Your golden years are shining bright! More than 50% of adults aged 55 and older are retired. Many of them live full lives pursuing their passions and seeing the world.
You should expect to have a lot of fun while you are retired. Yet you should think about retirement living options. You have many to choose from, and picking the right one can set you up for the rest of your life.
How can you stay in your home? What exactly is assisted living? Is staying in a nursing home really so bad?
Answer these questions and you can find the perfect retirement home for the next few decades. Here is your quick guide.
In-Home Assisted Living
You can stay in your home while receiving assistance from others. Your children can put up mobility aids like handrails so you can get around your home easier. An aide or a nurse can give you medicine and therapy for chronic pain and persistent medical problems.
Living in your current home can give you stability and comfort. However, you may need to make extensive modifications if your flooring is uneven or if parts of your home are hard to access. Be willing to spend some money on renovations so you can get around more easily.
Independent Living Communities
You can go to many different independent living communities. Age-restricted communities are communities limited to residents of a certain age. Housing is inexpensive and easy to find, but these communities do not provide health care services.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) have many different services. You can find an independent living facility, a nursing care home, and a senior care facility all on one campus. If you think you may need additional support in the future, you may want to find a CCRC.
Some facilities are simply called independent living communities. This means that residents can come and go as they please while receiving basic services. A nurse may live on-site, and you may be able to get shuttle rides to important locations, but that is the extent of the offered services.
Nursing Homes
A nursing home provides full-time support to people with significant medical conditions or very old age. Housekeepers and recreational staff stay on site, and they attend to all of your needs.
Many people are afraid about going to a nursing home. But a nursing home can give you all of the support you need. You can visit your home and your friends and family, and a home can give you a ride to wherever you need to go.
Your Best Retirement Living Options
Retirement living options can be confusing, so get the essentials. Live-in nurses and aides can help you stay in your home. If you need a little more support or affordable housing, you can go to an independent living facility.
Nursing homes are best when you have a serious medical condition like cancer and you need ongoing support. You do not have to go to a nursing home if you’re capable of taking care of yourself.
If you don’t know where to live, keep doing your research. Read more guides to retirement planning and living by following our coverage.
