Seniors Site

Your home becomes a big deal right after you hit your retirement age, there’s no doubt about it. You even have to plan ahead, consider several housing options and decide – even pay—on what you want even before the need arises. That’s the weird part of it, just when you finally found your own, true home – a place where you truly belong — you’ll be forced to look for another just because you will not be able to maintain the home of your dreams anymore. Or, if you are stubborn like that, you need to make a major makeover, fitting the home with assistive devices, then putting on a poker face just so nobody will see how daunting your situation is.

But what about your house, the one that you’ll be abandoning sooner or later? Below are some ideas and tips on what you could do with your home:
•    Make sure your home is fully paid to begin with. As much as possible, bring your home to retirement fully paid and ready to sell if the need be. Like I always say, you don’t need the burden of paying mortgages when you should have been enjoying your retirement years.
•    But what if, by chance, your hands are now both tied by mortgage? Seek refinancing of your home. What refinancing can do for seniors is that it will be able to lower their monthly payments if that is what’s burdening you. You can shop around for manageable rates than your current one.
•    Downgrade. One of the reasons why seniors are having problems with their homes is that it seemed to have grown or they seemed to have shrunk as the house is evidently bigger than the first time they laid their eyes on it. No matter how you see it, you either have to start with a smaller house or sell your mansion and settle for a one bedroom apartment.
•    Rent out the extra space. The upkeep of a big house will eventually take toll on you. And if you are living on your own, it will definitely get lonesome as time goes by. By renting out the extra space you have, you’ll be able to keep your house, live in it and have company all at the same time.
•    Take a reverse mortgage against your home. This must be the most popular option for seniors nowadays as reverse mortgage will allow you to borrow money against your home until you’re able to sell it. The beauty of this is you don’t have to pay anything while on reverse mortgage. The downside is, it is possible to max out your credit against your home leading you to almost nothing when sale date comes.

Whether you are downgrading or perhaps just plain, old tired of your house and your neighborhood and would like some change, then it is best to look for a retirement home—that is if you are already a senior!

Retirement homes are your best choice if you ever thought of moving or changing your address. Why? It is because retirement homes are usually fitted and designed with senior needs in mind. You must admit, it is already high-time for industrial-grade, ugly-looking rubber mats to line your bathroom to prevent you from slipping—something you won’t even hear about 40 years ago!

However, buying the right retirement home is not always easy, in fact, it may take some adjustments and a little tweaking to make it perfect for your needs. Alongside with the usual home-hunting problems, you are faced with new challenges to consider when finding the right retirement home for you. Below are some simple tips when buying the right retirement home for you:
•    Choose your community wisely. Is it senior-friendly? How about the proximity of the hospital to your future place? Or perhaps the scale of your neighborhood. Will you be safe if you opt to live alone in it and will there be help if you happen to need one? Certainly, the kind of community plays a big role on your choice of retirement home.
•    Assess your budget. You don’t just put all your savings in this house as there is always a possibility you will need to evacuate on short notice. Also, you will need to set aside some money for quick fixes and some other minor –but costly, just the same! – adjustments. It will also do you good if you don’t go over your budget or go for something that will push you to a loan or mortgage. These are the things you wouldn’t like having while you’re growing your hair gray.
•    Consider size. Never underestimate the size of the home you’re choosing. If you ask me, there is never a retirement home too small. In fact, the smaller, the better—believe me, as it will only be pain to manage and maintain if you choose a bigger house, not to mention, costly.
•    Take your time. I suggest you start scouting for houses 5-10 years prior to your retirement year. This way you’ll be able to get a good feel on your retirement home or if it fits your needs perfectly. Take into consideration the fact that no matter how good it looks, there will always be a flaw so better to deal it while you still can.
•    Buy your retirement home while you still have a good, stable income. You wouldn’t want to be caught penniless right? Consider it as part of good retirement planning.

