Blog Posts

Steps to Take Before Caring for Your Parents

The signs are subtle, but you notice them. It may be your family home is no longer being properly maintained. It may be that your parents rarely socialize anymore. It may be something as vague as your parents appearing bored and more tired than your last visit. Coming to terms with the fact that your parents are aging and may need you to help them make the necessary changes is difficult. Even harder is that conversation with them. It’s a conversation they will probably not initiate for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that they may not be aware they need help. Maybe they are in denial or fear being forced out of their home into some unappealing care facility. For whatever reason, when it comes to caring for aging parents, it’s important to tread with love and respect. What Do They Need? The first hurdle is to find out exactly what your parents need to stay safe and healthy. Examine the different areas of their routine and assess how much help they actually need to get through the day. Are their issues physical or cognitive? Can they handle their meals and hygiene needs? Are they interacting socially with peers? Can they handle their medical needs without a caregiver to be in charge of medications? Do they need transportation assistance? Gaining a clear understanding of the situation is imperative for decision making. Your Role How much hands-on responsibility you shoulder for your aging parents will depend on a number of factors, including your geographical location, your schedule, your own physical ability to perform necessary caregiver tasks, and of course your relationship with your parents. It’s best to be realistic from the get-go to avoid problems down the road. You may not be the best person for the job and your parents may be better served by you finding someone who is. Work Together as a Team Your parents are already dreading being in a position that requires others to care for them. Shutting them out of the decision-making process will compound their discomfort. Though they are likely to resist your efforts early on, the more you emphasize you are a partner—not an adversary—the easier it will be to convince your parents to get on board with the program. What’s the Budget? You will need an accurate accounting of your parents’ financial status in order to understand what kind of care they can afford today—and in the future—and whether or not they will need to apply for financial help through programs like Medicaid. Home Safe Home If your parents are staying in their home, make sure the environment is free from safety hazards. Keep halls and walkways clutter-free and add grab bars in the bathroom to prevent falls. Make sure living spaces have plenty of light with easily accessible switches. Stay in Touch Nothing hurts seniors like loneliness and isolation. Make sure you are in constant touch with your parents and encourage them to reach out to friends and other family members. Preprogram important numbers into their mobile phones so they can easily contact emergency services if necessary. Whether your parents are ready and excited to move to an active adult community or need to relocate to a senior housing option with more assistance services, assure them you are there to support them in whatever they need. Remember this can also be a stressful time for you. A support group for caregivers may be helpful.

