Retired life brings with it changes in your needs and requirements in terms of your place of living. It is important to be able to live in surroundings where you feel safe and well cared for and where you are not overburdened financially. Give early consideration to the form of living accommodation that suits you best – ideally you would already have moved there and settled in if your state of health deteriorates.

Here are a few suggestions on how to enjoy a good quality of life after your retirement:

Living close to your family

This solution is conceivable if you get on well with your family. However, talk to your family first to find out whether they are willing to give you the care you need and how this could be arranged.

Housing for the elderly

Housing for the elderly offers you the possibility of having your own apartment surrounded by people in the same situation in life. These types of apartments exist for different standards of living. Some are even available at budget prices. They are generally built and furnished to meet the needs of the elderly. They are constructed beside other apartments to form an elderly community. Sometimes they are also close to retirement homes or nursing homes.

Retirement home

In a retirement home, you have everything under one roof - your own room, communal rooms for meeting other residents, opportunities to do jobs and leisure time activities among other things. You can plan you day and have visitors whenever you wish. If you feel unwell, you are surrounded by people with the skills to help you. You pay a flat-rate amount per day for the services that you avail based on your circumstances. If you only have limited funds at your disposal, you can apply to the AHV/IV for supplementary benefits.

There are also retirement homes with special facilities for people in particular circumstances, such as supervised residential groups or retirement homes for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Communal housing for the elderly

This type of housing is conceivable for groups of two or more - it is imperative that they enjoy contact and are tolerant of others. They share an apartment or a whole house with other elderly people. Every member has his or her own room while the kitchen and living room are used communally. Day-to-day life in the shared accommodation is planned as a group. Some of these shared homes have wardens.

Family care

This form of living for the elderly originated in the USA. Elderly people who are unable to live alone or no longer wish to do so are assigned to an outside family. They take part in the day-to-day life of the family to the extent that they wish to. They receive any nursing care that is required. Under normal circumstances, one of the members of the family has a basic understanding of how to care for senior citizens and is paid to do this.

Moving abroad

Perhaps you would like to move to the milder climates of southern Europe after you retire. That as a possibility is an expensive one. Many aspects need to be researched carefully such as contact options, command of the language, insurance, care and nursing services on offer and lots more. Get detailed advice from organisations, which specialise in helping people move abroad.

Further Information

Pro Senectute

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ETH publication: „Neues Wohnen in der zweiten Lebenshälfte“