Alternative to living alone?

Atory

New Member
Hello,
Have you ever thought about moving to a rental senior community? I'm in my 60's now and live in an apt.
Here are a few of my thoughts on renting in a 55+ community. First consider maintenance, lawn care, taxes, then inability to move quickly if needed, and now the uncertain economy. Also consider your health both now and if an emergency should occur. Then there is isolation, lack of social supports, which contributes to early onset dementia. In a time when people are pulling away from each other we need connection and community.
This is even more true than ever for the elderly. These facilities or communities often include meals, transportation to medical appointments, structured activities, active social life, no taxes or maintenance. A person says your throwing your money away by renting. Really? It's called living without the headache and extra expense. Also some facilities may have Nurse Practitioners or home health agencies on site. You may be able to have them come in to see you.

Beauty Salon, hair care may be already on site. There also may be transportation to medical appointments and other activities included. You don't necessarily have to go to all the activities.
You can spend time alone in your room and still have the benefit of being around others.Security and safety in numbers is another concern. If you loved one has a fall. Being in a facility also allows for shared meals with others and building of friendships. People tend to check on each other. It's important to check out the floor plans. you may have options for a larger one bedroom apartment, 2 bedroom, or a studio which may cost less. In regard to family members visiting, you can check to see if there is a guest suite. If you go to visit a family member in another city and there is a facility there owned by the same company, you might be able to stay there for free and still receive meals.

Not all facilities require a buy-in. Assisted Living facilities are required to administer medicine and document it. However, in independent living you must be up and about, able to live and function without assistance. Many also serve 3 meals a day. Some, not all independent living facilities provide transportation to medical appointments. Carefully weigh the options, Do you want to be climbing on the roof at age 85? And will you have $15000 or more saved up for repairs?

If the neighborhood goes down hill by renting you can leave quicker, or if you get sick, you wont have to worry about trying to sell your house. Rents will increase but home maintenance will to over time. It depends on what you like. If you do choose a buy in some facilities also provide a means for you to move up to a higher level of care when needed such as assisted living, nursing care, or memory care.

No one lives forever, but how you live can make the difference. It's not all about what others provide for you to live. The fact is you also have a lot to give to others and yourself. This makes community richer and life fuller.
All over YouTube now there is an increase in people talking about how they want to pull away from others and avoid people. The truth is we all need acceptance, meaning, love, and community. this does not come about in isolation. It is not good for man to be alone! Remember, being proactive is the key. If you don't plan for your future, others will plan it for you, and it may be too late to choose your place of living when you can no longer make the decision.
 

The Independent Living communities around here cost at least $4,000 a month (that was 2 years ago I saw that, so I bet it's actually closer to $5,000 now). The apartments for seniors that are *not* Independent Living places cost a little less but of course don't offer the meals, housekeeping or the shuttle buses and have waiting lists years long. (I checked one seniors apt place a couple of months ago and was told the waiting list was about 5 years long.)

So around here, the option for most seniors is unfortunately a non-seniors apartment in a run-down section (drug dealers, rowdy college kids) of town.
 
The Independent Living communities around here cost at least $4,000 a month (that was 2 years ago I saw that, so I bet it's actually closer to $5,000 now). The apartments for seniors that are *not* Independent Living places cost a little less but of course don't offer the meals, housekeeping or the shuttle buses and have waiting lists years long. (I checked one seniors apt place a couple of months ago and was told the waiting list was about 5 years long.)

So around here, the option for most seniors is unfortunately a non-seniors apartment in a run-down section (drug dealers, rowdy college kids) of town.
This is probably in California.
 

@Atory, there are so many factors to consider when looking at housing options. Many are heavily governed by finances, health and physical abilities, where loved ones live, what we enjoy doing, and the area of the country/world where we're most comfortable.

Then we look at - do we stay where we are, downsize, move to AL, choose stepped Independent Living, buy/rent in a 55+ neighborhood, move in with family members, or who knows what?

Senior Forums has numerous threads discussing this issue. You can find them using the search box and typing in, "Assisted Living".
 
There are pros and cons for every situation. I loved the video @hollydolly shared about the 55 plus community and what they go through living there. Thank you, @hollydolly !

I prefer to stay at home as long as I can. I want the freedom and independence. I want to be in control. I know several people from the senior center that still live at home. I know others that are in a 55 plus community. I get a sense of this "decline" that the video talked about at my local Senior center, like when people older than me don't show up and I learn later that they had fallen and broken something. It makes me think of my fragility. I have started to associate with "decline" these past two years I've been going there. Discussion is mostly about failing health.

But now I attend the music and art classes only, and have made friends there, and that is sufficient for me.
 
The Independent Living communities around here cost at least $4,000 a month (that was 2 years ago I saw that, so I bet it's actually closer to $5,000 now). The apartments for seniors that are *not* Independent Living places cost a little less but of course don't offer the meals, housekeeping or the shuttle buses and have waiting lists years long. (I checked one seniors apt place a couple of months ago and was told the waiting list was about 5 years long.)

So around here, the option for most seniors is unfortunately a non-seniors apartment in a run-down section (drug dealers, rowdy college kids) of town.
So if you run out of money and are still not sick enough to be qualified for Medicare nursing home....you are doomed.
 
7 years ago, I was in a nursing home and the tab was $5,000/month, and that was in PA.
Most financial advisors suggest budget for nursing home now is $10k per month.
BTW, nursing home is quite different from independent living.
 
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So if you run out of money and are still not sick enough to be qualified for Medicare nursing home....you are doomed.
I’m not sure what it will look like going forward but right now in New York State if you are currently in the system the chances are pretty good that you’ll remain in the system. Normally a social worker is assigned to assist with that transition.

