Good senior housing can be hard to find. Knowing what to
look for can help you pick the right home for you. Here's what you need to
consider when trying to pick somewhere you can age in place.
1. Walkability
If your eyesight or reflexes are deteriorating or if you get
anxious behind the wheel (as many seniors do), you may benefit from living in a
walkable neighborhood. Walkability is what makes it possible for you to reach
businesses, services, and friends without driving a car. Walkability also makes
it easy for you to get exercise and stay in shape! Many things must come
together at once to make a home walkable.
Presence of Sidewalks
Sidewalks enable you to walk relatively safely from one
location to another. When driving around a potential neighborhood, look for
sidewalks on all streets. Evaluate the condition of the sidewalks. Look for
cracks, raised areas, and potholes.
Proximity to Services
Look for neighborhoods that are close to commercial areas
like grocery stores, strip malls, doctor offices, and pharmacies. Take into
consideration how far you can walk to determine which businesses are reachable
for you.
Public Transportation
As you evaluate a home, find out whether or not that home is
close to public transportation hubs, like bus stops or shuttles. Nearby bus
stops make it even more possible for you to get around without a car. Some
properties do provide transportation services to and from the doctor’s office,
grocery stores, etc.
2. Presence of Peers
Living close to other seniors will help you fight feelings
of loneliness and isolation, which is a common problem that many seniors
experience. Find out how many people your age and older live in the community
where you are thinking about living. If loneliness is a particular concern of
yours, focus your home search on senior communities and housing, where many
seniors live in one location. Property activities can include: bingo,
cards/games, entertainment, seminars, and other resident association functions.
3. Age-in-Place Features
As you tour each house you're thinking about living in, look
for presence of age-in-place features. These features include grab bars in the
bathroom, excellent lighting, and nonslip floors. Carpeting is a good feature
for seniors because it's less slippery than tile and softer in the event of a
fall.
Even features like levers instead of door knobs are better
for seniors, because they're easier to grip. Although some changes can be made
after you move in, installing age-in-place features after moving in can be
expensive. You can save money and effort by moving in someplace where the
age-in-place features are already in place.
4. Affordability
As a senior, you may be living on a fixed income. If you're
not now, you may be soon. Affordability is critical at this time in your life.
Look for a place to live that you can comfortably afford. As you're researching
the affordability of each place you're considering, ask questions like:
- How much does this property cost per month?
- How often does the rent go up?
- Are there any extra fees to be aware of?
At Robert Cottingham Company, we provide HUD subsidized
housing. This means residents pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent.
Some utilities are even included in the rent.
Knowing how much you can afford to spend each month is
useful when you begin your home search. If you haven't made a budget yet, do so
now. If you're working with family members or a real estate agent to find a
place to live, communicate this information to the people who are helping you
search for a home. When everyone knows your budget, they can help you stay on
track.
Contact Us for More Information
Finding a senior-friendly community can be a challenge, but
many good options are out there. For more information about which homes in your
community are best for seniors, contact an expert. At Robert Cottingham
Company, we're happy to answer any questions you might have about finding good
senior housing. Contact us today
to
find out more information.
