Planning a Move To Senior Housing? The Risks Of Waiting

By Shannon Quinn, Marketing & Sales Counselor

Spring Hills Mount Vernon

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Planning a Move To Senior Housing? The Risks Of Waiting

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services website www.longtermcare.gov, 70 percent of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of long-term care, which can mean assistance at home or in a facility. The duration and level of long term care will vary from person-to-person, depending upon their age and circumstance.

It is easy to assume that the move might mean that you are giving up your independence, but in reality you are gaining more than you might think, if you are making the move while in a healthy state. The healthier you are when you move into a community of your choosing, the easier the transition is for you, both mentally and physically which speaks to a better overall quality of life. Plus, there is less of a burden on loved ones in having to make the decision for you.

What you don't want to do is wait too long and ultimately have an accident like a serious fall dictate your circumstances as to where you can live, which can turn into measuring higher long term costs against life expectancy and personal finances, while trying to maintain a level of quality care. When this happens, you can be sure that the choices become slimmer and the quality of life can be severely compromised.

This can lead to unnecessary burden on family members, costly long-term care plans which can inevitably lead to family tension and financial burdens, especially if you do not have an aging plan in place. Other risks are that the place(s) that were your first choice may not be available any longer. You also may not be able to partake in activities as much, which actually compromises your independence even more.

It is recommended to get your affairs in order while you and your spouse are healthy and not leave it up to family, especially while in the midst of a crisis. Advance care planning is critical to do when you're in a healthy state.

The American Bar Association is a great resource for researching this topic. Second, make your decisions known to family members and loved ones. Make sure you update your documents appropriately as recommended by your attorney or agency providing the documents so that your wishes are honored and remain current.