With three military installations in San Antonio, you’ll find many active retirees enjoying life here. It attracts many others as well thanks to a compelling package of amenities. Most importantly is its location, which is part of the beautiful Hill Country. Within easy access to San Antonio, there are many quaint communities including Boerne, New Braunfels and Canyon Lake that offer affordable living options with scenic views and plenty of activities.

In 2008, SmartMoney magazine ranked San Antonio as one of the best places to retire, especially during a down economy. Earlier this year, San Antonio was ranked as the strongest metropolitan area in the country for economic performance, according to the Brookings Institution. Over time, the region has expanded beyond its reliance on tourism and the military to include high-growth industries, such as health care, biotech, education, business and IT services. Companies are moving to the area thanks to the state’s pro-business attitude and the absence of state taxes. In addition, the area’s real estate market did not feel the effects of sub-prime lending defaults as in other U.S. cities. The current median price of an existing single family home is $152,200 and newcomers can also expect to find a wide variety of retirement living options.

Other factors important to seniors include access to quality health care, which is plentiful in San Antonio. The region supports the South Texas Medical Center that is home to San Antonio’s finest medical facilities. Continuing education is readily available throughout the region with a choice of five community colleges and a range of private and public universities from which to choose. If traveling is a priority, you’ll be pleased to know that the San Antonio International Airport handles 260 daily domestic and international departures and arrivals. Its central location also makes it convenient to most neighborhoods.

Staying active is a major priority for retirees and San Antonio, with its moderate year-round temperatures, fits the bill perfectly. For golf lovers, there are more than 40 courses and practice greens, and two Tournament Players Club courses opened on January 22, 2010. San Antonio hosts a PGA tour event and the 50-and-older Champions Tour AT&T championship. Parks and green spaces are plentiful for walking, biking and hiking and for those who enjoy water sports, there are many lakes and rivers.

For newcomers, it doesn’t take long to make friends and share interests. There are many opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of the region, including organized visits to museums, local theater and concert venues. If volunteering is of interest to you, there are plenty of organizations that are interested in your participation, and there are agencies to help you find a job. With so many tourist attractions in the city and nearby, there is always something fun (and oftentimes free) to do in the Alamo City.

Local Senior Resources
To support the needs of an aging population, there are local and specialized resources, including AARP. Anyone who is over 50 can join, and you don’t have to be retired. The organization offers many services and opportunities for community involvement, including volunteering. You can learn more by visiting the national website at www.aarp.org.

Serving the needs of San Antonio’s 50 and older population, OASIS has been part of the community for more than 17 years. Members participate in a variety of challenging programs that enrich the mind, renew past interests and develop new talents. Classes range from arts and humanities to consumer interest, fitness and health. You can also volunteer your services where you can share your skills, help others in the aging community and tutor children who are learning to read. Learn more at www.oasisnet.org or by calling (210) 647-2546.

55Plus is a free program from Methodist Healthcare System (www.mhshealth.com) that provides benefits for people over 55, including free exercise classes, health screenings, CPR, free physician referral, social activities and educational programs. If the need arises, you’re also entitled to a 10 percent discount at the Methodist Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy at time of discharge, complimentary guests meal (one coupon to use per day per family), complimentary transportation for inpatient admissions, homemaker services after inpatient discharge from a Methodist Healthcare System facility and other services. Call (210) 575-0355 to learn more.

Nix Health Care Foundation sponsors Nix Senior Gold. Designed in partnership with physicians, it is a senior health and wellness program for adults from age 55. Benefits of the program include health care discounts, discounts in the Nix cafeteria and with Nix valet parking, hospitalization benefits, preventive health services, and educational and informative programs. Referrals for physicians and specialized services are also available. Visit the website at www.nixhealth.com/SeniorGold or call (210) 579-3157.

