With the emphasis on HOME, it is important that you choose the retirement home that suits you. A little care and attention to detail at this point in time can avoid disappointment at a later date. By doing your homework and creating a short list of homes that can offer the retirement lifestyle that you desire, you can then check out other details like their retirement home agreement, health support, personal care and perhaps most important; retirement home fees.

First of all, and to create the short list that I mentioned earlier, you have to come to a figure of what you can afford to pay. Then maybe check out the vicinity of the home, if it's in an area where you think you would be happy to live, then add it to your list.

Once you have your short list you should now consider the finer details. A good idea would be to make a list of services and amenities that you are looking for and give each retirement home on your short list a value, like a points system on a scale of 1 - 10, then you could total the points up and review the results as the home on your list with the highest total points being the best one to suit your needs.

Visit every home on your list and get a general feeling for the place.

Decide if the staff are friendly and caring. Are the medical staff properly qualified and registered, is there a dietician and are they also qualified? Mingle with other residents of the retirement home and ask questions about the amenities and generally get to know them, after all these are the people who will be part of your retirement lifestyle on a daily basis if this becomes the home that you choose.

Find out how the home is being managed, check out the retirement home agreement and find out what rights you have once you are a resident, ask the other residents about the owners and in conversation, ask discreetly if there are any problems that you should know about. Do a tour of the neighbourhood and local amenities, is there a convenient shopping center, hospitals, leisure facilities.

Before moving in, re-check the finances, find out if there are any costs over and above the initial fees, ask if food and medical costs are included. Go through the legal issues involved with the retirement home agreement and if all is good, THEN GO FOR IT!

The main thing is that you feel comfortable in your new home and if you do your research and homework, follow your heart and feelings, there' no reason why you shouldn't.