Part II – Soul Searching with Risks & Values - Warwick Woodlands a Moravian Manor Community located in Lancaster County, PA

Part II – Soul Searching with Risks & Values

Homework. Let’s face it, you may have not liked doing it in school, or even as an adult to aid in making decisions for children or yourself. As much of a nuisance it may be, doing your homework always pays off.

While you may feel you’re not ready for retirement, it’s never too soon to at least begin the homework that will reveal what you really desire for your retirement lifestyle. Before we highlight the discussion points on Risks & Values, the second installment in our Formula for Success series, let’s revisit the tried and true formula for success:

Risks & Values + Health + Finances = Your Best Option

If you follow these steps in respective order, you’ll avoid wasting time and energy as well as counteract the feelings of confusion and frustration you may face when simply jumping into the middle of all your choices. When you finish all your homework step by step, your best option will naturally reveal itself.

Risks & Values

Also called “internal research” or the soul searching phase of the formula for success, this first step will help you define what’s most important to you and with what are you comfortable. While you may want to skip this step and start with the financial component, this phase can lead to wonderfully rich conversations that are a gift to the entire family.

The following are questions you and your spouse need to ask yourselves; the answers to these questions will form the foundation for your decision. You’ll be truly astonished at what you discover after an exploration of your Risks & Values.

How many times do you want to move?

Moving at any age is extremely stressful…physically, mentally, and emotionally. That stress may include excitement, joy, relief, anticipation, and more. But the older we are the more challenging the process will be and more responsibility will fall on family members to handle the physical aspects of the move. So ask yourself, “How many more times do I want to do this?” “Am I better off positioning myself for whatever the future holds?” Look at age and health factors when contemplating this question.

How much space do you actually need?

Take a serious look at how much space you really use. Then ask what happens to the rest of the space. Usually it’s a collection place for “stuff.” Making a lifestyle change can be a right-sizing or downsizing process. Space also is a very personal consideration. Reflect on how much space you really need, and what is more important for you to do with that space. When considering a move to an independent living retirement community, look at the common spaces available that function as an extension of your home, such as a private dining room, business center, and library. You do not need to recreate all these spaces in your home if they already exist in the community.

Is home maintenance causing worry or stress?

Think back over the last several years at the time, energy and money you’ve spent trying to maintain your home. Is it becoming more bothersome, a point of stress, eating up valuable time and energy in your life? Now look at what needs to be maintained or improved within the next five years…new roof, painting, heating and air conditioning, gutters, windows. At what point is it no longer worth trying to keep up? When is it time to simplify or unload what has become a burden?

Would you prefer to make a lifestyle transition by yourself or do it as a couple while you are able?

Many couples will discuss the likelihood that something will happen to one of them before the other. Do they want to make a move together? That way if something happens to one of them, the other isn’t left with the house and the “stuff,” trying to manage the transition alone. Or do they prefer to stay where they are and simply cross that bridge when/if they come to it? It is best when the couple and the rest of the family can agree on a course of action. The lifelong patterns of the marriage and communication will play a significant part when grappling with this question. We’ve covered numbers 1-4 of the Risk & Values questions you need to ask yourself. In upcoming articles, we’ll continue to explore Risks & Values that will help round out the soul searching phase of Your Formula for Success.

Don’t Want to Wait for the Next Articles?

If you’re ready to learn more now, a residency counselor at Warwick Woodlands is available to answer any questions you have. Unique to Warwick Woodlands, our goal is to educate mature adults on their choices and teach them about the formula for success through complimentary educational sessions. We also have a free booklet entitled, “Your Formula for Success: A Practical Guide for Making Your Senior Housing Decision,” written by senior living expert Randalynn Kaye.

Warwick Woodlands, a Moravian Manor community, will be built on 72-acres of a former landscape nursery within walking distance of downtown Lititz’s pubs, park, and shops. Based on a traditional neighborhood design—a newer trend in senior living and the first of its kind in the Lancaster area, the community will cater to individual’s age 58+ who want to plan ahead for the unforeseen while embracing a vital, active lifestyle now. It’s designed specifically to bring together people, businesses and the energy of small town living.

Dine & Discover Events

The Dine and Discover events will continue to be offered each month at the Warwick Woodlands new Sales Center, starting with the first one on July 16. If you’re not available for this date, additional information, including the free booklet, can be obtained by calling 717-625-6000.

Check back often for additional articles coming soon to learn more about Your Formula for Success!

This article was submitted by Nicole Michael, Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing at Moravian Manor, Inc. For more information call 717-625-6000.

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