Hello & Welcome Back to #FabulousFriday! #shafferrealty and #shafferrealestate. I have been in communication with a wonderful representative about senior housing and aging in place. Her name is Joan Martin, the Community Outreach and Senior Advocate for caring.com. There are many options available to those in the 55+ housing space and she offered to allow us to feature some of those options in our blog.
Here are quotes from an article she sent to me:
"Aging in place can mean different things to different seniors. For some, it means continuing to live in their existing home, often the place where they raised their kids. For others, it means relocating to a new home that’s more suitable for their current and future needs. This frequently, but not always, means downsizing and relocating, sometimes to another city or state. The following section looks at what seniors should consider about aging in place. It also compares two popular options: senior apartments and retirement communities.
Things to Consider About Environment When Aging in Place
Environment is possibly the most important factor when choosing somewhere suitable to age in place. What was once the right home, city or state may no longer be suitable for the older you. For example, you might expect that at some point you’ll no longer be able to drive, making traveling more complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, you should consider what your ideal environment will look like as you age. If you’re fortunate, your current location will satisfy your needs, but if it doesn’t, you may wish to consider relocating. Some things you should think of include:
Health Care Access: It should be easy for you to get to your doctor or nearest hospital and for medical professionals to come to you in good time.
Neighborhood Safety: Neighborhoods evolve over time. The one you moved into may not feel as safe as it did. Comparing it with the place you’re thinking of moving to may be worthwhile.
Visitors: Loneliness and social isolation can cause serious health conditions, so you should consider how frequently your loved ones can visit your home.
Socializing: Just because you’re aging in place doesn’t mean you want to abstain from socializing. You should consider the proximity of the nearest senior center and other venues where your age group congregates, such as libraries.
Shopping: If you reside in a rural area and can no longer drive, shopping for groceries may become a problem. Consider how close you are to convenience stores, particularly if you can’t rely on someone to help you out regularly.
Family: Consider how easy it is for you to visit your family. Also, think about their journey times if you have an emergency.
Following is the website link to the original article that can be viewed regarding senior living: https://www.caring.com/resources/buying-a-home-to-age-in-place/"
If you are in need of senior housing, one of our helpful Shaffer agents can help. Please contact us today to set up a buyer consultation to discuss your housing goals and needs. We look forward to helping! Warmly , Susan