Tips for Navigating Senior Living Options
Everyone knows that aging is inevitable, and often there comes a time when we all must face the reality that maybe we need more help. Whether it’s moving to a smaller home or seeking out daily assistance, senior adults can have a lot of overwhelming decisions to make when it comes to their living arrangements and quality of life.
Different Housing Options
There are numerous options these days for seniors adjusting their living arrangements in retirement. You can look at relocating to a smaller house, renovate your old home, or even look to assisted living. With so many choices it can be confusing to find the right one.
Aging in Place When it comes to thinking about the future and whether to stay put, most people have no intention of leaving their homes. After all, they spent most of their adult lives there, invested hard-earned money into the place, so why should they move? However, if they want to stay, the question isn’t if they can, it’s if they should. Can they handle regular maintenance and upkeep? Can they maneuver easily throughout the home? Can they accomplish daily living without assistance? If the answer is yes, then perhaps renovating the home is the best option.
Independence is important for those choosing to stay at home. And often, it’s much cheaper to renovate an old home with a handful of modifications.
Assisted Living
On the other hand, choosing to remain at home may not always be the best financial option, especially since caregiving costs can start to add up. If you find that you regularly need assistance but want to retain some independence, assisted living could be the better solution. Not only do assisted living communities offer a variety of amenities and care options, but they also provide the opportunity for socialization.
Assisted living tends to carry a lot of stigma for seniors, and many equate assisted living with a nursing home, though they are not the same. But don’t take our word for it; go check out a handful of communities. Talk to the staff and residents, visit during mealtime, ask about social and physical opportunities as well as transportation. Best of all, these facilities come in a variety of price points. A Place for Mom notes that communities in Honolulu range in cost from $2,995 to $9,900. With so many choices available, you’re bound to find one that’s a great fit and that ensures you can maintain your independence.
Things to Think About
As you contemplate assisted living, consider your needs now and then extrapolate on what you will need in the future. It’s also important to consider how you’ll handle the home you’re in and whether you’ll plan to sell it or gift it to your children.
If you plan to sell your home to cover the costs of assisted living, you’ll need to know details on the housing market in your area, particularly average home prices (for example, average sale prices in Honolulu are around $543K). As you prepare to list your home, there are also updates, cleaning and other necessary chores that must be handled in order to sell a home. Your realtor should be able to walk you through the entire process. Remember that if the selling process feels overwhelming, you can reach out to family or friends to assist you; this is a big transition and you can always use extra help.
Settling on the optimal living arrangements as you age is a big decision and one that you should keep at the forefront of your mind even if you are the picture of health. Knowing your options and being informed on the different aspects can go a long way toward helping you put the puzzle pieces together.
Harry Cline | info@newcaregiver.org
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