These Retirement Living Solutions Make Community a Top Priority
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With the vast number of baby boomers now in retirement, you could say that this generation has created a “boom” in senior living options. The most popular options are all about community, whether that comes from an assisted living center, moving to a 55-and-over community, or being part of a community right from your home. While each of these options has pros and cons, the common thread is that they all help you stay more connected without sacrificing your health and safety. The following tips presented by Coraopolis Community Development can help you find your way when you’re just getting started.
Assisted Living as a Community
People often think of assisted living as being institutional and isolating - not exactly the community they want for retirement. But because today’s seniors want something more, assisted living centers are adapting to meet that demand. The benefit of assisted living is that it gives you or your loved one extra care, so you have less to worry about.
For seniors who choose assisted living, the most important thing is to find the right fit so you can truly enjoy your senior years. To find a community where you feel at home, be sure to consider the facility’s layout, amenities, and social opportunities. You will also want to think about the location you desire, services provided, the ability to access higher care, and which facilities fit your budget. One thing all seniors and their families should know is that costs of assisted living can vary widely.
Moving to Find Community
If you don’t need the assistance part of assisted living, Marketwatch suggests you may want to consider an active adult community. This could be a good choice if you need a more accessible home and crave the fun and social support that is common in an active community. The requirements you should consider are similar to those when searching for assisted living. One important thing to look into is whether you will be able to stay there long term or if you would need to move to get additional care later in life. Of course you’ll need to define how much you can spend on a home as well. Things you’ll need to consider include your monthly spending, annual income, property taxes, and what type of loan you take out.
Creating Your Own Community
Along with these two options that have been around for a while, some seniors are choosing alternative housing solutions that allow them to find community and care while staying in their own homes. The New York Times reports that many cities across America now have “village-to-village” communities, which give seniors who live at home access to services much like they would get in traditional retirement facilities. For a fee, seniors can utilize the “village” referral service to easily find help with just about anything they need. Along with these vital resources, seniors also get support from their neighbors in the form of social events and other ways of making connections.
Another housing solution that fosters community is to have a senior roommate, or even create an intergenerational household. Also called co-housing, living with a group of friends is an excellent way to create your own community and provide mutual support for one another. Co-housing also comes with the added benefit of sharing resources, which makes it more affordable than some other options.
With either of these choices, aging in place often means making some modifications to your home. The primary concerns for aging in place are accessibility and safety. When you start thinking about staying in your own home, it’s important to consider things like doorways and stairs that can hinder access, along with safety issues like installing grab bars in bathrooms. You also want to think about the cost of these modifications when deciding which solution is the most affordable. Keep in mind that you may need to call in pros for some situations; for example, if you intend to work on anything that involves your plumbing, it’s a good idea to call a plumber. Sites like Angi.com can help you find a good plumber in the Pittsburgh area.
Cost, convenience, amenities and services - these are all essential factors to consider before making a decision. Everyone has unique needs and different desires for senior living, but the trend towards greater community is a positive change that we see hanging around. This is good news for retirees, because it means you can look forward to some amazing advantages in senior living.
Visit www.AbleFutures.org to learn more and to get in touch with the writer.