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You know you have options, but which type of living situation is best for you? Not to mention, when is the "right" time for you to begin this next chapter of your life? To help you narrow down the choices, here are a few questions to ask yourself:                                            

• What is my current situation, and what do I see on the horizon?

• How is my health right now?

• What is my schedule like?

• Do I have anything planned over the next couple of years, like a trip?

• Am I about to have a new grandchild?
  Do I want to only make one move? Or am I okay with moving again if my health care needs change?                  

• What needs and wants are at the top of my list?

• Do I want to live close to my family?

• Do I want a social environment?

• Would I like on-site health care?                  

• What outside amenities need to be near me? Is there a shopping mall or community centre nearby? Is it near my church?                  

• What is my timeline for moving, and do I need to plan earlier?                  

• Would I prefer moving in the spring, summer, winter or fall?

The main differences in housing options will be in the amount of care provided for activities of daily living and for medical care as well as the level of independence you can maintain on your own. When researching housing options, there are three very important issues to address:

• make sure you are realistic about the required level of care you need, 

• whether the housing option can provide that care

• and whether you can afford that option

Buy or rent a condo

• Maintenance-Free Living is one of the biggest benefits of condo living for seniors. This means that you don’t have to worry about the maintenance and upkeep of a house or yard. 

• Accessible Amenities. Many condo buildings offer amenities such as fitness centres, swimming pools, and social spaces that are easily accessible to seniors. This can help seniors stay active, socialize with others, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

• Increased Safety and Security is a Bonus Benefit of Condo Living for Seniors Condo living for seniors provides an added layer of security with features such as secure entrances and 24/7 security personnel.In addition, many seniors appreciate the sense of community and support that comes with living in a condo building.

• Close Proximity to Services Condos are often located in close proximity to services such as healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and public transportation. In addition, living in a condo can provide opportunities for social engagement, with access to community events and activities.

• Affordability Condo living can be a more affordable option for seniors compared to owning a house. With the money saved on home maintenance and upkeep, seniors can put their resources towards other things that matter to them.

The "Granny Flat" or Coach house

• Essentially, this type of home is a second dwelling (something like a mini- bungalow) on someone’s property— normally an adult child and his or her family. This type of arrangement offers several benefits to seniors and their family members, including: 

• The opportunity to live independently and with autonomy, but with the peace of mind that someone is available if help is needed

• The chance to spend more time with family members (including young grandchildren, who can easily visit their grandparent on the same property)

• Privacy when needed

• Cost savings—as renovating this kind of dwelling can sometimes
  cost significantly less than the fees associated with living in a retirement facility

Independent retirement living

• Independent living communities are designed for healthy, active seniors who do not need assistance with activities of daily living such as grooming, personal care and eating. Independent living for seniors can range from luxury communities that offer gourmet dining and golf courses to age restricted apartment or condominium complexes for older adults. These communities are typically private pay and offer optional services such as housekeeping, meals and laundry.

• Other Names for Independent Living:
  55+ Communities
  Active Adult Communities Adult Lifestyle Communities Life-lease Communities Retirement Communities Retirement Homes
  Senior Apartments
  Seniors Housing    

• Independent Retirement Living Features: Apartment-style one to two bedroom units in a community setting, Convenient location to retail shops and recreational activities, Community features like gardens, pools, golf courses, hair salons and fitness centers, Options for housekeeping, meals, laundry and transportation 

Assisted living

• Assisted living communities provide supportive housing and care to seniors who need some assistance with daily tasks, but who do not require the skilled care provided at a long-term care home. Assisted living is a viable option for adults who are mostly independent, but who require some assistance with day-to-day living, or anticipate needing assistance in the near future.

• Assisted living communities come in all shapes and sizes. They can be towering apartment buildings in urban centers, sprawling complexes in the suburbs or more intimate communities catering to a relatively small number of residents, and can be found in most Canadian cities. Residents live in private one- to-two-bedroom apartments, studios or “bachelors units.” Meal-service is included, so kitchenettes are more typical in assisted living units than full kitchens.

• Assisted Living Features:
  Access to visiting or on-staff health care professionals such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses and physicians.vAssistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and mobility.vHealth and exercise programs • Housekeeping and laundry. Meal service. Medication management.

A new chapter is on the horizon for you, and you need to know that you are not alone. Krista Lachapelle has helped numerous seniors make decisions, come up with a plan and implement that plan to find a better solution for where they live as they age.

When you are ready to start chatting about this huge life decision, Krista is here to make your decision about retirement living as easy as possible. Together, you can sift through the many choices available—and even create a timeline to help you prepare for this next chapter of your life. She has a roster of "down-sizing" specialists, lawyers and handy people who can help to make this seemingly daunting task much easier on you.

Cal Krista Lachapelle today at (905) 251-9699 or email her at krista@real-estate-for-real-life.com.

Aging in Place...It sounds so warm and fuzzy that most people entering their retirement years say that's exactly what they would like to do. It seems like an easy choice, but it's really one of life's most difficult decisions.

