How to Decide if a Life Plan Community is Right for You

Sep 15, 2021 | Finance & Planning, Life At Sunset, Senior Living

Picking a place to retire and live your senior years can be a hard decision to make. Many people often sell the homes where they raised their children and move into a smaller place, like a condominium, because it offers a more relaxed living environment with minimal yard work and maintenance. But, what if you could move into a condominium that offered those perks as well as 24/7 access to health care services, planned social activities and outings, multiple dining options, nature paths to walk, pool and fitness facilities, and more?

A Life Plan Community is a senior living community that offers multiple levels of living and health care services, depending on a resident’s need. Most, like Sunset, offer Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and In-Home Health Care. When a person chooses to live in a Life Plan Community, a customized life plan is created to ensure their physical and mental needs are met. And, because Sunset is a Christian-based community, they also ensure a resident’s spiritual needs are met. Sunset’s Life Plans do not follow a rigid course, but are flexible to adapt to a resident’s changing needs.

Freedom to Live Your Life As You Want

Choosing to live in a Life Plan Community does not mean you’re giving up your freedom or independence. Quite the opposite actually! Independent Living communities include luxury apartments and/or condominiums that are owned by the residents who are free to come and go as they please. Many Independent Living residents at Sunset still work outside their home, winter in Florida, take long European vacations, host family parties, etc. 

Residents in a Life Plan Community usually have lived and worked in the surrounding area because that is where their social network and activities can be found. This gives them the freedom to continue with all of the hobbies and events they were a part of before moving, without having to change that part of their lives.

Get Involved at Your Comfort Level

While residents may have active lives outside of their new home, many Life Plan Communities have planned social activities and organized outings to keep everyone involved and help people get to know each other. Residents can choose to be as involved or not involved as they’d like and to pursue their hobbies of choice. Some activities include woodworking, water aerobics, bingo, choir, dominoes, pool, and so much more. And, some of the planned outings include trips to the local botanical gardens, zoo, art galleries, festivals, the beach…the list is endless!

Healthcare As You Need It

One of the major benefits of living in a Life Plan Community is the continuum of care. Many communities offer onsite healthcare clinics and provide 24/7 emergency call buttons in each home. This is to give you peace of mind knowing that if anything were to happen, help is just a button push away. And, because of the Life Plan, you can be secure in the knowledge that any future healthcare needs will be well-taken care of and your living situation adapted as needed.

Figuring Out the Financing

Understanding how to plan and budget for retirement living can be challenging. Especially since different associations and communities offer different price structures and amenities. And, while you research your options, it is important to keep in mind that price does not reflect quality!

To help with the search, we put together a senior living guide called “Navigating the Financial Aspects of Senior Living” that can help you understand the different costs associated with retirement and decide which type of community is best suited for your needs. Click here to get the guide.

Take a Tour

Life Plan Communities are not a good fit for everyone. But, don’t let any preconceived notions keep you from exploring all your retirement living options. The staff at Sunset Senior Communities is available to help you figure out what works best for you and your loved ones in the next stage of life. Please contact us with any questions you may have or schedule a tour to visit our Life Plan Communities and see what they are really like in person!