Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Retirement and Active Adult Living |
After making the decision to live in a retirement community, how do you select the right facility that meets your needs? First ask your friends and your doctor for recommendations. In addition, consult the relocation directory on the left hand side of homepage.
Living options may be apartments, townhomes or rooms requiring little or no maintenance. Experts suggest that whichever type of housing is preferred, it’s important to see available apartments and, if they have don’t have an availability or do not have the type of facility requested, find out about getting on the waiting list and also determine the length of the expected wait. When visiting and interviewing at retirement communities, shop around. Make several visits at different times.
Services offered can vary depending on the type and cost of the facility. In independent living communities, seniors are responsible for their own finances, transportation, meals and health care. Recreational activities are usually offered, maid service may be provided, some meals may be provided in a common room, and the facility may offer transportation to physicians or shopping. People interested in this type of facility should be healthy, able to communicate with independent health care professionals without the help of on-site staff and must desire an active community environment.
It’s important that a facility under consideration be close to your services, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, grocery stores and favorite shopping places. Identify what amenities are important to you, such as an onsite beauty shop, a store in which to buy items before you can get to a store, transportation for doctor appointments, shopping, cultural events, church and social outings. Review the facility’s activity calendar to see what it offers and ask the marketing director or the activity director about programs. Don’t hesitate to ask other residents how long they have lived in the community and how they would rate it.
Due to the wide array of choice available to Dallas-Fort Worth seniors, retirement communities are very competitive, which is a plus for consumers because they can shop around to ensure the right one matches their lifestyle.
Before making a selection, review this checklist:
ENJOYING LIFE AFTER 55
There are many advantages for seniors who live in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The year-round temperate climate provides opportunities for many outdoor activities, such as swimming, hiking, walking and golfing. As the third largest airport in the world in 2008 in terms of passenger activity, DFW Airport is served by 20 international and domestic airlines and offers nonstop service to more than 173 worldwide destinations. For newcomers, it doesn’t take long to make friends and share interests. There are many opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of the region, including organized visits to museums, local theater and concert venues. If volunteering is of interest to you, there are plenty of organizations that are interested in your participation, and there are agencies to help you find a job.
LOCAL RESOURCES
One important agency that has been serving the senior community for more than 45 years is the Senior Source (www.theseniorsource.org). Among its primary goals is to provide help to caregivers of aging loved ones, offer financial management services and consultations, assist with job search and employment opportunities, advocate for nursing home residents and educate the community on issues affecting older adults. The Senior Source also hosts a rich line up of events including support groups, job-search seminars and networking tips.
The Southwest Fort Worth Chapter of AARP (www.swfwaarp.org) is active in promoting a healthy image of aging by demonstrating vitality, creativity and leadership in community involvement. It provides information about health care, economic security, consumer protection and other key issues through a variety of programs and speakers. The chapter maintains a strong relationship with Tarrant County College and the college’s Senior Education program, which encourages continued learning for mental, physical and social stimulation. Participants can enjoy extended trips and outings to Texas and U.S. locations
The Texas Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) provides classes on exercise programs, aquatics and Tai Chi that are held at many facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department (www.dallasparks.org) offers senior wellness programs such as a mature adults club, ongoing aerobics, walking and fitness and senior exercise classes.
The Community Council on Greater Dallas publishes the Aging Information Office Directory of Services & Caregiver's Guide. It’s a free specialized directory of services and family caregiver guide for seniors and includes listings for more than 300 governmental nonprofit and private agencies and programs that provide services for senior citizens in Dallas County.
Living options may be apartments, townhomes or rooms requiring little or no maintenance. Experts suggest that whichever type of housing is preferred, it’s important to see available apartments and, if they have don’t have an availability or do not have the type of facility requested, find out about getting on the waiting list and also determine the length of the expected wait. When visiting and interviewing at retirement communities, shop around. Make several visits at different times.
Services offered can vary depending on the type and cost of the facility. In independent living communities, seniors are responsible for their own finances, transportation, meals and health care. Recreational activities are usually offered, maid service may be provided, some meals may be provided in a common room, and the facility may offer transportation to physicians or shopping. People interested in this type of facility should be healthy, able to communicate with independent health care professionals without the help of on-site staff and must desire an active community environment.
It’s important that a facility under consideration be close to your services, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, grocery stores and favorite shopping places. Identify what amenities are important to you, such as an onsite beauty shop, a store in which to buy items before you can get to a store, transportation for doctor appointments, shopping, cultural events, church and social outings. Review the facility’s activity calendar to see what it offers and ask the marketing director or the activity director about programs. Don’t hesitate to ask other residents how long they have lived in the community and how they would rate it.
Due to the wide array of choice available to Dallas-Fort Worth seniors, retirement communities are very competitive, which is a plus for consumers because they can shop around to ensure the right one matches their lifestyle.
Before making a selection, review this checklist:
- Word-of-mouth referrals from friends, relatives or professional contacts are important.
- Once a community is selected, visit the location several times at different times of the day.
- Ask the managing directors how long they have been in operation and who owns them.
- Find out about the activities and services offered, including:
– Beauty shop
– Pool
– Pool
– Spa
– Activity Calendar offerings
– Activity Calendar offerings
ENJOYING LIFE AFTER 55
There are many advantages for seniors who live in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The year-round temperate climate provides opportunities for many outdoor activities, such as swimming, hiking, walking and golfing. As the third largest airport in the world in 2008 in terms of passenger activity, DFW Airport is served by 20 international and domestic airlines and offers nonstop service to more than 173 worldwide destinations. For newcomers, it doesn’t take long to make friends and share interests. There are many opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of the region, including organized visits to museums, local theater and concert venues. If volunteering is of interest to you, there are plenty of organizations that are interested in your participation, and there are agencies to help you find a job.
LOCAL RESOURCES
One important agency that has been serving the senior community for more than 45 years is the Senior Source (www.theseniorsource.org). Among its primary goals is to provide help to caregivers of aging loved ones, offer financial management services and consultations, assist with job search and employment opportunities, advocate for nursing home residents and educate the community on issues affecting older adults. The Senior Source also hosts a rich line up of events including support groups, job-search seminars and networking tips.
The Southwest Fort Worth Chapter of AARP (www.swfwaarp.org) is active in promoting a healthy image of aging by demonstrating vitality, creativity and leadership in community involvement. It provides information about health care, economic security, consumer protection and other key issues through a variety of programs and speakers. The chapter maintains a strong relationship with Tarrant County College and the college’s Senior Education program, which encourages continued learning for mental, physical and social stimulation. Participants can enjoy extended trips and outings to Texas and U.S. locations
The Texas Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) provides classes on exercise programs, aquatics and Tai Chi that are held at many facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department (www.dallasparks.org) offers senior wellness programs such as a mature adults club, ongoing aerobics, walking and fitness and senior exercise classes.
The Community Council on Greater Dallas publishes the Aging Information Office Directory of Services & Caregiver's Guide. It’s a free specialized directory of services and family caregiver guide for seniors and includes listings for more than 300 governmental nonprofit and private agencies and programs that provide services for senior citizens in Dallas County.
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