Nearing, or In Retirement

Location, location, location

San Antonio and its surrounding communities offer the best of all possible worlds: cultural offerings, tourist attractions and all the golf you can shake a putter at. Plus, retirees with interests in everything from aviation to zoology have found plenty of opportunities to explore, learn and be part of the community including square dancing, walking, computer clubs, painting, dancing, yoga, reading clubs, quilting, cooking classes, and volunteer opportunities.

And let’s not forget the warm weather. Which brings us to the fact that sports is often an integral part of senior’s daily life. Golf and swimming are probably “top of the list,” with tennis a short lob away. And apart from sports, playing cards is something that holds a special place in a senior’s daily life.

Essentially, all the amenities that make San Antonio a top tourist destination make it a top retirement option as well. It also ensures that transplants to the area will have no problem keeping their guest bedroom full. After all, what grandkid doesn’t want to visit Fiesta Texas and the River Walk.

San Antonio appeals to all age groups. We have theme parks, museums and lots of things to do. Of course, many of San Antonio’s seniors are longtime denizens and just get to know a different side of their hometown when they retire.

Newcomers to the city can learn more about San Antonio through the efforts of RSVP, the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, a non-profit organization that works to connect retirees with local entities seeking volunteers. There is a chapter of RSVP in San Antonio as well as in outlying communities. The San Antonio chapter can be reached at 210-222-0301.

Retirement Communities

Most Americans retire on their own or in a family home, but if a retirement community is the answer, San Antonio and surrounding cities have a wide variety of residential environments offering independent living, assisted living, nursing care, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care if needed. And many have been operational for decades.

In addition to asking obvious questions such as “how much does it cost, what services are available, can I still keep my pet or car,” retirees should comparison shop, if possible, for an atmosphere that appeals to them and a location that allows them to accomplish their health care, recreational and other goals. All facilities offer tours and many will be happy to extend an invitation to meet some of their residents.

The Medicare website, www.medicare.gov includes detailed evaluations of area retirement communities and nursing homes. Find them by city. The Area Agency on Aging offers links to several retirement community rating systems through their website at www.aacog.com Bexar-Area-Agency-on-Aging covers staffing, cleanliness, nutrition, care for special problems such as diabetes, and many other important criteria. Another good source of information for long term care is the Office of Human Services Long Term Care. They may be reached by calling 800-458-9858 and they have information on adult day care, assisted living, home health agencies, group homes for mentally impaired residents, and nursing homes.