How do I find senior housing?

[wryter2000]

I'm 71, in pretty good health with some mobility problems, no memory loss. I'm still driving, even at night on the freeway. I want to sell my house and move into an apartment, but it seems to me I might want to start looking at senior housing, instead.

I don't need much, if any, assistance with living, although that could change in the next few years. Should I even be thinking of senior housing? If so, how do I find it?

[42bambi]

1. Google search, type in - find senior housing near me...good luck!

[wryter2000]

2. Thanks for the info

I'll try that

[applegrove]

3. My parents lived in senior retirement housing. It was very expensive.

Still they were able to stay together until my mom passed. In the end both were in wheelchairs and the assisted bathrooms were a godsend. Not to mention the amazing healthcare aides. We then moved my father into a city run nursing home. Much cheaper and all the issues we struggled with to solve my parents increasing mobility problems were all solved at the nursing home. It is really nice not to have to manage anything. My dad is happy there. If only we all knew the trajectory of our lives we could choose the right thing. But i can't complain. We've always had the best assistance, as my parents could afford it.

[wryter2000]

7. Thanks

I'm glad you've had a good outcome for your parents.

[CountAllVotes]

4. Good question

If I was you, I'd stay in your house as long as you possibly can.

If you need some help, hire someone to help you.

I've seen much in the past 10 years of people that sold their homes to end up in a retirement community of sorts.

Many were not happy and missed their home.

They were also faced with paying rent as much as $1500 a month. Many places do not allow pets.
Many places do not allow a lot of other things you've perhaps taken for granted, like having your own space and no one telling you what you can and cannot do.

And, they can always raise the rent whenever they want (unless it is rent controlled).

If you really think you want to move, I'd look around in the area you want to move to and ask others living there if they like it.

Signed,

A home owner that paid way to much rent for 25+ years who is not going anywhere (hopefully!).

[wryter2000]

8. My house needs lots and lots of repairs

The housing market in Oakland, where I live, is crazy now. Everything is going for really high prices. I'm afraid a real estate bubble will burst, and I'll be stuck in a house I just can't deal with.

I'd love $1,500 in rent. Rents in Oakland go as high as over $4,000 for an apartment in a luxury building.

[CountAllVotes]

11. Oakland

Well, if I'd known that, I'd have advised differently!

I actually was given a house in Oakland in the late '90s and oh what a mess it was!

It would have taken more than I had to fix-it so I know what you mean.

It was in the Santa Fe neighborhood.

Today it is worth close to $1 million and it is a dump!

Head north if you can, that is what I did and number of years ago however.

If you'd like info. as to where to head in northern Calif. let me know as I'm pretty sure I can help you.

Take care and btw, I don't blame you one bit!!

[wryter2000]

12. Thanks

I want to stay in Oakland if at all possible. I truly love the city, and I absolutely could not live somewhere without the diversity here. There are so many gorgeous places in Gold Country, but I have my church and my local romance writers here.

I'll take you up on your offer if I change my mind.

[CountAllVotes]

14. Best of luck

My friend in S.F. has a sister living in "low income" housing. It is a 1-bedroom apt. in Marin for $1100.00/mo.

I don't know how she makes it living on next to nothing and forking all of that out.

As for you, I'd get an estimate on how much to fix everything from a contractor.

That house in Oakland that I mentioned was sold to a broker for less than 50K because it would not pass code to be sold.

It was a tremendous loss for my late Dad (who the house basically belonged to).

[3Hotdogs]

5. Municipal or county social service office should have recommendations.

[wryter2000]

9. Good idea

I'm making a note to do that.

[snowybirdie]

6. We found a great place

at a website called 55plus.com. Check it out! Good luck

[wryter2000]

10. Thank you

I will definitely check that out.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

13. Something to keep in mind is that too many seniors

wait too long to move into the right kind of senior housing. They will be determined to stay in their own home when it's falling apart around them, they can't really do things for themselves like fixing meals, and once they can't really drive, they become very isolated. Or worse yet, keep on driving long after they shouldn't.

From what you've posted, this is a very good time for you to be checking into this. If you find a place that looks appealing, visit and talk to residents. If possible, talk to the children or grandchildren who are visiting.

You haven't said if you have any of your own, which makes a huge difference. What I will say, is that if you have no children, no siblings (or ones who are older so they probably won't survive you), no cousins or nieces/nephews you are close to, start looking very closely at end of life issues. Make sure you have a will. Make sure you have all of the health care advisories you need and that they are in the hands of appropriate people and posted prominently in your residence.

I am the same age, although I have no mobility problems. I have one grown son, all of my paperwork in order. No doubt certain specifics will change in the coming years, but for now I feel pretty good about things. I live in Santa Fe, NM, and would love to live here the rest of my life. But currently my son is on the East Coast, and I'd rather not be so far away from him, which means I may relocate down the road to be closer.

Anyway, good for you for thinking ahead like this. And keep us informed as to what you find out.

[wryter2000]

15. Thanks

A lot to think about. No kids. I have a brother and a sister, but in different parts of the country.

[mahina]

16. Heree, Catholic Charities keeps a database. Call

If they’re in your area and see. They don’t care if you’re Catholic or not.

The list includes senior housing at market and affordable rates. Or what goes for affordable now.

[wryter2000]

17. Thank you!

[LeftInTX]

18. You will probably be able to find an apartment easily for age 55 and older

I don't know what the advantage is or if they cost more than other apartments. (Usually they're close to medical centers and things like that) They don't provide meals or anything like that.
They have plenty of them around here. If you haven't found one yet, often doctor's offices will have guides.

[samnsara]

20. the ones in our town are all on the same side of town where the medical centers are ...

....and the assisted living and nursing homes are in the same area. Kinda gloomy.





Check on the site A Place for Mom...

[samnsara]

19. a cpl retirement communities in our small town so I bet you have one close by..

...most are homes you can buy (not rent!)...lots of covenants and rules esp with animals and kids visiting. I put my dad in one and he lasted a year. I would never live in one (here)...too many rules and the modular homes for sale there are very nice, but really the last place to live before assisted living then nursing home care.


If you have any health issues now as young as you are then go for it