You may need to leave a posh independent/assisted living in favor of one that accepts Medicaid and you may have to share a room but chances are slim that you’ll end up on the street.

I’m planning to remain in a no frills older apartment complex and gradually add services that will help me to remain independent.

We are fortunate to live in a time where we can piece together grocery delivery, cleaning services, mail order pharmacy, laundry services, Uber/Lyft, etc… to create our own personal independent/assisted living program as our needs change.
 
I’m planning to remain in a no frills older apartment complex and gradually add services that will help me to remain independent.

We are fortunate to live in a time where we can piece together grocery delivery, cleaning services, mail order pharmacy, laundry services, Uber/Lyft, etc… to create our own personal independent/assisted living program as our needs change.
This is exactly why I’d have no problem living in the high rise apartments that were being discussed in another thread. I’m very willing to modify my lifestyle to maintain a reasonably safe living situation.
 
This is exactly why I’d have no problem living in the high rise apartments that were being discussed in another thread. I’m very willing to modify my lifestyle to maintain a reasonably safe living situation.
But...why high rise not mid or low rise?
 
This is exactly why I’d have no problem living in the high rise apartments that were being discussed in another thread. I’m very willing to modify my lifestyle to maintain a reasonably safe living situation.
Same here. This is why I wish so much I could get Huzz to agree to something like that. I feel like something's coming and that would be a safer place to live.
 
I’m planning to remain in a no frills older apartment complex and gradually add services that will help me to remain independent.

We are fortunate to live in a time where we can piece together grocery delivery, cleaning services, mail order pharmacy, laundry services, Uber/Lyft, etc… to create our own personal independent/assisted living program as our needs change.

My house is paid off and I plan on staying put too. I agree theres a lot of services available. For me paying for these services will be much more economical than paying for a nursing home or assisted living. When this house gets to be too much I will buy a smaller one or maybe a condo. Condo is iffy. :D

The husband was in a several nursing homes before he passed. Most expensive was $12000 a month. Cheapest was $9000.
With the cheaper ones you get a free roommate. I dont want a roommate in my house. Let alone being trapped in a single room with one.

I still remember my poor Moms stay in one. First let me say we are hot people. And introverts.
There was an immediate war over the thermostat. Roommate had hordes of visitors till closing.
And the TV was another bone of contention. I ended up bringing another one from home.
 
We intend to age in place here as long as possible. We chose this home with that in mind.

The house is paid for and it’s level, no stairs in the house and the stairs to the front door can be easily ramped which we did when Ron had his accident and was wheelchair bound for 4 months.

All but one of my kids and both of his live close by, and with grocery delivery, online ordering, prescription delivery etc all available to us, I’m hopeful we can live here till we die.
 
I’m planning to remain in a no frills older apartment complex and gradually add services that will help me to remain independent.

We are fortunate to live in a time where we can piece together grocery delivery, cleaning services, mail order pharmacy, laundry services, Uber/Lyft, etc… to create our own personal independent/assisted living program as our needs change.

The house is paid for and it’s level, no stairs in the house and the stairs to the front door can be easily ramped which we did when Ron had his accident and was wheelchair bound for 4 months.

All but one of my kids and both of his live close by, and with grocery delivery, online ordering, prescription delivery etc all available to us, I’m hopeful we can live here till we die.
Our house is likewise paid for and mostly on one level, though if DH or I developed serious permanent mobility issues we'd likely downsize to smaller quarters. The kids live nearby and are helpful.

As Ronni & Aunt Bea point out, it's easier than ever to schedule services, transportation and deliveries so seniors can age in place. Short of needing 24 hour care, it's cheaper to do that than live in a nursing home or AL facility.
 
Never know what can happen. I have relatives who retired about five years ago. They are a couple who bought an upscale home in a 55+ development with all the amenities. They have more than adequate retirement income (Unless one is talking about $12k/month memory care). The husband went in for a supposedly routine joint replacement. He came out of anesthesia with stage five/six dementia. They tried caretaking at home but the sundowning, incoherence, and psychotic episodes were too much. He’s in a facility now and looks like never coming home again.
They did a brain scan and surmised he was in stage two before the operation (But they thought it was normal memory problems with age). The anesthesia kicked it up a few levels. One can’t predict the future. BTW, he is only 70. Now his wife has to rethink everything due to the expense of nursing care.
 
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Never know what can happen. I have relatives who retired about five years ago. They are a couple who bought an upscale home in a 55+ development with all the amenities. They have more than adequate retirement income (Unless one is talking about $12k/month memory care). The husband went in for a supposedly routine joint replacement. He came out of anesthesia with stage five/six dementia. They tried caretaking at home but the sundowning, incoherence, and psychotic episodes were too much. He’s in a facility now and looks like never coming home again.
They did a brain scan and surmised he was in stage two before the operation (But they thought it was normal memory problems with age). The anesthesia kicked it up a few levels. One can’t predict the future. BTW, he is only 70. Now his wife has to rethink everything due to the expense of nursing care.
My aunt had level 2-3 dementia before her surgery, then came out of surgery much worst. The anesthesia did seriously effect the brain function in some way.
 
After I sold my house 5 years ago I moved to a seniors apartment building back in my home town. I have a nice little one bedroom. Best move for me. Laundry facilities on site, a nice community room with activities, or just to hang and visit.
I am a bit of an introvert, so I can stay in my apartment when I do not feel like peopling, or go down and visit with friends.
I plan to stay as long as I am able.
 


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