Moving on Up or Moving on Out? What are the best options for Baby Boomers or their older family members to consider?

As baby boomers begin to approach retirement age the trend toward downsizing and purchasing retirement homes has become increasingly commonplace over the past several years.  Like all other long term planning the ideal situation is when there is both time and ability to navigate all available choices in the local marketplace.  Unfortunately however, often times the decision can be forced upon suddenly due to an impending health situation.  In these cases there may be less choice out there as a move may need to be expedited.  Either way it can become overwhelming to explore the many available living options.  Click here for a Checklist of typical things Boomers look for when searching for a new home.

I have put together a brief overview of the types of housing choices below.  Since earning my SRES designation I have been visiting and getting to know a bit about communities available to my senior clients in the marketplace.   I primarily serve both metro-west Boston and the Mashpee/New Seabury area on Cape Cod.  One of my goals is to comprise a referral base of places I am aware of and I am happy to share this with my clients.  I am constantly posting relevant articles as I read them on my Facebook page @wendybcb.

In yesterday's Boston Globe there was an article exploring the choices in over 55 communities which you can read by clicking.  55 Plus.   Beyond the communities mentioned in the article there are many other types of communities available for our aging population as noted below.  In my previous blog on 2/12/17 titled "Keeping It Local While Aging in Place" I discussed the age in place concept so I will not cover this option now but instead have listed alternative Senior Housing Options below.  


Senior Housing Options (*)
Senior housing is categorized by the level of care available to residents. At one end of the spectrum, there are communities that offer little or no care; at the other, facilities that provide continuous care. Between those extremes are a wide range of housing choices that can meet changing needs.

Independent Living: Condos, townhouses and single family homes that are smaller and more maintenance free than large family properties are frequently people's first choice, especially if they're healthy and active.

Active Adult Senior Retirement Homes and Communities: Active adult senior retirement homes and communities aim to service the interests of active adults over the age of 55. Housing types often include condos, townhouses and single-family properties, and all are designed with an eye toward delivering a maintenance-free lifestyle for residents. Such communities offer a vast array of on-site activities, including exercise, social clubs, art instruction and lecture series.

Assisted Living Senior Retirement Homes and Communities: Residents live in their own apartments, but have the benefit of an on-site staff, meal service in communal dining spaces, and planned activities and outings. Some assisted living communities also offer access to nurses and daily living assistance. Others may offer more extensive medical and personal services.

Adult Family Senior Retirement Homes: Such properties are licensed to care for up to six residents in a home setting. Services typically include meals and housing maintenance and attending to residents' safety and care. Facilities may specialize in addressing specific health concerns and provide care and an environment tailored to those conditions.

Alzheimer's and Dementia Care: Facilities specialize in caring for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease offer programs that address residents' needs and provide an environment where they can live safely. Housing services typically include personal care, such as bathing and dressing and administering medicine, along with dining and housekeeping. In addition, many buildings incorporate over 50 design features, such as safe wandering paths and color coded areas to help with way-finding. Such designs provide comfort and ease residents' anxiety.

Continuing Care Retirement Living Communities: A Continuing Care Retirement Living Community offer progressive levels of assistance, depending on a person's needs. They include independent and assisted living and nursing care.

A realtor who has earned the SRES designation has studied and is very familiar with all phases related to assisting and guiding more senior clients as they prepare to transition from their family home setting to their next phase.  If you have or know anyone who may be thinking about moving or is approaching this decision point please feel free to reach out to me as a referral.   My email is wendy.bornstein@nemoves.com.

* Source SRES.ORG