The choice is this: Do you want to “age in place,” that is, remain in your home among familiar surroundings; or would it be better to move into an environment that provides the ongoing resources and services you need to live a happy, secure and fulfilling life? 

The general belief is this: if you are healthy, active and live near family members, the decision is easy. You should stay put. And today, with aging- in-place services abounding — including everything from in-home health attendants to delivered convenience meals — there really is no good reason to consider changing your living arrangements. Or is there? 

Because everyone is unique, and there are no proven formulas to determine the best course of action, let’s take a closer look at nine key factors to consider when deciding if aging in place is right for you: 

Key factors to determine if aging in place is right for you: 

1. Physical health changes. We prefer to deny it, but as we age our bodies grow weaker. Even if our minds remain sharp, our physical abilities diminish. Should you need emergency care, is someone nearby to help you get it? Or are you on your own? If you have an extended hospital stay, is there someone to take care of your home? And care for you when you get back home? 

2. Mental health changes. My friend first realized that her mother’s mental state was changing when she got lost driving home from a shop she frequented. Then she started repeating herself, telling me the same thing three or four times within a five-minute phone conversation, then calling her back to tell me the same thing again. Physically, she was as healthy as she had ever been. But, she soon stopped preparing meals, bathing regularly, or on some days, even getting out of bed. There sometimes come a point where people need round-the-clock supervision and care. 

3. Everyday tasks. When you’re strong and healthy, you think you’ll never need help with everyday tasks like raking leaves, vacuuming floors, or even washing dishes. But as we age, these chores become more difficult. What about more personal tasks, like bathing? If you need help, have you identified the family member who will assist you? If that family member becomes unavailable, will you need a home health aide? If you do not have family or friends nearby, then you have fewer sources of available unpaid care, and a higher cost for living independently. 

4. Home Maintenance. Don’t forget about the more labor- intensive home maintenance tasks that you don’t think twice about doing yourself now. Cleaning out the gutters becomes a daunting task if you have begun to feel unsteady on a ladder. Even changing overhead light bulbs, washing windows and dragging the garbage cans to the curb can be difficult. The independence you achieve by remaining in your home is easily compromised by the struggle to perform these once-routine tasks. Many people who have relocated into condos or retirement communities discover that freedom from home maintenance is the greatest freedom of all. 

5. Security. As neighbourhoods age and commercial districts encroach upon residential areas, security becomes a genuine issue. Security systems are not foolproof, response times can be slow, and many older homes do not have adequate safeguards, such as deadbolts and exterior lighting. Condos and other retirement communities are generally secure. Grounds and entrances are usually monitored, and many have round-the- clock security staffs. In addition, many retirement residences come equipped with emergency call buttons, which summon immediate assistance, whether for a health problem or a safety issue.

6. Social Life and Companionship. When they retire, many people are excited by the freedom to finally spend some time by themselves, enjoying hobbies like reading and gardening. Many of these soon long for the social interactions from their workplace. Even those not in the work force find their circle of friends gradually diminishes, and living alone adds to the isolation. The opportunity to make new friends and enjoy new experiences is an often-overlooked benefit of moving to a condo or retirement community. In most retirement communities, there are planned activities ranging from bridge tournaments to lectures to dance classes to shopping expeditions — even golf outings and woodworking equipment. If you don’t like planned activities, you can make new friends to enrich your life, people you may never have met by staying in your home. Senior Living is a time for adventure and fresh experiences, not a time to become a recluse. 

7. Transportation. If driving becomes difficult, you will have to rely on family or friends for shopping transportation, for trips to the doctor’s office, even if you want to just visit a friend. Most condos are located close to or on bus routes, and most retirement communities provide regular transportation to shopping malls, grocery stores, movie theatres, doctors offices, and other routine trips. 

8. Meals and Nutrition. Cooking can become more of a chore and less of a pleasure — especially if you’re cooking for one. Unfortunately, this leads to irregular mealtimes and poor nutrition. And, poor nutrition causes illness and chronic bad health. Many retirement communities have attractive dining rooms with meal plans. Residents find that mealtimes are among the most enjoyable times of the day. The food is nutritious and appealing, and it’s a wonderful occasion to socialize with your friends. 

9. Home Modifications. Finally, to remain in your home, you will very probably need to make modifications. These can be very simple, such as the addition of grab bars in the shower or tub; or significant and costly, such as adding a bedroom and/or bathroom to the main floor, or even installing an elevator or a ramp. Retirement communities are built with an aging population in mind. They are safer, more convenient, and healthier places in which to live.   

A new chapter is on the horizon for you, and you need to know that you are not alone. Krista Lachapelle has helped numerous seniors make decisions, come up with a plan and implement that plan to find a better solution for where they live as they age.

When you are ready to start chatting about this huge life decision, Krista is here to make your decision about retirement living as easy as possible. Together, you can sift through the many choices available—and even create a timeline to help you prepare for this next chapter of your life. She has a roster of "down-sizing" specialists, lawyers and handy people who can help to make this seemingly daunting task much easier on you.

Cal Krista Lachapelle today at (905) 251-9699 or email her at krista@real-estate-for-real-life.com.