3 Viable Options for Senior Living

Seniors today are living long and relatively healthy lives. This means that more and more people over the age of 65 have time to enjoy retirement. But aging does bring with it some limitations for many individuals. Because of this, it makes sense to determine where you will live in your golden years. While there are numerous options, we’ll take a look at three of the most common: living at home, moving into a smaller property, and relocating to a senior-oriented community. But before that, make sure to visit TBSS (The Best Senior Services) — the authoritative resource for senior services!

Enhance your current living space

Perhaps the most desirable option is to stay home. And for many seniors, this is a great choice. If you’re thinking of sticking to where you are, perform a thorough evaluation of the property to determine whether it will continue to be safe and comfortable. Remember that as you age, your mobility and vision can change. One of the first places to assess is the stairs. FineHomebuilding’s Michael Maines explains that your stairs’ rise and run determines how comfortable it is to ascend and descend each step. Anything too far outside of code’s standards can increase your risk of falling.

Check the flooring throughout the house. If it is uneven, wrinkled or slick, it may be time to replace unsafe surfaces with vinyl tile, carpet with a lower pile, or other sturdy surfaces. Similarly, lighting plays a role in your overall safety, so plan to install both ambient and spotlighting throughout. In addition to in-home modifications, you can also maintain an aging-in-place lifestyle by hiring professional in-home care staff.

Of course, senior-friendly home modifications could take up a big chunk of your retirement nest egg. You do, however, have funding options. For instance, if you served in the military, you could be a prime candidate for VA IRRRL refinancing. Also known as a ‘streamline’ loan, this is a way to refinance your current loan or mortgage so you can lower your interest rate and save money, which translates to more funds to create the supportive and accessible home that you need at this stage in your life.

Move into an accessible home

While you are looking at your home, you may decide that it will be too expensive to stay. If this is the case, it’s time to begin looking for a home already set up with seniors in mind. Plan to purchase a property with accessible features. This might include a ramp at the doorway, lower cabinets, and a large bathroom with a walk-in tub or shower.

Spend some time researching your local housing market before you make the decision to sell your current home. Learn what the median sales price is in Owasso — up 1.4% from last year. You’ll also be able to locate information on the average down payment you can expect.

Having all of this data at your fingertips can help you best calculate the costs of maintenance or renovations. And don’t forget to include room in your budget for the actual move. Hiring professional movers is much safer than trying to do it on your own, or even with help from family.

Enter into assisted living

Assisted living communities are designed for seniors who need help with day-to-day activities. In an assisted living center, you won’t have to worry about cooking, transportation, or security. Further, you have access to a vast range of recreational activities. Perhaps most importantly, you will be amongst friends and will always have someone nearby when you get bored or lonely.

Assisted living may not be the least expensive option, however. While the cost of buying a new home or renovating your current home can be easily calculated based on the market and condition of the property, the cost of assisted living varies widely. Your monthly fees can range, on average, anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. If you want to live in a luxurious setting, you can expect a much higher price tag.

The choice on where to live in your senior years is one that only you can make. While you, of course, have the option of staying where you are without making any changes or moving in with family, it pays to prioritize your safety today and in the future.

by:

Harry Cline

New Care Giver (newcaregiver.org)