Moving my mother into assisted living
If I could pick one word to describe my mother, it would be “independent.” But as she has aged, chronic orthopedic issues and COPD slowly claimed her ability to move comfortably.We recently made the difficult decision that the best living situation for her is in an assisted living community. This is the story of how she found her new home.While I have always stood by, ready to... READ MORE
Choices abound for independent living
How and where we live is a major decision for many of us as we get older and our lifestyle changes. For those who do not require the care offered by assisted living facilities — such as help with bathing, dressing, and keeping track of medications — independent living communities are an attractive option.Independent communities are designed to make their residents’... READ MORE
How to get financial help to age in place
The vast majority of older adults say they prefer to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.Those who need assistance with the ordinary activities of daily life, or even long-term custodial care, may bring in private help if they have the means. And some choose to move to assisted living or continuing care communities where their needs will be taken care of — again, if ... READ MORE
What factors make a community ‘livable’?
Do you consider your community “livable”? If not, what would make it so? Or where would you move to find one?AARP has developed a new web-based tool called a “livability index” to help people of all ages define what they mean by livability and to measure the level of it at various states, cities and neighborhoods.The index can also help policymakers and advocates... READ MORE
Share your home like the Golden Girls did
Eight years ago, Bonnie Moore found herself divorced with a newly remodeled five-bedroom home in Bowie, Md. “I had all the bills and half the income,” she said. Moore didn’t want to lose her home, so she decided to take in roommates. But unlike many landlords who don’t have a particular tenant in mind, Moore had a plan. “I wanted women the same age I was,” the now 70-year-old ... READ MORE
Moving between levels of care at CCRCs
Senior housing options that include a range of care services — from independent apartments to assisted living to nursing care, commonly referred to as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) — provide seniors and their family members with a sense of security and peace of mind.Because everything is offered under the same institutional umbrella, there’s no need for... READ MORE
What’s in a name? Ask these communities
A number of long-standing senior living communities in the area were originally established with religious roots, and their church affiliation was reflected in their original names.For decades, being such a faith-based nonprofit attracted both residents of that faith as well as others who associated both trustworthiness and goodwill with religious organizations. Even today, for many people, ... READ MORE
To sell your home, give every room a role
Many of us have one room in the house that doesn’t really have a job. Maybe we set it up with an air bed once in a while for guests, or shove out-of-season clothing boxes in there, or use it as a holding zone for stuff we’re not sure what to do with.But when your house is on the market, every room has a role to play to make the sale. Next to fixing whatever’s broken,... READ MORE
How to evaluate a retirement community
If you’re considering a move for yourself or a family member to an independent living retirement community, there are a number of criteria you should consider before making your final decision.Among the most basic things to consider is the quality of the staff, facility and programming. Concern for residents’ safety is especially important.Look for:• On-site... READ MORE
Coping with clutter and hoarder disorder
Many of us have trouble parting with our possessions — even when we no longer need them. I have a collection of greeting cards I’ve been storing since childhood and will probably never look at again. My husband owns a few pieces of clothing older than our 17-year marriage. Yet some people take their keepsakes to the extreme, holding onto decades’ worth of receipts, newspapers and... READ MORE