I always say that in aging, it is best to be prepared than just cross the bridge when you get there. The problem with “crossing the bridge when you get there” is that there might be no bridge to cross at all, meaning it may be too late for you to make a decision at all and of course, we don’t want that to happen.

If you ask me to choose between aging in place or joining an assisted community when my time comes, I would rather be in an assisted community, all convenient and surrounded with friends than to burden someone to live with me at my place. But then again, that is just me.

I understand it is not always easy to choose between the two. 3 out of 5 of my friends will choose aging in place, if they can help it, just because they are most comfortable in their house and they would know their way around blindfolded. What they don’t know is that their place might need a little renovation to suit their needs, sooner or later, which may more or less cost the same as transferring to an assisted living facility. Of course, aging in place has its own pros and cons, and for those of you who are thinking of growing old and gray at your own home, here are some nuggets for your thoughts to think over:

* You have to make a decision as early as possible. For me, that is as soon as you hit your 60th birthday. Why? This age is usually the time when your illnesses, age-related or otherwise, will start manifesting, if they haven’t yet. Of course, you wouldn’t want to be caught in between renovating your house and nursing a disability, would you?
* Plan changes early on. While you still can, is a more suitable description. You should have a foresight of what you might need in the future, fixtures and all. There are online shops which specialize with seniors/older adults needs that you might want to check out. Your local hardware stores may also have an idea or two to share.
* Anticipate your needs.  You, of all people, should know what conditions of your body are most likely to worsen overtime. Ask your doctor of possible outcomes of your condition and discuss with them your decision of aging in place. It might also be good to ask if it is possible for you to do so.
* Admit that at some point, you’ll need help. Look for agencies and organizations which can help you find the right person for you to work with especially if you don’t have relatives living nearby.

The golden rule is plan ahead and seek help. Asking for help is never bad and there’s nothing embarrassing in it too. If you would like to succeed in making your decision possible, you will need all the help you can get.

If living independently is a dream come true among seniors then you might have heard of the horrors that come with multigenerational families as well. Multigenerational families or household are homes which house a family belonging to at least three generations long. There should be the grandparents, the parents, kids and sometimes even the “kids of the kids” so you can just imagine how chaotic that may be. On the other hand, I must admit, it has its own perks such as never having a chance to be lonesome—as it’s quite hard to be so when there’s roomful of people in every corner of your home—or perhaps the feeling of security we humans tend to have when surrounded by people, most especially with people we love and trust.

Whether it is good or bad for you emotionally, managing a multigenerational household is financially stressful. All three generations (except for the underage kids, of course) must be experiencing financial burdens of their own but the question is who gets the most financial stress of them all? Well, you’ve guessed it right, it’s the boomers, more particularly the one belonging to the sandwich generation.

It was said that families function with love for those they care about. They take care of their own and through love they will be able to tide over the worst of times however, giving part of yourself is different from giving part of your savings or hard-earned money. You need your money, who doesn’t anyway? But how would you say no to a family in need? And if you do, when is enough?

There is a resurgence of multigenerational household nowadays, partly because of the aftereffects of the recession. Seniors or retirees have lost their nest eggs, probably their homes too, younger adults getting the boot from their jobs, even you in the middle of it all must have lost something one way or another. The problem is, baby boomers tend to see things as their sole problem—like they are the only ones who should extend assistance to their aging parent, their kids and their grandkids which I think should not be the case. It is not bad to share your home especially if your intention is to financially assist your family but it should be a combined effort for all concerned. Your aging parent may not be of much help when it comes to money but they can certainly do other things to help you out, same goes for your adult kids who just moved in with you.

You might also want to talk it over with those concerned. Again, it is not bad to lay ground rules since it is your house and they are submitting themselves to your mercy, not that you won’t respect their person anymore but you have to make it clear that you have your own limits which they in return should also observe and respect.

