golden years

Finding the right home for your senior years

By Shayla M. Sharp

After retirement, many individuals choose to stay in their current home. After all, their grandchildren can visit and there really is no need. This can be a good choice that fits their current state of health and lifestyle. But what happens when this changes? As people go through their golden years, many lifestyle changes occur. An increasingly elderly person will face health issues, loss of spouse, distancing from family as they move away to live their own lives, and occasionally financial difficulty. These issues both in combination and individually can cause a person to consider moving to a new home. The question is how to decide if its right for you and whether a particular property is best.

The American Seniors Housing Association, in a study a year ago, found that seniors 75 and older have quite a bit of equity in their homes. This is due to the fact that most of them have lived in their current house for 24 years on average. Seventy-five percent of seniors outright owned their homes. However, if that house is no longer accessible due to health issues or is too hard to upkeep due to size, then the owner needs to consider other options.

Independent Housing

Not everyone's health is such that they need full-time health assistance. Many seniors live active healthy lives and are perfectly happy and capable of living on their own. These individuals may find that they only need a few adaptations to continue their independence. Perhaps a recent hip injury or arthritis gives the individual difficulty with stairs. Or, perhaps, they wish to downsize now that all the children are gone and the grandchildren are older. Whatever the reason, there are some key things to look for in a new property whether you look for retirement communities, independent-living facilities or houses in other neighborhoods.

Mobility within the new house is vital to a successful independence. Older housing was built to a different standard with more narrow doors and hallways--often too narrow for movement with a walker or wheelchair. Newer housing must be built to be ADA compliant with doorways 32-36 inches wide and hallways 36-42 inches in width. You may have to request that door handles be switched to lever-type handles. Entry ramps and safety handrails in key places may be necessary. A professional realtor can help you negotiate these items into the purchase of any property.

Location is also important. Many seniors move to be closer to their families so that they can visit with grandchildren. Not only is proximity to their own family important, but should that young growing family need to move, a senior needs to be able to either enjoy where they are at or easily resell in order to move to a new location. Some seniors have the desire to live near other individuals within their same age category. This allows them to enjoy group activities and form new friendships with others who have similar backgrounds and experiences.

Security and maintenance are other important concerns. Everyone wants to feel safe where they live, but the senior-aged individual may be feeling especially vulnerable knowing that their physical strength has diminished and senses such as hearing and sight have weakened. Neighborhoods with low crime rates and homes with easy-to-use security features are a priority. A senior should also be able to have their property kept up in good working and good looking order. Perhaps there is a senior retirement community that provides an on-staff maintenance person, or is there a reliable and safe service that they can contract with. A quality realtor will address your concerns and help you find the solutions you need to have peace of mind.

Assisted Living

"The 65-and-over population is projected to double over the next three decades, according to the National Council on Aging. The national average age at which someone moves into some type of senior housing is 83 years." (The Seattle Times)

This move is usually dictated by medical necessity. Often, at this point, grown children are brought into the decision as well. This can be difficult for all parties as it means the loss of independence for the individual moving in and the acknowledgement of a parent's frailty and movement closer to death. However, clear thinking and careful planning are needed. Carefully go over any contracts, if needed retain the services of an attorney, to make sure that key services are guaranteed. Services that any quality facility should offer are 24-hour medical care by qualified personnel, nutritious meals served in a timely manner and with variety, activities of interest, transportation to local stores and off-site activities such as concerts, rooms that accomodate the health of the individual (some have small kitchenette areas for those who occasionally want to cook or bake), regular maintenance of the room including cleaning and linen changes, and a friendly helpful staff. Be sure and do background checks on the intended facility including talking to current residents, staff and community members (believe me, any dirt is usually well known). Does the facility uphold its contracts and give top-quality service? After a service is contracted, be sure and check up on their activities as a change in staff or ownership can greatly effect the quality of life for those living there.

There are many quality assisted-living facilities out there and there are many that are nothing more than scam jobs. The key is to thoroughly investigate prior to a senior moving in and then to regularly visit and contact the senior to discover if any issues have come up. If there is a problem, be prepared to respond--even if it means removing the senior from the facility immediately. Then contact the proper authorities. If you are the relative of a senior about to go into assisted living, assure them that you will not abandon them once they are in and make sure that you follow-up on your promise with regular visits and phonecalls. Be aware that this can be a very scary and lonely time for a senior as they put their care and health in the hands of strangers. Holidays can be especially lonely. If you are a senior considering a move to assisted-living facilities, take the time you need to decide if this is right for you. These facilities are expensive and you will be one of many living there. Does the facility offer what you want--and do they live up to their marketing? How will you pay for the services. Talk with family members, but remember, you are the one living there. If you do decide to move in, be active with the other seniors in the facility and take the time to go on the provided off-site activities. Keep in regular contact with family and friends and do not ever be afraid to say that there is a problem. If you do not have family or support, keep the numbers to legal council and senior support groups on hand.

 

 

Article first published at NWAbode.com in August 2009.

Shayla M. Sharp, owner of White Dragon Studios and freelance writer, enjoys design in all its aspects whether she's designing jewelry or trying to get two-year olds to hold stilll for a portrait. She lives in Oregon with her best pal Stars, a border collie mix, where she plants vegetables and flowers for him to run over.