An Easy Choice by Dan Carlson

Dan and Bonnie Carlson made the decision to become part of Overture’s active Adult Community and they have never looked back. Taking advantage of all their community has to offer, they have embraced the fun, stress-free, no maintenance, turnkey life with gusto, and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Hence, the decision of whether or not to renew their lease for a second term was a no brainer. For the Carlsons, there’s no place like Overture. It’s that time again. Our lease is up for renewal and, in the words of the 80’s rock band, the Clash, Bonnie and I have to decide: “Should We Stay or Should We Go, Now?” Readers of this blog, of course, know how pleased we are with our living arrangements. That view has not changed and, in fact, was solidified even more fully in a recent column titled “5 Reasons to Rent Versus Buy” by Kelsey Sheehy. And while we did not need convincing, her article discussed many of the very same issues we considered in deciding to sell our home and move into a 55+ Active Adult Apartment Home Community. For example: We want flexibility. One reason we selected our apartment was because we love the city in which it is located, and it is relatively close to family. But those circumstances could change. Any of our children could find themselves forced to move for career reasons. Or, Bonnie and I could find ourselves irresistibly drawn to another part of the United States. Whatever the case, if and when we decide to move, we don’t have to worry about the enormous hassle of selling a home, and all the complications and time that process entails. We want to be maintenance-free. For many years, I enjoyed doing maintenance, yard work and repairs around the house. Today, the mere thought of having to put up a 40-foot extension ladder to clean the gutters is enough to make me swoon. There were many good things about homeownership, but seemingly constant repairs, replacement and refurbishment—not to mention dealing with a Homeowners Association—were not among them. Today, if something needs to be fixed, I dial a number and the repair is done quickly, professionally, at no cost and—here’s the best part—somebody else does the work. We enjoy amenities Having owned a house with a swimming pool, we swore we would never do that again … chemicals … vacuuming … repairs … safety concerns. At our apartment, the pool is always sparkling, the water temperature is perfect, and if it ever needs cleaning, well…somebody else does it. Apartment living gives us other things as well: Access to a fitness center just down the hall, community games and social events, and the opportunity to join neighbors in travel to a variety of locations and attractions. When we began searching for an apartment, we did not pay particular attention to amenities. Now that we are here, these things make our experience even more enjoyable. We like financial predictability. Though rents can fluctuate over time, we know that once we sign our lease our rate is fixed for the term of the rental agreement. When we owned a home, we found that while our mortgage remittance stayed constant, property tax rates always had an impact on our monthly payment. And, as mentioned, maintenance costs in a home can be unpredictable. For example, I remember standing in my backyard at 2:00 a.m. one August night in Texas (temperature was 95), holding a flashlight for the air conditioner repairman (whom I had called eight hours earlier), while he tried to coax my AC unit back to life. Needless to say, I do not miss either the experience or the expense of that sort of thing. We have a good thing going. We love our apartment and the city we live in. The nearby shopping and restaurants, along with the available entertainment options, make this a great place to call home. Our surroundings are quiet and comfortable, and we find ourselves in the midst of some truly amazing people we have come to call friends. Simply put: We are in a very good place and, as the old saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Though Sheehy wrote her column for folks trying to decide between buying their first house or continuing to rent, the issues she raises apply perfectly to Bonnie and me. Full disclosure, we had already made up our minds about renewing our lease, but this article provided another layer of confirmation that we had made … and continue to make … the right choice. When all is said and done, this is our “me” time, and living in a 55+ Active Adult Apartment Home Community allows us to enjoy this period of our lives to the fullest. In other words, when it comes to renewing our lease, where do we sign? Flexibility, resort-worthy amenities , financial consistency, and a community of peers to share adventures with. No wonder the Carlsons are so happy to call Overture’s Active Adult Community home. With properties all over the country, the right Overture community is waiting for you. This is your time. Make it the time of your life. Visit the Overture community near you and see what the Carlsons are raving about! ABOUT AUTHOR Daniel Carlson Daniel Carlson is a retired police officer, former law enforcement educator and present-day active author. He and his high school sweetheart Bonnie, have been married for over half a century and have recently co-authored a book titled, “Home Sweet Apartment…Getting Rightsized in Our Seventies.” The young at heart couple are currently loving life at Overture Ridgmar , which is in the Great State of Texas, and in purposefully close proximity to their three children and seven terrific grandchildren. Connect with Dan via: Website: www.danbonbooks.com Facebook: Facebook.com/danbonbooks Blog: www.danbonbooks.blog

What Does Move in Ready Senior Living Mean?

So, you’ve been told your new senior apartment is a “move-in ready home.” If you’re not exactly sure what that means, join the club. Though it sounds straightforward, move-in ready is one of those flexible concepts that lends itself to multiple interpretations. The technical definition, according to Black’s Law Dictionary, is that the space is code compliant and includes functioning utilities as well as doors and windows that lock. However, for house and apartment hunters, the term tends to be more about appealing aesthetics. This “Tomato/Tomahto” discrepancy can be a source of contention between realtors and clients. Below are four different interpretations of “move-in ready.” When you begin your search for move-in ready senior apartments , be sure to be specific about your personal expectations. So, What Does Move-in Ready Mean? No Major Renovations Needed To some, move-in-ready means the home is in great shape and there will be no need for structural changes that require board approval or city permits or stressful construction work that can be a major headache. This does not guarantee there are not some cosmetic issues to address, like new countertops, appliances or wallpaper. No Aesthetic Changes Move-in ready can also mean there are absolutely no aesthetic changes necessary. Those that interpret move-in ready in this way expect fixtures, appliances, and finishes to be up to date and all walls to be freshly painted. A Habitable Environment Move-in ready can also be taken completely literally to mean a home is functional so suitable for people to live in it, regardless of how dated the décor. We’re talking running water, a working kitchen and functioning appliances….and possibly bathrooms and wallpaper from the ‘50s! Complete Pre-Closing Checklist On an even more basic level, move-in ready can mean the pre-closing walkthrough has been completed and the home meets the criteria on the checklist. So, basically in this scenario, move-in-ready means plumbing, electricity and appliances are working, the house has been cleaned and painted and the locks have been changed. Overture’s Active Adult Communities take the term “move-in ready” seriously. With state-of-the-art amenities and high-end décor and appliances, Overture’s living spaces are truly ready for you to unpack and start the business of having fun immediately. If you’re ready to take the plunge and are overwhelmed at the thought of physically tackling downsizing and moving, there are many senior moving services like the National Association of Senior Move Managers out there to help streamline the process. It’s time to find the community that is as move-in ready as you are!

