ACTIVE ADULTS & SENIOR LIVING
that can provide them with the best care. Acceptance of insurance cannot be overlooked. All this needs to be consid- ered when moving from a current circle of friends and community to a new area. This is where a real estate agent can really help a person or family trying to find a retirement situation, as the real estate agent has access to the most current facts and figures to help make an informed decision. Many who are making these decisions need to learn to be a little bit selfish, selfish in a good way, moving to a community or area that they enjoy. Many seniors are down-sizing their lifestyles and selling a home they’ve owned for 30 years. They are trading down in price range, want to be in a good area and need to select a home that’s a good investment for them. If their health is good, and they are reasonably active, they will also want an area with residents of a similar age and situation – just like them, their new neighbors have raised their kids, have a lot of interests and a lot to talk about, and can help each other.” Why Not Both – Be a Snowbird: A third option is to enjoy nice weather all year long. If you enjoy or have ties to a northern region, that can still be home during that area’s best seasons. The ideal climate in Phoenix and Tucson begins in late October and continues into early May. This period has been home to the “Snowbird” lifestyle for years. Many major events and activi- ties occur during this period offering a wide range of options for seniors in the area. Prominent is the Cactus League, the spring training league for 16 major league baseball teams. Play begins in late February with completion in early April. Senior Snowbirds generally are among the more active of retirees. They face many of the same needs and concerns as a full time residence, but are less likely to be interested in assisted or long term care alternatives. However, many of
the facilities and services in place for the permanent senior residents are also available to the part time resident. Although some retirees are able to maintain multiple full time residences, Phoenix and Tucson offer many options for winter only accommodations. Homes and Condos are available throughout the area under short term lease, usually 1-6 months. Two very popular options are RV/trailer parks and manufactured home parks. RV/trailer parks are plentiful and offer affordable rates for multiple month stays. Manufactured homes are generally an ownership only option, but are much more affordable than the tradi-tional home or condo. Many manufactured home parks offer the amenities associated with apartment or condo living, including facility and yard maintenance. SENIOR HOUSING OPTIONS The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that private senior care housing can range in cost form $20,000 to $200,000 per year, depending on the services and degree of care offered by a facility. Many senior care housing commu-nities employ medically trained staff, and provide housekeeping and meal prepara-tion services, as well as transportation for shopping, medical visits, and social outings. HUD also notes that as Baby Boomers approach their own retirement years, the trend toward creating active retirement communities where residents are involved and physically active will continue, and seniors are encouraged to live as inde-pendently as they are capable of handling. The time to begin thinking about a retirement community isn’t when you have to have it. There are not enough retirement commu-nities to keep up with the demand, and you want to be sure that you know your options and what’s available beforehand. The Internet is a good source for families to learn more about retirement communities, check on
specific programs and associated costs.
When you’re trying to stay within a particular price range match your living requirements with services offered. If you are very independent and don’t need assistance – you just want a meal plan, for example – then the associated costs are much less than for someone who requires more care.” Medicare generally does not pay for long-term care, only for services deemed medically necessary that are provided by a skilled facility or home health care that meets certain conditions. Medicaid will pay for certain health services and nursing home care for older people with low incomes and limited assets. Optimally, the selected community should have someone on staff familiar with the requirements and criteria of both programs.
ACTIVE SENIOR HOUSING COMMUNITIES
Many seniors find that they simply do not want to worry about the upkeep and main-tenance of a home, preferring to spend their leisure time in other ways. Independent seniors in good health may find they need nothing more than a community where they can fully enjoy pursuing their personal interests. For them, moving to an active independent living retirement community might be the best fit for their budget and lifestyle, where options include renting an apartment or the outright purchase of a property in a senior community. Many active senior communities have infor-mation packets that may be requested in advance, and offer tours of the community itself. A personal visit will give valuable, first-hand information and an opportu-nity to visit with current residents who can offer their own experiences and provide an insider’s view on the community. Be sure to determine that personal interests and pursuits are offered, such as health and fitness programs, organized activities, sports,
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