Knock, knock? Who’s there? A thoughtful approach to where we will live during our Golden Years, that’s who!
Part of making a workable Grand Plan is aligning our visions of senior living with reality. That involves getting educated on the costs, scope and affordability of these aspirations. Whatever your vision of living includes, implementing it successfully requires careful research, frank conversations and an openness to preparation that suit your unique situation.
The National Council on Aging has assembled a wonderful online resource on senior living communities and the varying nature of their scope, cost and offerings. It suggests there are five primary options in this housing realm including independent living communities, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, and in-home care. These experts bring up another key point that should factor into our research: “As older adults’ needs increase, they may require a move from one type of community to another.”
As part of your residential planning research it may also serve you to explore the costs and opportunities of downsized living in a smaller single-level home, a garden home, a townhome community, apartment or condominium tower. One of the biggest challenges to happiness during the senior experience, experts say, is loneliness and lack of community. Dwellings that provide more manageable space and daily access others could be just the ticket!
If you like this idea, make sure you explore home healthcare costs as a line item. Understanding these figures could make or break your decision. According to the care website, A Place for Mom, the national median cost of home care is $30 an hour. Include other aging-in-place costs too, such as: one-time home modifications for accessibility, ongoing utility expenses, property taxes, home maintenance, and healthcare services.
The lesson here is to know your options when it comes to housing arrangements. Luckily, there are lots of options out there. The bottom line? A workable Grand Plan includes aligning your beautiful vision of the Golden Years with the cost realities, being an expert on your options and communicating these plans with your loved ones. These are the fundamentals of a home, sweet senior home!
