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Finding a retirement home is easy. New developments are springing up every day across the nation to meet the wants and needs of a growing retired population that is living longer, healthier, more active, and independent lifestyles. Finding the right retirement home, however, requires a good deal of thought and a little prognostication on your part. The ideal retirement home for you is the one that not only meets your present needs, but one that will accommodate your needs well into the future. Changing homes is stressful at any stage of life and our ability to cope doesn't improve with age. Assessing your needs today, anticipating how your needs will change as you age, and understanding your available options for retirement living, will help you make the right choice.

And, what wonderful choices you have today! Developers of retirement housing are fiercely competing for your business, which has forced them to become quite innovative in offering more and better retirement living options than ever before. Gone are the days of the one-size-fits-all philosophy of simply building comfortable and secure housing or warehousing for senior citizens in their decline. Developers are, instead, creating complete retirement lifestyles that are tailor-made to cater to the diverse interests and needs of adults at varying levels of activity and independence throughout their retirement years.

Retirement living communities fall into four general categories:

* Active/Independent Living Housing units are typically detached homes, duplex, and multiplex condominiums, for purchase or rent. Generally these are gated communities or secure buildings and most have covenants setting a minimum age of residents at 55 or older. The lifestyle is active recreation and social interaction with other residents. Amenities may include golf course(s), tennis courts, swimming pools, spas, workout gyms, and community centers. This is Country Club style living for the physically active and completely independent retiree. There are little (if any) services or accommodations provided for seniors who become ill, disabled, or require assistance.

* Assisted Living These residential facilities are often clustered cottages or apartment-style dwelling units for seniors requiring some assistance with daily living activities due to impaired mental or physical health. They typically provide housekeeping and laundry, meals, personal care services, limited medical assistance, and a full schedule of low-impact activities.

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