Senior Housing Issues and Concerns

Helping a parent move to senior housing can seem more intimidating
than orchestrating a rocket launch. The death of a spouse, declining health or
safety concerns can trigger the need to move. The first phase comes with the
realization that what has been home is no longer suitable. Emotional ties to a
place are hard to overcome. Finding a new home that is appealing and
appropriate is no easy task, and neither is culling through a lifetime’s
accumulation of “stuff.”

Here are some tips to help make the transition easier:

·        
Plan ahead. Don’t wait for
a health crisis to start the process. The smoothest transitions occur when the
person moving is in the driver’s seat.

·        
Get a full assessment of
the current situation. Physical care needs and financial resources are where to
start. Consider the costs of staying in place, including renovation and ongoing
maintenance. Add the cost of rising utility bills and taxes, and don’t forget
transportation and food. Make a list and decide whether it’s cheaper to stay or
move to a community designed for seniors.

·        
Take a multi-phase
approach. Seniors often take longer than a year to actually make the move.

·        
Fully explore new housing
options. Senior living offers a broader range of options than ever before.

A
recent article in The
Star-Telegram lists a number of senior housing options and resources. You
also may want to check out, SNAPforSeniors™,
an online search directory that is akin to the Multiple Listing Service for
senior housing. The SNAPforSeniors™
database includes more than 60,000 licensed senior housing facilities in the country
and is publicly available at no charge at www.snapforseniors.com.

Then, go to
our website for information that help
you and your loved ones regarding their long term goals.

For
our Newsletter please contact us at Newsletter
.