Where you choose to live as you age is an important decision that can affect your health, safety, finances, and quality of life. A senior housing placement organization, Where You Live Matters, offers the following tips for deciding on your senior living options, whether it is a retirement community or choosing to age in place in your own home.
Consideration #1: Be proactive. Don’t wait until a crisis arises that forces a decision without knowing what would work best for you in the long run. Start researching and thinking about your options well in advance.
Consideration #2: Socialization. Isolation and loneliness can become a health risk for some seniors as they age. Does your current level of interaction with friends and family satisfy your access to companionship and social activities? As you age, will you continue to have access to the same level of socialization, or will things change if you become less mobile or key members of your social circle move or pass away? Many people have well established friendships, volunteer activities, and other supportive networks in their longtime neighborhoods, and they may also have nearby family. If these factors are not ideal, senior housing communities are designed to include easy access to social events and wide-ranging activities.
Consideration #3: Emergency situations. Do you feel safe in your home and neighborhood? Do you have friends or family that can quickly reach you if an urgent need arises? While anyone should call 9-1-1 in an emergency, some urgent needs, such as power outages or medication issues, may be best solved by having close-by family or friends who can reach you quickly. If not, living in a community with built-in backups can ensure peace of mind for you and your family.
Consideration #4: Home maintenance, yard work and repair. If you stay in your current home, you will be faced with ongoing maintenance and inevitable repairs. As seniors grow older, they may no longer have the ability or desire to perform basic maintenance or want the cost of paying outside contractors to do the work. Even enjoyable outdoor hobbies such as gardening may become overwhelming as we grow older. Move into senior housing, and these ongoing responsibilities become a thing of the past.
Consideration #5: Aging-in-place modifications. If your home is not “age-in-place” friendly, consider the cost of such items as zero-step and wheelchair friendly entries, widened hallways, walk-in showers and other such age-friendly designs. Consider a home remodel that will allow you to live on one level if it becomes necessary. “Comfort height” toilets, reinforced grab bars, cabinets designed for easy reach, and lever handles throughout the house — they are easier to open than turning a knob — and using hard surfaces or low-pile carpet for flooring. Improved lighting and eliminating safety hazards are also top considerations.
Consideration #6: Transportation. It’s difficult to think of a time in the future when driving may no longer be an option. At that point, you will be relying on public transportation, rides from friends and family, or taxi and Uber to get to the grocery store, medical appointments, errands, and social outings. Some senior living communities include regularly scheduled transportation to grocery stores and other frequent destinations, and may also help with arrangements for getting to your medical appointments.
Consideration #7: In-Home Care. At a certain point, older adults may need help with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, managing medications, getting your meals together. Some older adults rely on their family to take care of them, which can become a significant time and emotional burden. Or seniors hire in-home care on an hourly basis to come in daily or several times a week. According to CareScout, in-home care costs $33 or more per hour and becomes a significant financial commitment. Finding and screening for the right caregiver can be burdensome and stressful.
Assisted Living: Moving into senior housing that offers assisted living (or moving to a continuing care community), represents significant financial commitment. Community representatives can help you understand the costs vs. benefits, which, in addition to socialization and built-in activities, can include meals, transportation, and in-home care built into the costs. Making such a crucial decision is best served when you have everything in writing: know for certain what is included; just as importantly, know what is not included and how much it costs to add services. Before you sign anything, get everything in writing and have it reviewed by an elder law attorney and/or a financial planner who is familiar with senior living issues.
The article concludes: “Take your time. Think through the questions … because where you live really does matter. When it’s time to talk things over with your family, you’ll be ready to make a thoughtful decision – and the right choice for you. And remember. It’s not just about floorplans and amenities — it’s about atmosphere, connection, purpose and belonging. Studies show that seniors who feel socially connected and engaged in their communities experience lower rates of depression, better cognitive health and even longer lifespans. When visiting a senior living community, pay attention to whether residents seem happy, active, and genuinely connected — because those everyday moments of friendship and purpose matter just as much as the services offered.”
If considering moving into senior housing, visit several communities and do your homework.
To read the full article (which is provided by the American Senior Housing Association), visit the following link: https://www.whereyoulivematters.org/resources/at-home-senior-living-vs-community-life
