Moving to Senior Living
The transition to senior living doesn't happen immediately. You have to research senior living, find out what's available, understand the fees, and budget accordingly. Years ago, when we moved my father-inlaw to senior living, we reserved a unit for ourselves.
"If you plan to live here within the next 10 years or more, you need to make a reservation now," the marketing manager explained. "Move when you're able to take advantage of what we have to offer." We took his advice and paid a $1,000 deposit, which was put in a special account and earns interest.
When is it time to move to senior living? That's the question we, and perhaps you, keep asking. Each person is different and has different reasons for moving. After weeks of thought, we identified the four top things that will determine when we move. These factors may apply to you.
Family responsibility is at the top of our list. After our daughter and former son-in-law were killed in separate car crashes, we were appointed as our grandchidren's legal guardians. Our grandchildren are fraternal twins and moved in with us when they were 15 years old. Both graduated from high school with honors and are incoming college sophomores today.
Though we are no longer their guardians, the twins still live with us, and need a place to come home to at holiday time and in the summer. We won't move until they graduate from college and graduate school.
Health is the second factor on our list and could easily become the first. Like many older adults, my husband and I have health problems and take prescribed medication. Our health is generally good. But health can change quickly if one of us has a heart attack, stroke, or is diagnosed with chronic illness. As long as we are in good health we will stay in our home.
Personal safety is another factor. Virginia McDaniel, MS writes about this issue in her "Living Well" magazine article, "Moving to Senior Housing, When and Why." According to McDaniel, unsafe driving is