The University Health System – Bob Ross Senior Health Center offers healthcare community resources to seniors including health screenings and disease self-management classes. The center offers free health screenings including blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI)/weight, glucose (blood sugar), cholesterol, glaucoma and hearing. Classes offered include salsa caliente, smoking cessation, fitness, water aerobics, fall prevention and CPR. Seniors can also participate at health fairs that are periodically available. The Bob Ross Senior Health Center is also a “one-stop” clearinghouse for senior services and information and is owned and operated by the city of San Antonio and Bexar County. The 24,000 square-foot center hosts comprehensive services to seniors 60+, focusing on case management, health and wellness, education, exercise, social and cultural activities and volunteer opportunities. In San Antonio, the center is located at 2219 Babcock, (210) 207-5332.

The city of San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department – Programs for Seniors Programming are offered at three facilities: Commander’s House, Lion’s Field Adult and Senior Citizen’s Center and Granados Adult and Senior Activity Center. Visit www.sanantonio.gov/sapar/seniors.asp to learn more.

Alamo Area Agency on Aging provides aging services directly or through others for congregate, home delivered meals, transportation, information and referral, benefits counseling, ombudsman and care coordination services. Visit www.alamoaging.org or call (210) 362-5200.

Housing Options
For many retirees, housing is the most important concern. For those living independently, single-family homes are available and affordable. Throughout the region, seniors can select retirement communities, age-restricted homes within master planned communities, neighborhood homes near the city center or vertical living options available throughout the area.

Beyond single-family homes and condos, there are a number of lifestyle choices depending on the person’s physical condition and the level of care required to live comfortably. In San Antonio, the housing options for seniors run the gamut from assisted living facilities to Alzheimer care facilities to resort-style neighborhoods. These communities offer seniors a wide array of amenities such as golf courses, community centers and fitness facilities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities
These housing communities have different levels of care based on your needs. For people living independently, you’ll find individual apartments or homes for residents who live on their own. You’ll also find an assisted living facility for people who need some help with daily care and a nursing home for those who require higher levels of care. Residents move from one level of care to another based on their needs but still stay in the CCRC.

If you are considering a CCRC, be sure to check the record of its nursing home. Your CCRC contract usually requires you to use the CCRC nursing home if you need this level of care. Many of the questions that you might want to ask about these communities are the same as those to consider when choosing a nursing home. CCRCs generally charge a large payment before you move in (called an entry fee) and then charge monthly fees. You can find out if a CCRC is accredited and get advice on selecting this type of long-term care community from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities at www.carf.org. You can also get more information about continuing care retirement communities from the Administration on Aging (AoA) at www.aog.org and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) at www.aahsa.org.

Questions you should ask before selecting a CCCR center:

• Who owns or sponsors the community?
• Who manages it?
• How long has it been open?
• Are there other communities owned by the same entity?
• What is the community’s mission statement or operating philosophy?
• Is the CCRC accredited?
• What kinds of contracts are offered?
• Is any portion of the entrance fee refundable?
• What services, amenities and health care services are included in the monthly fee or as part of the entrance fee?
• How are monthly fee increases calculated?
• What are the apartment sizes available and what are the differences in costs?
• What is the occupancy record of the community?
• Can I visit and have a meal and talk to residents?
• What kinds of health care services do you offer?
• Do you provide those or are they provided by an outside third party?
• What are the meal and dining policies, hours, number of meals and type of meal service available?
• Is housekeeping and laundry included? If I want extra services are they available and how much do they cost?
• Do you provide maintenance services?
• Do you have an exercise or wellness programs?
• What are the activities and social programs?
• Are there educational opportunities?
• Do you offer religious services?
• Are there opportunities to volunteer in the area?

Assisted Living
This group living arrangement provides help with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing and using the bathroom, taking medicine and getting to appointments as needed. Residents often live in their own room or apartment within a building or group of buildings and have some or all of their meals together. Social and recreational activities are usually provided. Some assisted living facilities have health services on site. Costs for assisted living facilities can vary widely depending on the size of the living areas, services provided, type of help needed and where the building is located. Residents usually pay monthly rent and then pay additional fees for services they receive. Resources that may be helpful include the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) at www.alfa.org and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) at www.ncal.org.