You may have decided to move after all, however, the hardest part of it is just about to start:  the moving process itself—that is the packing and transferring of your belongings from the “old” place down to the “new” one then unpacking to settle down. Truth be told, it really isn’t fun. No fun at all unless you’re a chronic mover such that you know in a blink of an eye what goes in your overnight night and what to toss out the window. For those seniors who have been living under the same, leaky roof for decades, obviously, this is not the case.

However, your moving need not be painful and there’s no reason for you to throw a major tantrum as well. All you need to do is have the proper mind set to accomplish the job which involves careful planning, organization and optimism—lots of it, I say. Here is a simple senior guide to easy moving:

•    Allow 1-2 months preparation time for the move, more if you feel you have accumulated stuff enough to furnish houses in a block! You’ll need time to get everything in order, even if you are moving in a furnished house. By preparing a month or two, you won’t have to cram or be stressed out about the move.
•    Get help. Let’s face it, it is impossible to do the move all by yourself unless you’re planning to punish yourself for your past sins. Enlist help of friends, family and even professional movers. You don’t have to be bothered by the very intricate art of packing, nobody expects a senior to do that anyway.
•    Leave the physical part of moving to pros, you have enough emotional brouhaha to attend to. Consider having to sort 20 years worth of stuff, I bet 75% of it, you already have forgotten about. Waddling through it will surely bring about an avalanche of memories, some good, others bad, unfortunately, it has to be done.
•    Begin today. There’s no use delaying it as it will only backfire if you do. Start with the part of your house which you seldom use, like the attic or perhaps the spare room.
•    Be sensible. You SHOULD not bring along everything that is in your home. In fact, make it a rule to bring only those you need to sustain your life. No use dragging those ancient looking magazines and newspapers, they will only add weight to the moving truck, hence extra charge.
•    Dispose. Everything you don’t need, you either give away or you sell. Either way, you are to benefit from it since giving away your stuff to Goodwill will get you a tax write off while selling away your stuff will get you some money.
•    Emotional bumps are normal. They are to be expected. Face them sooner than later. It takes a while before you can finally be settled into your new home and adjust to your new environment. Take your time and enjoy the ride.

In just a few winks, temperature will drop and snowflakes will start to fall. Next thing you know, your home is six feet deep under that snow and your roof is practically falling down. Certainly your home will need extra care during the winter season and what better way to start the festivities than knowing you got everything covered even before the worst of the season strikes?

•    Check your winter tools. Seniors get by with the help of their trusty tools, however, it is easy to overlook these things on sunny days especially if they are hidden at the very back of the shed. Check and see if they are still in working order or if they are already due for a maintenance check.
•    Replenish your winter supplies. This includes ice melters, batteries and what-have-you’s. While you’re at it, check your flashlights if they are still working and your battery-operated radios.
•    Clear your lawn. Harsh weather can, without a doubt, harm your lawn. It is best that you prepare your lawn to what you anticipate will happen. Trim your trees so it won’t bring some more damage to your house or your neighbor’s.
•    Clean your gutters and downspouts. Or you can have someone do it for you, if this is a risky task for you to take. This will eliminate the problem of dirt and debris clogging your pipes causing the water to rise.
•    Check your home’s interior. Make sure your house is free from any cracks and leaks that can pose more danger come winter. Have a handyman check your home for you if your house have never had any for a long time. However, at this point, full renovation is not an option.
•    Get your emergency kits ready. Winter season is such an unpredictable season. You can be enjoying a quiet day sipping hot cocoa, only to be dashing out the door later tonight for an emergency evacuation. Make sure that you place your emergency kit where it is convenient for you in case of a “grab and go” situation.
•    Have your car winter ready. Get your tires changed and your batteries checked. Better yet, drive over to the nearest auto shop and have your car professionally checked. Your car may not be a part of your home but in case of an emergency and you need to run, your car is the most logical thing to bring with you.
•    Avoid pipe freezes. Drain hoses and AC pipes or just clear off any remaining water in it. Make sure you know where your shut off valves are located in case you need to turn them off.

