So you want to retire to another state?
Sorry, snowbirds! Florida is no longer one of the most preferred states for retirees. That’s at least according to a new survey by Bankrate, which ranked states on a variety of different criteria, including cost of living, crime, taxes and the quality of healthcare services.The top 10 list they came up with is long on scenic mountain states and included only one traditional “Sun ... READ MORE
CCRCs offer a lifetime of housing and healthcare
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), or multi-level care facilities, assure their residents independent living as long as possible, and provide for assisted living and nursing assistance if or when it is needed.This type of living arrangement can be particularly useful to financially sound couples who are in need of different levels of care and who wish to maintain a strong... READ MORE
Adapt your home to be livable for years
As people age, many choose to stay in their current homes near friends, family, places of worship and other places that have become integral parts of their lives. This is part of a growing trend toward “aging in place.” The term applies to those who want to live as they have in their current home for as long as possible.As we age, our mobility and capabilities change. Steps can... READ MORE
She advocates for those in long-term care
In her first months on the job as Maryland state long-term care ombudsman, one of Steveanne Ellis’s first hurdles is making sure people know she exists. Ellis oversees the network of staff and volunteers across that state that help resolve resident problems in Maryland’s 230 nursing homes and 1,500 assisted living facilities.“We really want the residents and the staff to... READ MORE
Communities feature fur, fins and feathers
Through the nonprofit Pets on Wheels program, volunteers bring therapy dogs — dogs that enjoy human contact and have been trained to be at ease in all situations — to interact with residents of hospitals, nursing homes, schools, retirement communities and more.“My stress and anxiety just disappear when I’m playing with one of the dogs,” said Linda Schoene, a... READ MORE
Technology to help you stay independent
Though the vast majority of people want to “age in place” by staying in their homes as they get older, safety and health issues and social isolation can interfere with that plan. Fortunately, a growing number of state-of-the-art digital tools — including smartphones, GPS, voice activated and sensor technology — can better enable us to stay where we are indefinitely. With these ... READ MORE
Group homes offer individualized care
When Olney resident Jimmy Schrider suffered a stroke last year, his wife Barbara, 80, realized he would need extra care to maintain his quality of life. She felt that full-time homecare services would be too costly, and that larger assisted living communities didn’t seem to be the right choice for them, either. A social worker at her husband’s rehabilitation facility suggested nearby ... READ MORE
Programs assist with home modification
Most of us would like to remain in our own home as we age, but to make that possible, home modifications may be called for. Fortunately, to help you adapt your home to suit your needs as you age in place, loans and grants are available from federal, state and local governments, as well as from the VA, nonprofit and private organizations, and other agencies. Browse the Home Repair and... READ MORE
How to make a small room feel bigger
As the weather gets colder and we come indoors, it’s easy to wish your indoor space had some of the open, airy feeling of the outdoors.It is possible to make a room feel larger than it really is: Choosing the right colors and finishes and arranging furniture properly can create the illusion of space.Here, three experts on designing small living spaces share their strategies for making ... READ MORE
Making the move to independent living
When Mary Gonzales decided to retire from her career as a pediatric nurse and move here from New York last year, she knew she was in for some big changes.Gonzales wanted to spend time with her daughter, who had moved to the D.C. area long ago. “She’s my only child, and my decision was that when I retired, I would move here, especially since I have two grandchildren, age 3 and... READ MORE
