As America’s population ages, there is an increased need for finding suitable housing solutions for seniors. If you’re considering your living options as you move further into your golden years, then there are a few things you will need to consider.
Staying in Your Home
A high percentage of seniors would love to stay in their own homes instead of moving into a senior care facility. If this applies to you, then you’ll likely need to make safety modifications to your home to ensure that you can stay secure and comfortable. This would include ensuring that doorways are at least 36 inches wide, installing sensor-type faucets in the kitchen, ensuring that light switches are no more than 24 inches from the ground, and installing grab bars in the restrooms. There are also benefits to making use of smart home automation tools that would adjust lighting and temperature throughout the home.
Modifications can be costly, and as such, it’s best for you to start planning early so you can find the right professional to assist with the remodel and make the changes gradually. You can also look into ways of funding the remodels you need to make.
Moving to a Senior Accessible Home
This option would allow you to still live independently, but you wouldn’t have the stress of enduring renovations to your current home. Recent information shows there aren’t enough senior accessible houses on the market, and when there are houses available, they tend to be more expensive than other houses. It’s highly advisable that you work with a real estate agent who is also qualified as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). These specialists have undergone the right training to help you find the home that is best suited to your immediate and future needs. As you’re looking at homes, think about what you need to look for. These include flat floor plans, lowered countertops in the kitchen, and walk-in showers or tubs. Also, check out the neighborhood to make sure places like shopping areas are nearby.
Moving to an Assisted Living Facility
If you would like to maintain some level of independence during your golden years but have been having trouble with daily activities such as dressing yourself, making meals, and remember to take your medications, then an assisted living facility may be right for you. These facilities are also helpful if you are experiencing very early signs of dementia or illness that would prevent you from being completely independent. On top of that, you won’t have to worry about driving yourself or finding transportation anymore.
While there are definite benefits to living in an assisted living facility, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons that Senior Path discusses to see if it will be the right choice for you. For example, while you no longer have to maintain a home, assisted living facilities can also come at a significant cost. Also, because the facility doesn’t have 24-hour medical staff on the grounds, it will not be a good fit for you if your Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis is expected to progress or if you develop a medical condition that requires continuous medical care. In that case, you may need to look into finding a nursing home that fits your needs.
Deciding where to live as you age can be a major decision for anyone, so it’s important that you have all the information necessary to make the right choice. With each option, make sure you’re thinking about both your short-term and long-term needs.
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