Are you considering a move to a new community that will help you make the most out of the next chapter in your life? One with the time and freedom to pursue hobbies and interests and one that doesn’t include fixing every single entrée, mowing the lawn or worrying about upkeep on the house? If you are exploring senior living communities in Bedford, Texas, there are many considerations to keep in mind, such as the type of community, services, amenities, location and more. Below, we examine some of these considerations more closely to help you with your search for a retirement community in Bedford to call home.
What is Independent Living?
Many people who have found themselves at this same crossroads in life have chosen to move into an independent living community. An independent living community is a place where healthy, active older adults live in their own space (such as home, apartment, townhome or condo) and have access to all the amenities and services the community has to offer. Independent living communities generally have age restrictions, usually over 55. This translates into an environment that caters to the needs and desires of the older adult, where you’ll be surrounded by peers and many on-site conveniences.
Because independent living communities are for active adults, most residents live alone or as a couple without the need for additional care or support. As health care needs change, many residents choose to hire private caregivers to avoid the need for relocation.
Parc Place, an independent living community in Bedford, Texas, offers a retirement lifestyle that is both stylish and distinctive. Parc Place residents enjoy a unique and active lifestyle, one that engages the mind, body and spirit.
Services and Amenities
Independent living communities offer various services and amenities. Some are included in the cost of living in the community, while others are optional and may incur an additional fee. Pricing structures vary from community to community. The services and amenities themselves can vary, as well; however, some that may be available include:
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Community activities
- Restaurant-style dining
- Club houses
- Gyms, fitness centers and/or fitness programs
- Healthcare center
- Swimming pool
- Golf course
- Computer rooms
- Game/TV room
- Movie theater
- Security
- Yard maintenance
- Beauty salon and barber shop
- Concierge services
- Transportation services
Parc Place offers a broad range of amenities and services so you can enjoy the retirement you’ve worked hard to achieve. Our calendar is filled with many educational, social and entertainment events/programs. Residents also have access to a fitness center plus many fitness and wellness programs.
Our main dining room features one-of-a-kind ambiance, unsurpassed service and delicious chef-prepared entrées served in a restaurant-style environment. All food is prepared with seasonal, locally grown produce and fresh ingredients.
Determine which amenities and services are important to you and then locate an independent living community that best meets your needs and desires. And don’t forget about your four-legged companion. Parc Place understands the importance pets play in people’s lives and welcomes your furry friend to come and enjoy your new home with you. We even have a dog park, affectionately referred to as “Wiggley Field.”
Climate
Climate often plays a role in some people’s decision when considering where to retire. Bedford, Texas, climate has much to offer retirees. After all, the average temperature in Bedford, TX, is 64.8 degrees. Texas also averages 235 sunny days per year compared to Arizona’s (the state with the highest number of sunny days) 286 and Florida’s 237. The average length of the warm season (freeze-free period of days) in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is 249 days. All these warm days give Parc Place residents ample opportunities to enjoy the garden, putting green and pool and spa area.
Local Activities
Although many independent living communities offer a calendar filled with activities, as an active older adult you may also choose to venture outside the community. If having activities and venues beyond those offered at the community is important to you, check out what is available in the city and surrounding areas where the independent living community is located. Some activities and venues that might interest you may include:
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Hiking and biking trails
- Botanical gardens
- Sporting events, including major and minor league teams
- Concert venues
- Senior centers
- Local clubs dedicated to your hobbies and interests
Parc Place is located in the very heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. This means you’ll have access to activities throughout Dallas and Fort Worth and many other cities in between including Bedford.
Now that you have more time on your hands, maybe you’d also be interested in volunteer work. Larger cities have more types of volunteer activities, which means more choices and opportunities to find something that really interests you. VolunteerMatch, which lists more than 850 opportunities in or near Bedford, TX, such as delivering Teddy Bears to hospice patients, mentoring kids at the YMCA, after school tutoring, helping a Girl Scout troop or being a Crisis Counselor. Other volunteer opportunities can always be found at local hospitals, animal shelters and numerous charitable organizations.
Hospitals and Specialists
Having nearby hospitals may be something you want to consider, especially if you have a health condition that may require immediate care. If you or your spouse are currently dealing with or have dealt with cancer, having oncologists and oncology hospitals nearby may be important. If you experience chronic pain, having a local pain management specialist is important. As you consider your current health needs and possible future needs, are hospitals and the specialists you need nearby and easily accessible to the independent living community?
For Parc Place residents, the nearest major hospital is Texas Health Harris Methodist, but many other hospitals are located throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Bedford also has a large rehabilitation hospital, Encompass Health, which treats a wide range of conditions including neurological disorders, arthritis, oncology, joint replacement, hip fracture, cardiac care, stroke and more.
Transportation
As you get older, you may find yourself not wanting to drive as much as you once did. This means that having access to transportation is vitally important. Most independent living communities offer some scheduled transportation but may not be at times needed or as frequently as one would like. Taking this into consideration, you might want to check into what other modes of transportation are available. Are buses, subways or trains conveniently located to the community?
Some transportation services for Bedford residents include:
- The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) provides bus, vanpool and Trinity Railway Express rail services
- Catholic Charities Transportation Program provides rides to eligible clients for employment, medical, education and quality of life trips
- Northeast Transportation Service (NETS) offers door-to-door transportation services to those who are disabled or those who are 65 or older for $3.25 per one-way trip. NETS may be used for medical appointments, socialization, employment, essential shopping and education purposes
- For those who want to work, HEB Transit provides work-related transportation to Hurst/Euless/Bedford residents
- Volunteers provide transportation services to routine medical appointments and quality of life drives for Mid-Cities Care Corps for older adults 65 and older and for those 60+ with a disability
Airports
Now that you have retired, you may be ready to do a little bit of traveling, or you want it to be easy for family and friends to come for a visit. This means that a nearby airport is important to you. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has several in the area including DFW International Airport, one of the world’s largest, and Love Field.
Independent Living at Parc Place
Parc Place offers an exceptional living experience for the active older adult, giving you the opportunity to live life on your own terms. Our on-site services and amenities provide everything you need for the life you have always dreamed about … one filled with social and learning opportunities, relaxation and so much more. To learn more about life at Parc Place, contact us today. We’ll be happy to discuss what Parc Place has to offer, what Bedford has to offer and any other questions you may have about retirement living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
