Living on your own for longer

I recently attended an Aging in Place seminar where I learned about several different options older adults are employing to stay independent in the community for as long as possible. By the time older clients contact us, they have decided their current home is no longer right for them. Maybe they are downsizing because with the children out of the house they don’t need all that space, perhaps they are tired of maintaining their home, maybe they have health limitations that make their current home inaccessible, maybe they feel isolated and alone. Whatever the reason, we don’t typically hear from people until they have decided to move so it was interesting to learn about services and organizations out there that help older adults stay in their home, and their community, for longer.

One common reason people decide to move is the difficulty maintaining their home. Umbrella of the Capital Region is a membership based organization that helps seniors maintain their homes by matching them with handy people. There is an annual, income-based membership fee and members pay $15 an hour for jobs, which range from cleaning, transportation, landscaping and small fix-it tasks. If you are looking for a bit of help with the burden of household and personal tasks, this might be a great option to explore.

Another possibility is to move to a Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) where staff coordinate services and resources that help seniors maintain their quality of life and independence. There is a NNORC in Albany that is supported by funding from the NYS Office for the Aging and is located in the Whitehall neighborhood (click here for a map). Whether you happen to already live within the boundaries of the neighborhood, or choose to move into it, it’s a great way to have both the independence of your own home along with the social events and supports that are already in place.

Another interesting option I learned about was the “Village Movement”, a grassroots program that is supported locally by  Community Care Givers. Villages aren’t limited to a particular location, like a NNORC, rather they are a dues based organization where neighbors help neighbors stay connected to the community, allowing them to live in their own homes for longer. Bethlehem Neighbors is a village that has recently incorporated and there are others forming in Niskayuna, Chatham and the Clifton Park area. There are currently 200 villages across the country, but it seems like a movement that will likely continue to grow as more and more people want to age in place.

Another trend that we are beginning to see more of is intergenerational living. It’s not unusual to be working with clients who are looking for a home that can accommodate one or more of their older relatives. Some want a suite on the first floor or an in-law apartment. Others look for two family homes where they can be in easy reach of each other. A possibility that I had not previously considered was the idea of older people renting rooms in their home to younger people - whether they be college students or young professionals that aren’t ready to purchase their own place quite yet. There are many benefits for both the older and younger people who partake in an intergenerational living situation.

Our next blog post will explore modifications you can make to your existing home to stay there longer as well as highlight the universal design features you should prioritize when looking for a new home. Stay tuned…

Photo credit: iStock.com/Halfpoint