Have you decided to pursue an enriched retirement life in an independent living community? You know the advantages and benefits and what is most important to you. It might be the opportunities to avoid social isolation, have an accessible home or find it easier to meet and make new friends.
Or perhaps you’re tired of planning and preparing meals every day and would love the luxury of dining out but with the convenience of nearby choices. And don’t overlook the activities or joy in renewing the passion of old hobbies.
How to find your perfect match can be much easier using a checklist for independent living. Whatever you may be looking for, you’ll discover there is a community waiting to meet your preferences and needs.
A checklist for independent living
A good, old-fashioned checklist is one of the most efficient ways to list the important features – and compare communities to discover the best fit.
We’ve broken down our lists into several segments. Feel free to add any preferences of your own.
A checklist to decide if you’re ready for independent living
The purpose of this type of checklist for independent living is to bring focus to the many responsibilities you have likely been shouldering for years – especially if you are a homeowner.
Take a look at the ones we’ve listed below and mark each task you’d like to keep or let go to create your highest quality retirement life.
| Responsibility | Keep It | Let It Go |
| Meal planning and preparation | ||
| Grocery shopping | ||
| Housekeeping | ||
| Yardwork and landscaping | ||
| Household repairs and maintenance | ||
| Daytime driving | ||
| Nighttime driving | ||
| Searching for entertainment opportunities | ||
| Discovering activity options | ||
| Finding and joining a gym or fitness center |
Download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living.
A checklist for independent living: Defining your priorities
The following checklist for independent living can help you define preferred features and compare different communities. When completed, you should be able to see if a community offers what you need to make it home.
Community Ambience
__ Welcoming environment upon arrival
__ Friendliness and warmth of staff and residents
__ Common areas for residents to gather and socialize
Type of Homes Available
__ Apartment, cottage, or studio options
__ Size and layout of living spaces
__ Availability of a private patio or balcony
__ Size of kitchen and appliances
Safety Features
__ Emergency response systems
__ Grab bars in the bathroom
__ Non-slip flooring
__ Adequate lighting both indoors and in common areas
Dining Options and Meals
__ Quality and variety of food
__ Dietary options or special accommodations
__ Multiple dining venues
__ Dining venue ambiance
Transportation
__ Availability of community transportation
__ Regularity of transportation services
__ Destinations covered (shopping, appointments, etc.)
Recreational Activities
__ Variety and frequency of activities offered
__ Quality of recreational facilities
__ Opportunities for social interaction
__ Availability of group trips or excursions
Health and Wellness
__ On-site fitness center or gym
__ Availability of wellness programs or classes
Other Amenities
__ Availability of laundry services or facilities
__ Internet access and connectivity
__ Library or reading room
__ Beauty or barber services on-site
Staff Interaction
__ Friendliness and professionalism
__ Staff to resident ratio
__ Continuity and retention of staff members
Policies and Regulations
__ Pet policies
__ Guest policies – visiting hours and overnight stays
__ Contract terms and conditions
Cost
__ Monthly fees and any other costs
__ Understanding of what the fees cover
__ Deposit and refund policies
A checklist for independent living at Prairie City Landing
We invite you to visit our community, Prairie City Landing, and see for yourself how well we match up with your own personal checklist for independent living.
Prairie City Landing is different by design. We value the possibilities a community can offer to provide the foundation of a life well-lived.
One area where we differ greatly from other communities is our assisted living services that are delivered to residents in their apartments – so they don’t need to move into a different community when a helping hand is needed.
Take a look at a few other areas where we stand out with our personal checklist for independent living – the Prairie City Landing way.
- Try our better balance fitness classes or stretch with yoga
- Join your neighbors and friends at happy hour twice a week
- Take a bus trip to the theater or other entertainment venues
- Gather with your friends for lunch in the café
- Invite your family to an outdoor BBQ
- Host a holiday get together in your home or a meeting of your book club
- Enjoy live jazz in our courtyard
- Join friends for a movie on-site
- Meet your neighbors for a drink before dinner
- Enjoy a walk on our dedicated pathways
- Try your hand at gardening in our amazing outdoor spaces
Discover Life at Tenfold’s Prairie City Landing
We created Prairie City Landing to support our residents to live their best lives possible. Our community’s design, residences, activities and amenities are all focused on helping to connect, engage and create an enriched life.
If you’re searching for senior living that is different from the rest, we hope you will consider Tenfold’s Prairie City Landing. We invite you to download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living. Contact us to speak to an advisor, or schedule your tour of Prairie City Landing today to experience senior living and our community for yourself.
