Making the Switch to Senior Living
Whether it’s yourself or a loved one, switching to (some type of) assisted living is rarely met with the same excitement as, say, a first-time home purchase. In fact, many families avoid the topic altogether for fear of emotions running high and facing all of the financial and logistical challenges. We don’t blame them!
However, as with all life changes, a little planning and a shift in mindset can help make a challenge less scary. When exploring senior living options, we find that questions and concerns tend to fall into three categories: financial, emotional, and logistical. So, let’s remove some of the mystery and dive into what to consider when switching to senior living.
Financial Preparation
According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in western Washington State is $5,500 per month. While this cost changes depending on the level of care needed, the price tag usually comes as a shock, especially upon learning that Medicare does not cover long-term care. To learn about different types of assisted living, we suggest checking out this resource from SeniorLiving.com.
A local resource is the Northwest Regional Council which has locations in Mount Vernon and Bellingham. Their goal is to help educate local community members on the different types of facilities and financial resources that are available.
Once you determine the level of care needed and which financial resources are applicable, you’ll be better equipped to research and tour individual facilities. This process is best done in advance when you and your loved ones can make decisions with a clear head and not as a reaction to an emergency.
Questions to consider when financially preparing to switch to senior living:
- How important is it that we choose a facility that can accommodate needs that change over time? (i.e. Illness progression, changes in mobility.)
- What other services does the facility/community offer? (Housekeeping, dining, fitness spaces, enrichment, etc.)
- What other costs do we need to factor into the financial planning? (Home repairs, facility deposit, moving company, etc.)
Emotional Preparation
For many, transitioning to senior living symbolizes lost independence and moving into the final stages of life. While it’s important to position this change positively, it’s critical to acknowledge and validate the discomfort of a huge life change, especially if it’s preceded by the loss of a spouse. Try to remember that fear and excitement are not mutually exclusive (and can exist at the same time!) The pride, memories, and hard work of maintaining a home create strong emotional ties that can leave people feeling a great sense of loss.
Talk about the switch early!
Many families postpone this conversation for too long, then an accident or medical crisis can suddenly necessitate a higher level of care. The earlier you talk about a plan for senior living, the greater chances your loved one is making the decision on their own terms. Plus, talking about things in advance creates space to process the emotions that inevitably crop up from a big life change.
If you’re struggling to speak with a loved one about planning for senior living, read these tips on tackling tough conversations.
Logistical Preparation
Finally, there is preparing for the actual move! The steps involved will differ greatly from person to person. But, chances are you or your family will help with the selling of a house or a move from an existing residence. As if these tasks aren’t enough stress, there will likely be other obstacles to overcome such as finding item storage for extra belongings that won’t fit in the new living space or a list of repairs that need to be made to the previous residence before it’s vacated or listed on the market.
If possible, we recommend that the house be empty prior to putting it on the market so buyers can have an easier time envisioning themselves living in the space.
Logistical tasks to work on and plan for in advance…
- Pare down belongings months, if not years in advance. Belongings can really pile up through the years and can be logistically and emotionally painful to sort through on short notice.
- Find a storage solution for items that need to be kept but won’t fit in the new space.
- Prep the house for moving or selling by performing maintenance and repairs in advance. If you need to hire professionals, then book services and repairs early.
- When it comes time to move, determine who will handle the packing, storage, moving, and unpacking.
- Find a real estate agent early and tell them about your situation. You might be surprised to learn the tips and tricks our brokers have picked up in their years of experience.
If you or a loved one is ready to make the switch to senior living and need help selling a house as part of the process, give us a call at (360) 757-6013. We would love to help make your transition a smooth one!
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