Should you move to a senior community?

THIS IS THE TIME >> if you are a senior — when you begin to receive multiple flyers espousing the benefits of senior communities and inviting you to visit. The photographs are tempting. You probably also noted receipt of postcards, flyers and even phone calls asking you to sell your house “as is” making no repairs.

Admittedly it can be tempting to think of the big move when you come home and find a leaking roof or a patio door that will not close properly. Should you pick up and go or make modifications where you are? Here are some considerations with a balanced view to either side.

What is the cost either way? There are different types of senior communities. For some you pay on a monthly basis with no commitment. You can factor in your monthly income and their monthly charges remembering also that, on the positive side, you probably have savings and also the proceeds from the sale of your house but also remembering to include other expenses such as desired travel and so on. These communities also generally include meals in their charges and probably transportation as well as other amenities, some of which are included and some are add-ons.

Another type of community, the continuing care retirement community, generally requires a large upfront payment, which often is satisfied from the sale of your house, but offers the ability to move from independent living (often an apartment but sometimes a house or cottage), to assisted living if needed, and then to skilled nursing for the most comprehensive care all while staying on the same campus. This is sometimes very helpful when one spouse is less well than the other and allows both spouses to stay close by if not in the same unit. These communities may have a “life care” provision and some have Medicaid that could cover skilled nursing costs where applicable. The calculations here could be more complicated and our office can help with that.

If you consider staying in your house some costs to be factored in include, in addition to meals, home repairs, property taxes (in a few continuing care retirement communities you might also have property taxes if you have a life estate in your unit, you need to check), utilities, the size of your home (is it too large for your current needs or possibly too small?), and a need for major renovations.

Location and socialization. If you move you might consider whether you can still live close to family members and friends and what social activities are available. Sometimes a key motivator is knowing that current friends have already moved to the community. Communities have begun to recognize that residents come with many outside interests, talents, and endeavors and some provide opportunities to continue them.

Sentiment, cleanout, affordability and moving costs. Several factors play out keeping people in the home where they raised their children and have lived many years. Sentiment is a one of the major ones. It might not seem closely related to cleanout but it is. If you have difficulty downsizing because so many items are emotionally important or if you really do have items in the house of value that you never want to leave (my mother’s house was my grandmother’s house before her) it can be hard to leave even for a more modern, more stress free environment.

Moving costs can factor in. One of my favorite shows is “Love It or List It” on Home and Garden TV. Often I suspect couples who choose to “love it” and stay at home do so since, after major repairs and adjustments are made to their current residence they do not want to face moving to a new location. It admittedly can be stressful. For some it is worth it. For others, not so much.

What to do now regardless of your decision. If you have been in your home for several years now you have probably accumulated more belongings than you need or even want. Now is the time to separate what you really want from what has lost its usefulness (or never had any). Whether you stay or go, it helps. Good luck!

Janet Colliton, Esq. is a Certified Elder Law Attorney and limits her practice to elder law, retirement, life care, special needs, and estate planning and administration with offices at 790 East Market St., Suite. 250, West Chester, PA 19382, 610436-6674Call via Mitel , colliton@collitonlaw.com. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and, with Jeffrey Jones, CSA, cofounder of Life Transition Services, LLC, a service for families with long term care needs.