Moving out of your home is indeed painful since it is more or less, leaving memories behind. What makes it doubly painful is when someone in your immediate family decides to move you without ever consulting you if you are ready for it. Of course, they won’t exactly understand it and all you can do is go with the flow and put a curse on them that someday, may their kids do the exact same things to them! What you should remember is that you still have the power over your life and you can decide what to do with it unless you also doubt your capabilities in making the right decisions. (Which is I doubt since you can still read this post without difficulty!)

However, it is also important—if you would like to be treated fairly, that is—to know when to give yourself up even if it means giving up your independence as well. Let’s face it, as we age, we lose the ability to care for ourselves one by one. In fact, even if you can still clean your bathroom with ease, just belonging to the magic number of 60 and above makes you a likely target of scams. It only means that even if you run away from a security breach, they will come running after you anyway. Below are some indications to help you determine if it is time for you to move to a safer environment:

•    Diminishing physical capabilities. No matter how active you are right now, there will be some things you just can’t do anymore as you age. These can be necessary restrictions such as avoiding activities which can break your bones or a conscious awareness of your surroundings for things that may hurt your body. For less active seniors, notice your body and reflexes slowing down—surely, these are the things that will only make your life miserable if you keep on living on your own.
•    Declining mental health. Just because you always forget where you left your keys doesn’t mean you are on your way to a mental institution. However, there is more to simply forgetting things as it can also pose risks to you and your health. Just imagine what can happen if you missed your appointment with the doctor just because you forgot or perhaps, got confused over the times you should be taking your meds.
•    Having a hard time getting to and fro places. Transportation must be the all-time obstacle for seniors since it will just keep on getting harder and harder to climb the bus or step in a train. It is important that you eliminate unnecessary inconveniences at this point by moving to a closer location wherein you can just walk around and be at places you intended to be.
•    Not enough money to make adjustments to your home. Renovations are expensive—the reason why most people avoid it like a plague– however in your condition, it is extremely important to make these adjustments.
•    Shrinking circle of friends. It is important that you stay social as you, at this point, need companionship. Moving to a community where seniors like you are living comfortably will pave the way for you to make new friends.

Looking for a quick sale or perhaps hoping to sell your home at a higher price? These are not impossible, if you know exactly what to do with your home especially BEFORE potential buyers drop in to see your place!

Seeking help from a real estate expert with your best interest in mind, he or she will tell you that there is more to just selling your home. You need to make it real pretty to your buyer’s eyes; they should be able to see the beauty of the house you’ve been holding on to for years and be able to downplay its “not-so-pretty” side. In an agent’s lingo, it is called as “staging”.

Home staging is a common practice in real estate. Basically, it aims to put emphasis on your home’s best features making it easier to sell it to interested buyers. Here are some home staging tips you can do in preparation to selling your home:

•    Go for an overall appearance instead of highlighting technical improvements of your home. It is important for your buyers to see the house as a whole, not the improvements that may or may not come with the sale. In other words, keep your personal belongings.. well, personal.
•    Never assume that your favorite spot would be the same spot your buyer will fall in love with too. While it feels you’re selling memories, bear in mind that the buyer is merely buying a house.
•    Move unnecessary clutter out of the house. As much as possible, keep your things to minimum. Remove personal objects such as family pictures and albums so your buyer won’t get distracted when viewing the house. This will also help you detach yourself from the house even before the sale.
•    Clean every nook and cranny of your home. That includes crawlspaces, cupboards and sheds. Your potential buyer will surely be interested on how much space is available for his belongings so these things should be kept clean.
•    Do some home repairs. Nothing grand, just your simple house troubleshooting such as fixing a leaky faucet or replacing a broken window.
•    Get your home as squeaky clean as possible! Wax the floors if you need to, dust your tabletops, bring out the nice china..anything that will enhance the look and feel of your home!
•    Inspect your house lighting. It should be in neutral tones and never in dark ones. As much as possible, use natural light as it makes a room look bigger and spacious.
•    Look at your home through your buyer’s eyes. They may see what your eyes couldn’t see. If this is a little bit difficult for you, then ask someone you trust to point out bad points of your home.

