COMMENTS

14 responses to “Can You Afford Senior Living Housing?”

1. Thank you for the advice and information. I retired 3 years ago at 70 and looking at over 55 communities near my family. Unfortunately the real estate market and mortgage rates have not been in my favor, hope to get something soon!

   Reply to EA

2. My husband and I have been in a senior community in Columbia Md. for two years and we are happy here. It is a rental, so no huge deposits. However we have an assisted living unit and a memory care unit….no nursing care. I am in good shape, but my husband is incapacitated by a stroke. Had I stayed in my home, I would not be able to get out much and would have little contact with people. Here i am part of a large community where my needs for social contact are satisfied…

   Reply to Mary Donegan

3. I would like to hear about 55+ communities. Has anyone looked into these communities? I am looking at one in Laurel MD. I believe these communities are different from senior living facilities. Is that correct?

   Reply to Cynthia

   1. I live in a 55+ community. This community has an activity director, and includes, pool, hot tub, small gym with a bistro, bar-b-que, community room, library, and activity room. There is no food service on the property. All units have full kitchens and washer and dryer. Care services are residents responsibility to arrange.
      This 55+ community has a wide range of ages. About 1/3 are still working and only occasionally show up for planned events.

      Reply to Jim Kay

4. You really need to do your due diligence. Don’t go by some slick ad! Try to find someone who knows someone who lives in that senior apartment complex you’re considering. That’s how you’ll find out whether it’s a good place to live. Some elderly housing management companies don’t care about their residents. It’s all about the people in charge. When visiting the site for an application, look around and see how well kept up the place is, whether garbage is piled up in the refuse rooms, etc.

   Reply to LAF

5. Mr. Brooks covered every aspect about senior housing options.
   The bottom line is money. I know the difference just from knowing what’s available in my area. One couple I know saved for many years because they wanted to go into the best one . My sister had no money & had to go into nursing home using Medicaid. There’s a big difference that’s for sure.

   Reply to Ellie

6. Thank you. Most helpful.
   I wonder if Medicare or another government or private group would help pay some of the cost if your money runs out.
   It is inconcievablemy family would pay, and I can no longer work.

   Reply to Nancy H

7. Thank you so much Mr. Brooks, for very good, sound advice and information on the matter. I’m not at that point yet (though I’m almost 97 yo), but I want to keep this important information with me in case I do need it before my end :)
   Right now my problem is fear of fraud when I’m gone since I no longer have family or close friends to see that fraud isn’t perpetrated. If anyone has ideas, other than “trust your lawyer, executor, etc.” please share with me? Thanks in advance. :)

   Reply to Rosedala

   1. Hello Rosedala,
      That is great you doing well at 97!
      The fraud/scam issue is a scary one to think about. My father (who just turned 90 and is now in a memory care unit) almost lost just about everything to a scam/fraudster. AARP has some great resources on this:
      https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
      The one that hit home for me was the article on “keep those with cognitive decline safe from scams.” …

      Reply to Rob

   2. Hello Rosedala,
      That is great you doing well at 97! The fraud/scam issue is a scary one to think about. My father (who just turned 90 and is now in a memory care unit) almost lost just about everything to a scam/fraudster. AARP has some great resources on this: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
      The one that hit home for me was the article on “keep those with cognitive decline safe from scams.” …

      Reply to rob

   3. My father fortunately had an excellent financial advisor who immediately called me when my father put in the request to liquidate his retirement account. I had to call and convince him to stop the liquidation. Fraudsters know how to manipulate people, leading them to be suspicious of those they can trust. Talk with people you can trust ahead of time. Figure out a plan to protect your funds My father’s financial advisor suggested that both he and I must both agree and sign off on major transfers.

      Reply to Rob

8. I have the ability to evaluate senior housing options, but affordability
   continues to be the most disqualifying element of available residences.
   Most Sincerely, Kate

   Reply to Kate

9. Do the research and make sure you can afford it. That’s the synopsis of this mini-article.

   Reply to Lolly

10. I think family-owned facilities are way better than corporate-owned.

    Reply to V*