Almost 90% of those 50 and older would like to stay in their homes as they age, yet only 46% of retirees believe that they will be able to stay put throughout their retirement, according to an AARP survey. There is a gap of 44% that would like to stay in their homes, but don’t think they will be able. In order to increase your odds of being able to age in place (AIP), some preparation and planning must be done. First of all, moving to a single-story home now, while you can easily purchase a new place, is a great step. As we age, most of us are carrying extra weight and it puts extra pressure on our knees, making stairs a liability in retirement. The following steps can be taken to prepare for staying in your home long-term.
HOME MODIFICATIONS – The costs to modify your home to prepare for AIP can be expensive, but keep in mind a nursing home or care facility in California cost on average around $7,500 every month!
- Grab bars, especially in the shower and bathtub;
- Handrails. People can slip at any age and take a tumble; as we age, this can result in a broken hip or worse;
- Walk-in tub.
- They can also be installed temporarily if someone needs to use a wheelchair for a short time, such as when recovering from surgery;
- Door widening to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and four-pronged canes;
- Low thresholds to avoid tripping, and to make it easier to navigate with assistive devices (walkers, canes, etc.);
- Kitchen or bathroom modifications to make cabinets easier to reach, floors even & less slippery.
- Installing a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) such as Life Alert to keep you safe in a medical emergency.
- Installing a Stairlift in a 2 story home may cost $5 to $10 thousand dollars, but it can help you to stay in the home and neighborhood you love; which could be worth every penny.
We must be connected in retirement, according to the same AARP survey, 3 in 10 adults report a lack of companionship or community. Our mental health requires us to be connected with others. Consider volunteering to serve in your community, join clubs, become active in a church group, or attend events at a local senior center, or perhaps you might consider moving to a 55 plus community that hosts many social events specifically for its retiree community. A sense of community and proper mental attitude can help us overcome the physical challenges that come with aging.
Accidents happen, many Americans are over-weight, over-worked, and under-rested; these habits have negative effects on our health, AARP data shows 14% of baby boomers will need some sort of assisted care as we age. Today, we have many options, you can go to the nursing home/care facility route for care, or there is a myriad of options for in-home care, which tends to be less expensive and should be better care as it is 1 on 1. Even with in-home care, there are many different options you can choose from.
IN-HOME ASSISTANCE OPTIONS:
Non-Medical home care, paid by the hour or by the week
Home Care Assistance (4.5 Stars) (951) 363-5564
Home Instead Senior Care (4.5 stars) (951) 369-7047
Comfort Keepers In-Home Senior Care (4.3 stars) (951) 682-2660
Accent Care (5.0 stars) (951) 778-8985
Promesa Home Care, Inc. (4.3 stars) (951) 682-3820
Visiting Angels (5.0 stars) (951) 727-4357
Room & Board in exchange for caregiving
www.nationalsharedhousing.org CA, OR, WA, AK, HI, NV, AZ, UT
Laura Fanucchi, HIP Housing, San Mateo, CA (650) 348-6660 x303 lfanucchi@hiphousing.org
https://www.interconnections.org/
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/senior-homesharing-30159.html
Receive pay for providing caregiving to your spouse
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/how-to-get-paid-for-being-a-caregiver-135476.htm
Creating a plan is essential but financing the costs for home modification and medical care must be prepared for as well. With equity in your home and a positive aging in place plan, the HECM Reverse Mortgage option may be able to transform your AIP plans into real action that improves your odds of staying in your community, and your home, for life. For more information about setting up a reverse mortgage, and getting access to your home equity as you need it, contact: Robert Snow Krepps, NMLS # 255191, at HighTechLending Inc, at rkrepps@hightechlending.com or 877-567-7476.
HighTechLending Inc, NMLS # 7147, is an Equal Housing Lender. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act.
