General Questions:
What is RetiringbyDesign.com?
Am I ready to move to an active adult or senior community?
What is the difference between each of the different housing options?
Is your service free to anyone looking for information on retirement and active adult and/or senior communities?
Are assisted living communities licensed? How can I check to see how they are regulated?
How do I compare nursing homes and get real information on the care they provide?
Are there any programs that provide financial assistance for senior housing?
What is RetiringbyDesign.com?
RetiringbyDesign.com is a comprehensive and -- dare we say? -- fun way to search for the right retirement community for you or your family. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to find your perfect match, whether by searching through our communities by services or geography, or using our proprietary quiz to match your personality and interests. We designed our site to help you find pertinent information, interpret specific information and compare that information in a systematic way.
To learn more about the big idea, read about us.
Am I ready to move to an active adult or senior community?
Whoa! That's kind of like asking "Who should I marry" or "Should I have children?" or "Should I put anchovies on my pizza?". The answer is different for everyone. There are no right or wrong decisions, only the best decision for you or your loved one.
No web site or single source of information can claim to provide you with the definitive answer. What we can do is provide you with the right tools and information to help you arrive, with the help of family, friends, and people who care about you, at the right choice for you. A good way to start thinking about what the decision factors and your own preferences are might be our online quiz.
What is the difference between each of the different housing options?
There are six different types of retirement housing or care which include:
Active Adult/55+ - Typically have a minimum age of 55 for residents and offer single-family homes, villas or condominiums for sale; focused on active, independent adults who wish to partake of various activities (sports and exercise, clubs, special interest groups, etc.)
Independent Living - Affords seniors the opportunity for independent living and social activities without the burden of home ownership. Typically, residency is established on a monthly rental basis. Often provides some degree of emergency response and medical assistance if needed.
Assisted Living - Senior communities which provide services such as three meals per day, assistance with bathing or dressing, and medication reminders or assistance. These communities typically require regular monthly rent, along with additional fees for specific services. Occasionally, some facilities have additional levels of medical health support to address specific needs such as dementia or Alzheimer's.
Continuing Care - Housing communities that provide different levels of care based on the needs of the residents, from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing care. Residents can move to different care areas based upon health and needs. May require a large entrance fee prior to admission and also charge monthly fees.
Nursing Homes - A residence that provides room, meals, recreational activities, help with daily living and protective supervision to residents with physical or mental impairments; certified to provide different levels of care, from custodial to skilled nursing. Typically nursing homes accept Medicare and a limited number of Medicaid residents in addition to many insurance payer types.
Memory Care Facilities - Residences that provide specialized care and support for residents with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
How do I list my community?
It's super easy. To get started click here.
What is the difference between a basic and a premium listing?
Listing your community is free. To receive targeted, pre-qualified leads of users whose preferences match your commnity, you must upgrade to a premium subscription.
Is your service free to anyone looking for information on retirement and active adult and/or senior communities?
Absolutely. Free as in zero. Nothing. Nada dinero, which in Spanish means "nothing money" and probably doesn't really make sense. But you get the idea.
Are assisted living communities licensed? How can I check to see how they are regulated?
Every state has an agency that oversees the operations of licensed assisted living communities or can get you more information. Here is a partial listing:
Are there any programs that provide financial assistance for senior housing?
Yes, there certainly are. A good place to start is the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) .
How do I compare nursing homes and get real information on the care they provide?
The medicare web site is a good place to start.
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Hi! It's me, Kristin!
That's me in the picture. Or rather an illustrated representation our technical director created of me. In real life not only am I not a cartoon, I also like to think I don't have the same vapid, empty expression. But that's just my opinion.
Anyway, I am also the founder of RetiringbyDesign.com. We developed this site as a result of the frustrations and the fear that we have seen exhibited by people searching for answers and options when considering alternatives to their existing lifestyle after retirement for either themselves or for aging parents. Perceptions of aging and retirement communities still evoke feelings of dread and images of the institutional nursing home where people have stopped living. There is so much evidence to the contrary! I see example after example of incredible people reinventing themselves in retirement, and being free to do so by moving to a community that fosters growth through new social and intellectual opportunities.
Feeling overwhelmed, or have questions you need answered? We've posted answers to some of our most frequently asked questions here. Still confused? Please don't hesitate to contact us about anything that's on your mind. We'd love to hear from you!
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