5 Tips for Changing Your Plan to Age in Place | Choosing a Senior Living Community
Most people would prefer to “age in place” at home, surrounded by familiar comforts.
And why wouldn’t you want this as your first choice? After all, most of your adult life is spent essentially “aging in place.” It’s particularly easy to decide aging in place is for you when you’re healthy, mobile and live near family. Even if your health starts to change or deteriorate slightly, it probably doesn’t seem too hard to plan for in-home care through family or a professional service – if it even comes to that. However, as attractive as it is to age in place, there are many reasons you might find yourself rethinking your plan.
If you’re living alone, physical health changes can be a major factor in your decision. As much as we may want to fight it, our bodies weaken with age. One day everything is normal, then the next day it seems exhausting to carry several bags of groceries inside. It’s even harder to adapt to these changes when they come on suddenly, like in the case of an illness or chronic condition.
Changing health needs aside, the cost of creating and maintaining a safe home can be a limitation. There’s more to consider than just outsourcing labor-intensive home projects. Everyday tasks like taking out the garbage can start to be a burden, especially during winter when sidewalks and driveways are coated with snow and ice. Eventually, you may need to make modifications to stay in your home. While these can be as simple as adding grab bars in the shower, some can be time-consuming and pricey, like installing a lift or installing amenities like bathrooms on the main floor.
Whatever the reason, if you’re rethinking your plan to age in place, it’s important to evaluate your options and make a plan that works for both the short- and long-term.
1. Talk to family members
Friends and family are important advisors in our decision-making throughout life. If you’re looking at making a big move, your loved ones may be eager to step in and help, especially if it affects how often they will be able to visit. You will also want to consider whether you want to sell your home immediately or if a family member can help manage the property for some time. When moving day comes, a strong support system will go a long way in easing the transition.
2. Create a timeline
Avoid making a rushed decision. You’ll want to assess your finances, especially if you hadn’t planned for changing expenses when you first retired. In addition to asking your loved ones, speak with a doctor about how urgent it is to relocate, especially if you live in a region with a harsh winter. When preparing to downsize, the best approach is to start now, eliminate room by room and consider legacy gifts early.
3. Research available services
Start considering what activities you need assistance with, and what activities you may need assistance with in the long-term. While you may not need services for personal care right now, it’s worth considering whether you may want access to them in 10 years. Continuum of care retirement communities offer short-term care in the case of an illness or injury, and while you may never need to use these services, it’s important to know how different communities accommodate those needs.
4. Consider different living options
When deciding between independent living and assisted living, start to consider your main reasons for choosing senior living in the first place. If you’re primarily seeking more peace of mind, an independent community is a great fit, but if you’ll need some assistance with activities of daily living or personal care, an assisted living community will be a better choice.
5. Don’t procrastinate
Waiting too long to create or follow a new plan can force our loved ones to make a very hard decision for us. Waiting until the last minute or having to choose in light of an emergency can be detrimental for financial planning and allocating the right resources — Did your retirement planning cover what would happen if your plans changed? Give yourself more time, more options and more peace of mind by starting the appropriate conversations early on and taking more time to find a community with the services and amenities you need now – and in the future.
