Beliefnet
2016-12-28

Belief can be one of life’s great sources of comfort and strength, especially during a transitional time like moving to a retirement community. If you’re considering a move and faith is important to you, take the time to seek out the most supportive community you can find. The effort will be repaid in the short-term, as you adjust to your new community and over the long run by fulfilling your spiritual needs. Here are four simple, but important steps to take:

Whether they’re the fellow congregants you see at services or a far-flung group you commune with online, ask if they know of retirement communities that serve your faith. If they live in such a community or have friends or relatives in one, that’s even better, because you can collect firsthand information about lifestyle and care quality. Your congregation’s administrative staff or your local diocese or synod may have information as well.

A simple Google search for “Catholic senior living Chicago” or “Jewish senior living New York” will return communities you can contact for detailed information.

SeniorAdvisor.com is an online directory with reviews and ratings for over 100,000 senior care providers nationwide. The site lets you search by city or by keyword to find relevant communities, and the SeniorAdvisor.com blog archive offers overviews of religious senior living choices in large U.S. cities such as Minneapolis, New York, San Diego, and Dallas.

If you live in a major city and belong to a Christian or Jewish tradition, odds are you’ll find at least one community that fits your needs. If that’s not the case for you, remember that many communities offer interdenominational services or even a variety of different religious services to suit the needs of their residents. For example, many Protestant assisted living communities also offer Catholic services, and vice versa, and most faith-based homes are open to residents of all faiths. When you visit the homes you’re considering, be sure to ask:

● Which spiritual services are offered? For example, are there daily Masses, weekly Shabbat meals, Bible study groups, etc.?

● Is there a worship center, chapel, or meditation room on site?

● Does the community have a chaplain who is well-versed in different faiths? Can you meet with him or her?

● Does the community offer transportation to area houses of worship? If so, which ones?

● If you require kosher, halal, or vegetarian meals, can those be provided?

● Are there special observances for particular holidays, such as post-sunset dinners during Ramadan?

● If you’re religious tradition prohibits you from being cared for by attendants of the opposite gender, can the staff meet your needs?

The answers to these questions will give you a sense of how well your own religious needs would be supported if you move in. An in-person tour will let you know if you’ll feel comfortable and included in that environment. If you’re not satisfied with what you find, you can keep looking or try to create a customized experience.

If choices are limited in your area, it’s time to flex your networking and collaboration skills. As an example, there’s only one major Hindu retirement community in the U.S. right now, but you might be able to find a nearby community with a respectful and inclusive attitude, a quiet chapel for meditation, vegetarian menu options, and Hindu chaplaincy services. Find out if the communities you’re considering are willing to work with other local service providers, such as local clergy or religious groups who can educate community staff and management on how best to support members of your faith.


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