Plan ahead as much as you can. As a reader, Jan Bone, wrote in response to Mary, it’s far easier to explore what each of you want to do and what options you have now, before the urgency hits. Some people live out their lives in their own homes, perhaps hiring some caregiver support. If you decide you want to stay at home as long as possible, some minor renovations can make a world of difference for an older person whose needs are changing. Durable medical equipment like commodes, shower chairs/benches, grab bars and shower sprayers, are paid partly by Medicare; the rest are relatively minor in terms of expense. Even an electric stair lift can convert a difficult home to navigate into a safe accessible place. However, it is important to allow professionals to evaluate the home for equipment if at all possible. Mary, some questions to consider when deciding if it is time to relocate relate to your overall quality of life. Are you still able to get outside to enjoy activities you have always enjoyed? Is maintaining your home becoming more difficult? Have your neighbors moved away? Is there shopping nearby if you can no longer drive? Has your neighborhood remained safe enough for you to go outdoors alone? You should also consider the possible benefits of an assisted living facility, some of which have activities and programs that might be more enjoyable while you are still active. In researching assisted living facilities, remember, buyer beware. Read all the fine print, and check with your state’s local better business bureau, the local department of health, as well as by asking around in your community to see if any information is available on complaints. Try to ascertain how the residents who live there feel about it. Continued care retirement communities are a good option for many, though many of these do require a huge move-in fee (even a few hundred thousand dollars) which is usually fully or partially refunded to either the person or heirs if the person moves out or passes away.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:17:03 +0000
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