Services and activities provided or arranged for in assisted living residences generally include:

• 24-hour supervision.
• Three meals a day in a group dining room.
• A range of services that promote the quality of life and independence of the individual such as:
• Personal care services (help with bathing and dressing).
• Medication management or assistance with self-administration of medicine.
• Social services.
• Supervision and assistance for persons with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and disabilities.
• Recreational and spiritual activities.
• Exercise and wellness programs.
• Laundry and linen service.
• Housekeeping and maintenance.
• Arrangements for transportation.

Nursing Homes
These facilities provide care to people who can’t be cared for at home or in the community. Nursing homes provide a wide range of personal care and health services. For most people, this care generally is to assist people with support services such as dressing, bathing and using the bathroom, for people who can’t take care of themselves due to physical, emotional or mental problems. Some nursing homes may provide skilled care after an injury or hospital stay. Medicare pays for skilled nursing facility care for a limited period of time if you meet certain conditions. The cost for nursing homes can vary depending on where you live and what type of care you need. To find out information on accreditation of nursing homes in your area, look at the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations’ (JCAHO) website at www.jointcommission.org.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a nursing home and questions to ask:

• Is the nursing home accepting new residents?
• Is the nursing home easy to visit for family and friends?
• Does the nursing home use hospitals where my doctor practices?
• Does the nursing home have the services I need?
• Does the nursing home have a variety of activities I might enjoy?
• Do residents appear clean and well groomed?
• Do the residents have the same staff on a daily basis?
• Is there enough staff available to assist residents?
• Does the staff respond quickly to residents’ calls for help?
• Does the nursing home have an active resident and/or family council?
• Is the nursing home clean and pleasant?
• Is the nursing home certified by Medicare and Medicaid?
• Are the nursing home and current administrator licensed?
• How much is the cost of care in this nursing home?
• What services are included in this price?
•  What additional costs will I have to pay?

Ask to see the nursing home’s last annual state inspection report. Did the report find any problems? Ask how the problems were fixed.

Selecting a Community
In order to best match a senior’s needs with his preferences, there are numerous factors to weigh in making a decision about care.

• Long term versus temporary care: An older person may go to a nursing home for rehab following a surgery or stroke, then return home. In other circumstances, a senior’s needs are better served by planning a move into a situation that is likely to remain the same for the many years to come.
• Independence: Can the senior live alone, and more importantly, does he/she want to? Or would living in a more service-oriented environment be more nurturing?
• Privacy: If the senior’s desire for privacy is important, independent living, assisted living or a Continuing Care Retirement Community would be preferable to a nursing home.
• Needs for personal care: How much and what kinds of personal or “custodial care” are needed or desired? There are online needs assessment questionnaires to help determine this and then match the care needs with the right type of housing.
• Needs for medical care: If the senior has a chronic illness that necessitates special medical care, or ongoing services of medical professionals, independent living and even assisted living may not be suitable.
• Costs: Learn about the financial aspects of senior housing to determine what options are affordable for you. Certain options may be unaffordable, such as Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

State Resources Related to Seniors
Adult Protective Services (APS) Facility Investigations – APS investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities that care for adults including: private homes, adult foster homes (with 3 or fewer consumers), unlicensed room and board, state facilities and community centers that provide mental health and mental retardation services, home health agency staff, exploitation in nursing homes when the alleged perpetrator is someone outside the facility. Abuse Hotline for APS Facility Investigations: 1-800-647-7418

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) – Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, private ICF/MR, adult day care. For complaints (reports of abuse), call 800-458-9858 and Nursing Home Information: 800-252-8016

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) – Hospitals, psychiatric hospitals (including private psychiatric facilities), and various other medical facilities. Complaints: 888-973-0022

Texas Council on Family Violence, Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233