Hiring
Though many seniors prefer to age in place, others prefer to downsize and enjoy more time and less stuff. Four common options for senior homecare includes purchasing a more accessible home, making necessary renovations to your existing property, selecting an assisted living facility and choosing a right caregiver for you or your family members. Here is what to consider about each possibility, presented below by uCarenet.
Hitting the Market
Whether you plan to sell your home (and buy something new) or are moving to an assisted living community, it’s helpful to know your local market. Investigate your area’s housing market to get a fix on average sale prices and down payment costs.
By exploring the local listings you can get a feel for how much of a chunk from your home sale would go toward your next abode. Just keep in mind that if you decide to sell your current home as-is, you can expect to receive less than the average market price for a home like yours. So, whether you’re selling outright, downsizing, or just thinking about either, checking out comparable properties is an excellent start.
Downsizing Decisions
If you’re planning to downsize, looking at smaller homes can feel intimidating, especially if you have a significant amount of belongings to pare down. Fortunately, winnowing down these items doesn’t have to cost much or be an emotional burden. If you aren’t ready to part with certain items, you can put them in storage until you’re ready to make a permanent decision. Calculate what size unit you need and look for deals in your area.
Invest in Accessibility
If you need a more accessible layout in a home, shopping for a new home could be the right solution. Modern homes enjoy many accessibility features that older homes don’t have. Consider looking for a newer home with features like:
- Safety bars in the bathrooms
- Varied height countertops in the kitchen
- Open space underneath appliances and cabinets for wheelchair access
- Accessible door handles as opposed to doorknobs
Of course, purchasing a new or custom-built home can be expensive. In many markets, however, accessible features are becoming standard. Universal Design—AKA accessibility for all—gives seniors and others more (and safer) living options.
Staying Put and Renovating Your Home
Staying put in your existing home is another option for senior homecare. At the same time, health and lifestyle needs may require adjustments to the home’s layout or features.
Though it’s possible to renovate your home to suit accessible living, it isn’t always cheap. Consider renovations to widen doorways for walker or wheelchair use, for example. These tasks can involve structural changes that require permits and professional expertise. However, it’s worth noting that many government programs help fund these renovations for homeowners in need.
Common modifications for accessible living include:
- Installing safety bars in restrooms
- Replacing flooring to avoid falls
- Installing accessibility ramps
Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
Moving to an assisted living facility or community is often the right fit for many seniors. Many assisted living facilities come with perks such as built-in socialization, availability of medical help and treatment, and safe living quarters. If you have an existing consideration, this type of structure may be beneficial.
As a resident in an assisted community, you typically receive access to transportation services. Meals, housekeeping and laundry services, and even entertainment come with your assisted living plan. However, assisted living does come at a price. Financial help is often available via income-based waivers, but such aid is not guaranteed.
Selecting a right senior caregiver
For seniors, deciding where to live and when to move is a very personal decision. Fortunately, there are plenty of options—and assistance—available regardless of where you decide to go (or stay). Ultimately, choosing to live where you feel most comfortable is the key to a satisfying future. According to AARP, 87 percent of seniors 65+ prefer to age in place. That is, they would rather not move from the home they’ve enjoyed for so long.
But the task of finding your perfect care provider is an important one, and at times can be a tough. That’s why we at uCarenet are focused on providing you with a powerful online booking platform that offers you the tools to find and remotely manage the right caregiver for you and your family. To post your home care needs and get matched with local Caregivers download our mobile app, or register on our website.
