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Weighing the Pros of Cons of Both Approaches
As people get older, one of the biggest decisions that they will have to make is where and how they want to live. For many older adults, the choice comes down to either staying in their current home or moving to a life plan retirement community. Each option comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks and understanding them can help you or your loved one make the best decision for the next chapter of life.
Staying at Home – Pros and Cons
Many older adults who reach out to eliseo let us know that they have been in their current home for 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years! There is a comfort that comes from being surrounded by the home, neighbors and neighborhood that you have known for a long time. Whether it is true or not, many people view a move to a retirement community as giving up control over their routines and lifestyle. On the flip side of that, staying at home is often perceived as a way to maintain control or independence. Many people we speak to inform us that they own their homes outright which means their monthly costs associated with mortgage and home upkeep are minimal. The move to a retirement community can be seen as incurring additional costs that you don’t currently have.
While many people have paid off their homes, that does not absolve them from the upkeep – yard work, repairs, and ongoing maintenance that can become more challenging and even dangerous over time. While the familiarity of a neighborhood is nice, aging in home, particularly if mobility becomes an issue, can lead to isolation, especially if friends move or family members live far away. Finally, if health care needs increase, it can become complicated and costly to bring in the care that someone needs. Emergency response times can also be slower while at home due to the transit times for help to reach you combined with someone’s ability to alert the appropriate support agency in the first place.
Moving to a Life Plan Retirement Community – Pros and Cons
Leaving a home and moving to a retirement community can seem like a drastic change for someone who has been in the same place for several decades. However, life plan retirement communities like eliseo provide all levels of care eliminating the need for any additional moves in the future. Independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support are all on one campus so that no matter what happens in your life, the care that you need is all in one place. Home maintenance is a thing of the past when you move to a life plan community. Many communities take care of all maintenance, some going as far as changing light bulbs when they go out or swapping out batteries in beeping smoke detectors. While many people moving to retirement communities mourn moving away from friends and neighbors, they are pleasantly surprised to find a whole new group of people to connect with. From fitness classes to art groups to gardening aficionados and book clubs, retirement communities offer residents a large group of similarly aged people to connect and build new friendships with.
Just like there are downsides to trying to age in your home, there are downsides to making a move to a retirement community. The most obvious one is the initial move. Packing up and moving your entire life to someplace new can be physically and emotionally demanding. Many communities offer moving and downsizing support, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are leaving your home for something new and unfamiliar. For people who have been in their homes for a long time, the thought of paying a monthly fee can seem like a financial burden. Most life plan communities offer multiple contract types that change the associated fees so finding something that works within your budget is very doable, but the move will require you to do some financial planning to make sure that you are comfortable with the costs that come with the move. Finally, the majority of people who move into retirement communities need to do some downsizing. The process can seem daunting and the thought of giving away items that you have had for years can be painful. The good news is that the new apartment should have more than enough room for your prized possessions and it gives you a good excuse to get rid of some of the “junk” that keeps getting squirreled away in the garage and attic.
Final Thoughts
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Staying at home can work well for some, especially with strong family support or in-home care. But for others, a life plan community like eliseo offers not just security and convenience, but a chance to thrive in a supportive and engaging environment.
If you’re considering your options, we invite you to visit eliseo. Walk our campus, meet our residents, and see for yourself what life can look like when your future is thoughtfully planned.