Not Ready to Move? It May Be the Right Time to Start Looking

This is the first post in our Confidence to Plan Ahead series.

Plan While You Have Choices

Planning for retirement living does not have to begin with a decision to move. In fact, exploring your options early can give you time to learn, compare, ask questions, and decide what is right for you without the pressure of an immediate move.

At Westminster Village, we encourage prospective residents to begin exploring their options before they are ready to move. As a Life Plan Community, also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, or CCRC, Westminster Village provides an opportunity to plan for today while considering how future needs may change. That may include learning how a Life Care contract works and the benefits it may provide, reviewing residence choices and floor plans, understanding costs, and becoming familiar with the waitlist process.

When is it too early to start looking?

You do not need to be ready to move to begin exploring retirement communities. Starting early gives you time to compare communities, understand different contract and pricing structures, and determine what matters most to you without the pressure of an immediate decision.

The goal is not to move sooner. It is to be informed and prepared so that, when the time is right, you can make the decision with greater confidence.

Do I need to be ready to move before touring communities?

No. A tour can be an important part of the research process.

Visiting a community gives you a better sense of the environment, the residences, the people, and the overall experience in ways that brochures and websites cannot.

At Westminster Village, a visit is an opportunity to see the community firsthand, ask questions, and determine whether the lifestyle, services, and approach to Life Care align with what you want for the future.

Why do some retirement communities have waiting lists?

Demand varies by community, residence size, location, pricing, and floor plan. A community may have available residences overall while certain apartment styles have a significant wait.

Waiting lists can also give prospective residents an opportunity to establish a relationship with a community before they are ready to move.

If you are interested in a particular community, ask how its waitlist works, whether your position is tied to a specific residence type, what fees are required, whether deposits are refundable, and what happens when a residence becomes available.

Westminster Village offers a Future Resident Waitlist for individuals who are interested in the community but may not be ready to move today. Because demand can vary by floor plan, beginning the process early can provide greater flexibility when planning for a future residence.

Can I join a waiting list and stay in my current home?

Often, yes. Many communities offer waiting lists or future resident programs for people who want to plan ahead without making an immediate move.

Policies vary, so it is important to understand whether joining a waitlist creates any obligation to move, how long you have to respond when a residence becomes available, and what happens if the timing is not right.

At Westminster Village, the Future Resident Waitlist allows prospective residents to begin planning while continuing to live in their current home. It provides an opportunity to identify preferred floor plans, stay connected to the community, and prepare for a future move when the time is right.

Planning Ahead at Westminster Village

Choosing a retirement community is a significant decision and having time to make that decision can make a meaningful difference.

Westminster Village is a nonprofit Life Plan Community in Scottsdale offering independent living along with access to additional levels of care through its Life Care contract. Prospective residents are encouraged to visit, ask questions, understand the financial and health requirements, consider which type of residence may be the right fit, and learn about the Future Resident Waitlist before a move becomes necessary.

Planning ahead does not mean you have decided to move. It means giving yourself the time, information, and flexibility to make the decision on your own terms.

Please call us at 480.451.2493 to learn more or schedule a tour today!

Click here to read our second post titled ‘What Is a Type A Life Care Contract and Why Does It Matter?’