After you retire, you want to enjoy your golden years to the max. Choosing a senior home care option that suits your physical and emotional needs will allow you to make the most of this time. Most adults settle for one of three options: staying in their existing home and undertaking renovations to make it more senior-friendly; moving to a smaller and more accessible house; or transitioning to an assisted living facility. How can you decide which choice is right for you? Find out how to weigh your options below.
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Assess your physical needs
As people age, they experience a natural decrease in muscle tone (a condition known as sarcopenia). This can make household chores like mowing the lawn or vacuuming more challenging. If you are having difficulty with such tasks, an assisted living facility may be your best option because chores like cooking and cleaning will be taken care of for you. You also benefit from a built-in community that will encourage you to socialize. Staying social helps seniors stay mentally fit and can even delay the onset of dementia.
If you are still comfortable living independently, then you might opt to stay in your current home. Think of your future physical needs, however. For your safety and comfort, renovations may be needed, but can your home accommodate them? This AARP list of common renovations for seniors will give you an idea of what home improvements you might want to undertake down the line, from widening doorways to allow for wheelchairs to installing a walk-in shower that eliminates the need to step over a high ledge.
If you aren’t confident that your current property can accommodate such changes, you may opt to downsize to a smaller, more senior-friendly house. A one-story model that eliminates the need to climb stairs is ideal. Check out this article for other characteristics to look for when choosing a home for aging in place. It mentions aspects such as pull-out or pull-down shelving and open floor plans, which are easier for those with walkers or wheelchairs to navigate.
Evaluate your financial situation
Regardless of which of the options above you choose, some financial investment will be needed. If you sell your home and move to an assisted living facility, you have to pay monthly fees (the cost of assisted living averages $4,070 a month in California). If you stay in your current home, you have to undertake the cost of renovations. If you buy a brand new house, you have to make a down payment, usually of at least 20 percent although smaller amounts are possible, to secure a loan for the property. Make sure you have the financial means needed to support your preferred option.
If you want to sell your house and move to assisted living or another property, you can get an online estimate of your home’s worth. You can also review current listings in different cities and neighborhoods (homes in Atascadero have sold for a median price of $592,000 over the last 30 days). Look at homes similar to yours in your neighborhood. Would the money from a sale be enough to sustain your assisted living expenses or to cover the cost of a new property?
Consider passion as well as practicality
Last but not least, take a moment to assess your values and figure out what senior home care option will best meet your emotional needs. Maybe you want to be near family, for instance, and moving to a new house in your children’s neighborhood makes sense. This article offers pros and cons about this arrangement (pro, you can enjoy your grandchildren versus con, you may be taken for granted as a default babysitter).
Alternatively, perhaps you would rather enjoy the company of other seniors and would prefer assisted living. Or maybe you have a passion for gardening or a pet you can’t part with? Then perhaps you’re best staying put. The point is to consider not only practical but also emotional elements. By understanding and acknowledging what brings you joy, you can create a senior home care option that makes you happy.
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