Age restricted apartment for seniors are, in other words, senior apartments. They were developed with one, single goal:  that is, to cater to seniors who are looking for better housing option. I have already discussed the beauty of retirement communities, however, not all seniors are wealthy enough to afford living in one. Good news is, a senior who is looking for an active community to join in but living on a tight budget can still enjoy such housing option by way of moving to an age restricted apartment for seniors or senior apartments!

What I like about senior apartments is that a senior who is living in one can benefit socially as well as keep their independence intact, not to mention the security it provides. I find that the hardest part for seniors when moving out of their homes is losing their independence. Actually, that is when reluctance usually comes into picture. But, with senior apartments, seniors are, more or less, left to their own devices unless they need help making it easier for aging adults to move in.

Senior apartments are beneficial for seniors. Aside from the security it obviously provides to senior residents, it is much cheaper than retirement communities and even maintaining your own home. Furthermore, there are available amenities for residents that are otherwise not practical to own if you are still living on your own such as swimming pools and fitness centers.

Senior apartments encourage socialization since there will be lots of adults of the same age range within the building. This housing option is perfect for those older adults living alone without a relative nearby. Most senior apartments even offer laundry services so that seniors are left alone doing the things they enjoy the most. Just like in a retirement community, there are planned activities available for senior residents to participate on.

Nonetheless, interested seniors should inspect the amenities offered with the apartment as more often than not, the rate you’ll pay for living in the apartment depends on the number of amenities given to residents. It is best for potential resident to inspect each and every amenities offered and assess if you will use them upon moving in. You should also take note that there are qualifications and requirements for residency, one of which is age. Also, if you are planning to live with a relative or perhaps a caregiver, you might want to check first with the officer in charge since most senior apartments have limitations to the number of allowed residents in a unit.

Ever wonder what it feels like to live in a community wherein you are free to roam the area but at the same time, monitored—The Truman Show-style? It can be unnerving, yes, but believe me, you are better off in this type of housing than in doldrums of a retirement home.

Of course, the type of retirement setting solely depends on the needs of the senior who will move and live there, but for active seniors who do not wish to be bound between a recreational room and their own assigned room, retirement communities are your best bet. Luckily, retirement communities are mushrooming all throughout America and there bound to be one near you.

If that got you interested, here are my tips in choosing the best retirement community for you:

•    Start local. Retirement communities are becoming more and more popular these days since most seniors who are left alone with no one to care for them are usually active enough not to be thrown in a retirement home. If you choose to stay local, there is a big chance you’ll end up with your longtime friends there.
•    Do a quick background check on the community. Almost all retirement communities are fairly new, so it is best if you do a little background check on the owners and their financial stability.
•    Make sure they have all the services you need—or at least nearby. Your medical needs should be a priority, the community should be in close proximity to a hospital in case an emergency happens, if not within the community itself.
•    Ask for a sample contract, if possible, along with a detailed breakdown of fees. Sometimes, this is where lines become blurred so you need to be very careful with these details. Go over it with a lawyer if you must.
•    Ask to be toured, get friendly with residents. This is the only way you’ll be able to get a good feel of the community—being one of them for a few hours. Pay attention to what your gut tells you as they are, most of the time, right on the spot.
•    Check its amenities and programs for residents. Since you are paying for your stay, might as well enjoy it! There should be an activity director in the area whom you can ask for these things.
•    Assess your own financial standing. Living in a retirement community can be expensive—way more expensive than a boring retirement home! If you plan to stay longterm, you should be able to pay for it.