditions of the unit, the facilities, and the development as a whole. This is because when the Life Right terminates, ownership reverts back to them and the ongoing perceived value is directly related to the condition of the development,” explains van der Spek.

“Careful consideration of a retirement home can make all the difference,” he concludes.