Maris Grove’s integrated health care system, Erickson HealthSM, provides an advantage most communities don’t have: full-time physicians and medical professionals. Erickson Health physicians use Centricity, an advanced electronic medical records system. Such life-saving technology is still not available in most doctors’ offices.
Could your area face a retirement crunch?
With Americans wanting and expecting more from their retirement, demand for options like Maris Grove could soon exceed supply. Over the next several years, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the number of people of retirement age living in the U.S. will double to 72 million. That means one in every five Americans will be 65 or older.
As one of the nation’s fastest- growing retirement markets, Delaware County could be particularly hard hit. An aging population could lead to a shortage of local retirement options. With communities like Maris Grove growing in popularity and drawing an ever-greater number of people, older adults who wait even a few years to start researching their options may find themselves forced to retire farther from home.
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Which retirement destination is right for you?
Not everybody dreams of sun and sand when they dream about their ideal retirement. Whether you’re planning to relocate across the country or stay within state lines, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has several tips to help you narrow down your search:
Neighborhood
• Demographics: Are you looking for a vibrant city neighborhood or a quiet rural town where everyone says “hello”? Be sure to research the population of an area as well as the businesses there before you move. The U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts site gives you the most recent information.
• Sense of Community: To get a sense of the community, read all the brochures, check out message boards, and pick up a copy of the local paper.
• Safety: The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program releases annual data on crimes for nearly every jurisdiction in the country. Local police can provide more up-to-date statistics.
Mind, Body, Soul
• Health Care: Are there top-quality, well-regarded health care facilities close by?
• Continuing Education: Retirement is the perfect time to renew old interests or pursuer new ones. What opportunities are available?
• Religion and Spirituality: Will you have opportunities to continue your worship? Beliefnet, an Internet site, provides links to worship locators for all major forms of Christianity and Judaism.
Getting Around
• Local Transportation: Will you need to get in the car every time you have to run and errand or take a trip? What is the availability of reliable, local transportation?
• International Transportation: Retirement is the ideal time to travel. Is your destination close to major airports?
Out and About
• Culture and Entertainment: Look beyond movie theaters when considering your destination. How close are museums, symphony orchestras, or community theaters?
• Recreation: Will you have an opportunity to pursue your favorite outdoor and indoor activities, like biking, swimming, or hiking?
• Food: You probably won’t want to cook every night, so check out local dining options.
Compiled from aarpmagazine.org.