How is Active Adult Living Different From Other Senior Housing Options?

You’ve discussed, weighed the pros and cons, and analyzed the numbers. The verdict is clear: You are ready to rightsize into a living arrangement that will enhance this stage of your life. But, now that you’ve done the heavy lifting and made your decision to move, the question is: What type of community will provide the lifestyle you envision? There are several different options to choose from. Though active adult, independent living, and assisted living communities are often perceived to be interchangeable, in fact each is tailored to a specific segment of the population. What are Active Adult Communities? Active adult communities are specifically designed for, well…active adults. They are ideal for empty nesters who are ready to jettison the burden of a house to embrace the freedom of an apartment home. Active adult communities are focused on creating a lifestyle that promotes health and wellbeing by providing a host of opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and intellectual growth. From Olympic sized indoor pools, to state-of-the-art fitness centers, to classes and activities that foster lasting relationships with your peers, active adult communities are all about fitness, fun and friendship in a resort-style atmosphere. This style of living does not come with assistance or meals (but those things can be sourced in at an additional fee). Community members are looking for a lifestyle change and do not want to pay for assistance they do not need. Active Adult Living vs Independent Living Ironically, while active adult living is completely independent, independent senior living is for seniors who may need some level of assistance. While residents may handle the majority of their own needs, services like meals, laundry, linen delivery, maid service, on-site nurse, and planned activities are available as needed or wanted. If a resident needs special care, like an aide to help with daily life, they have to hire from an outside source on their own. Active Adult Living vs. Assisted Living For those who need a higher level of support, assisted living may be a better option than either active adult or independent living. Assisted living facilities have on-site professionals to help with daily challenges and medical care. Those services are generally included in the overall cost of the facility. Independent active adults who have no need of support services would be spending unneeded dollars in assisted living. An active adult community would be the smart choice in terms of both lifestyle and finances. Overture communities are the gold standard for the active adult lifestyle choice. Check out our resource page to gain a better understanding of the senior living options available. Find out why active adult living checks all your boxes for your next chapter!

Top Questions to Ask Before Making A Living Trust-image

The True Cost of Homeownership

When you are part of the daily grind, time is money. When you’ve put full-time employment behind you, your free time and your money are equally precious. So, the question: Why would you want to sacrifice your hard-earned money and free time maintaining a house that no longer supports your lifestyle? The Survey Says… A recent real estate study by Clever and published on Realty Times sought to get to the bottom of the true costs of homeownership. The numbers are in and the survey says: Homeowners are spending a lot of money on maintenance and repairs. In fact, according to the results of the study, maintenance, repairs, and home improvements can eat up to $10,000 annually. That number can soar even higher when renovation costs far exceed expectations or major appliances and HVAC systems are beyond repair and must be replaced. The real estate survey of 1000 homeowners concluded that 25% of the participants had less than $500 saved for home maintenance. In addition, 57% noted a significant amount of time spent dealing with home headaches. Whether the problem involved plumbing leaks, water heater repair, HVAC maintenance, painting, appliance breakdowns or outdoor landscaping issues, the consensus was clear. After living in a house for more than 10 years, things start to fall apart and need attention. When you throw the cost of property taxes and homeowner’s insurance into the retirement formula, the numbers may indeed add up to a larger piece of the pie than you bargained for. That lopsided equation is precisely why so many Baby Boomers are getting out from under the money pit they used to call home and rightsizing into active adult communities where the dollars make sense. Maintenance-Free Living After decades of mowing, pruning, raking, snow blowing, painting and planting, the prospect of living in lovely grounds with zero responsibility for keeping them that way is beyond appealing and one of the top-selling points for life in an active adult community. Another highlight is an easily manageable living space designed for efficiency and convenience. When you’re ready to use the chunk of money you saved on home maintenance to check off an item on your bucket list, all you have to do is lock the door and head off worry-free on your great adventure. No More Health Club Dues Active adult living includes easy access to state-of-the-art fitness facilities with sparkling pools where you can exercise and socialize. Take part in the long list of scheduled activities and join with other members of your community to pursue your passions and interests. You’ll have the opportunity to expand your horizons and create new and meaningful relationships without ever leaving the community. Now that the family home no longer has the family in it, shelling out high maintenance costs just doesn’t add up. Sure, that new air conditioning system will keep you cool, but it certainly won’t provide the pleasure of that trip you had to cancel to afford it.