Whether to move to a senior community
Deciding whether and when to move into a senior community is a challenging undertaking for many older adults, a decision that most people do not want imposed on them in a crisis. For those who have lived in a single-family home for years, moving to a group housing complex can be a daunting leap, while for others, moving is a smooth transition that opens doors to new opportunities. The ... READ MORE
Stay connected and informed from home
The people behind a new website called Amava note that “experiences that connect us to others and produce authentic social ties are more important than ever.” So, they bring older adults together virtually for engaging conversations (called “circles”) around topics of mutual interest. For example, 10 people or so can “meet” to discuss pets, travel or even play charades... READ MORE
Tap into a home’s value with refi or loan
A debt-free retirement has been the ideal scenario for so long that older adults often overlook a valuable financial resource: their home. Collectively, homeowners age 62 and older have a record $6.5 trillion of “tappable” equity, according to data analytics firm Black Knight. Individually, home equity accounts for more than a quarter to almost half of the median net worth of... READ MORE
Upgrading during pandemic? Get it insured
As many Americans face months on end stuck indoors, some are using their time (and money) to create a change of scenery or upgrade their surroundings. Home office equipment purchases are on the rise, and people are tackling more renovation projects than usual. But expensive new stuff and significant home improvements can leave you underinsured. If you’re considering making changes to... READ MORE
Assisted living: What you need to know
Assisted living is geared to those who are healthy enough to live on their own but may need some help to live independently, perhaps with bathing, dressing or managing medicines. There is a lot to consider when it comes to choosing to move to an assisted living community. First is figuring out when the time is right. Most of us want to stay in our homes as long as possible. But if... READ MORE
Advice for developing a caregiving plan
Approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last year, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving means assuming a great many unfamiliar responsibilities, such as taking care of a parent’s finances, supervising employees, and acting the part of ombudsman with medical personnel. Long-distance caregiving is... READ MORE
Parting with what parents leave behind
Your folks weren’t crazy for keeping all that stuff, even if it’s driving you crazy trying to figure out what to do with it. Believe it or not, you’re going to have just as hard a time getting rid of all that stuff as your parents had. In the days and weeks following the loss of your last surviving parent, everything your mom or dad touched will carry with it a reminder and become... READ MORE
Baltimore Housing Notes – January 2021
New community to open in Sykesville A new community for people 62 and older will open later this year in Sykesville, Maryland. Snowden Creek is accepting lease applications now. Located on a hill surrounded by walking trails, Snowden Creek has 109 apartments with one, two or three bedrooms. Residents have full use of a fitness center, yoga studio, art studio, billiards room, library,... READ MORE
D.C. Housing Notes – October 2020
AlfredHouse opens location in Potomac Earlier this year, AlfredHouse Assisted Living acquired their 10th and newest property, Rebecca House, to provide high-end services to residents of Potomac, Maryland. Dr. Veena J. Alfred, PhD, founder of AlfredHouse, took over Rebecca House from another agency and made significant improvements. “Right away, she replaced the flooring, repainted... READ MORE
How communities are coping with COVID
COVID-19, as we all now know, puts older adults at highest risk for severe illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, eight out of ten deaths from COVID have occurred in people over 65. So, the pandemic has required life care communities and long-term care facilities to take steps to mitigate risk and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. In early March, many... READ MORE
