Articles for Seniors
House-sharing could be a golden opportunity to age in place
Back in the mid 1980s, American television viewers were introduced to The Golden Girls, four fun-loving and aging women — still young at heart — who shared a home in Miami and, of course, got themselves into hilarious situations episode after episode. While the ladies...
Preventing falls in the home starts from the ground up
According to the National Aging in Place Council, more than 90 percent of older adults would prefer to age in their current house or apartment rather the move into any type of senior housing. In order to achieve this with peace of mind and safety, there are a variety...
Let’s talk to mom or dad about selling the family house
Look around mom or dad’s house and it’s clear to see that it’s filled with memories and emotions. From photos on the walls to growth notches in the kids’ bedrooms, a house is so much more than just another building. For many families, a day will come when the only...
You have the keys, so now what? A step-by-step real estate guide for executors
If you have been nominated as the executor of an estate that includes real estate or perhaps you find yourself in a place where you will be exercising a power of attorney for another person, there are some initial steps that are important to know when it comes to...
Is it time to ask an elderly loved one to explore new housing options?
Keeping our older loved ones safe and happy is a high priority for many of us, but when giving up the family home is part of the discussion, there’s often a stiff resistance to change and explore senior housing options. Because a house contains so many cherished...
Condos with services are emerging
Service enriched condominium and co-op projects are beginning to surface in large markets in Illinois, Texas, Virginia and California with a particularly high concentration in the Chicago area. We have come to expect a monthly fee associated with a condominium that...
Choosing A Retirement Community
Facing the question “what retirement community suits me best?” can carry with it tremendous stress for people who are in their later years. Deciding on the best community for you is made more complicated by the seemingly endless number of options that are available....
ECHO housing: an alternative for seniors?
As the percentage of seniors in our population grows, we need to be looking for alternatives to what we have always done to accommodate this rapidly growing segment of our population. The National Institute on Aging reports that the number of our “oldest old – those...
Focus on safety and ease of use
If you are thinking about adding an in-law quarters or renovating a space that will be occupied by an elder either in their home or in yours, choosing the right floor can affect comfort, health, and well-being. The rapid growth of our senior population in our country...
Shared housing for seniors is a degree of need – Part 2
Part 2of 2: In our first article in this series, we discussed the growing attractiveness of shared housing for seniors. Shared housing pairs or places roommates into a home with seniors. This type of housing offers companionship, financial help, and the ability to...
Shared housing for seniors is a degree of need
Part 1 of 2: The percentage of our population over the age of 65 continues to explode with 10,000 people crossing into "retirement" on a daily basis. Service delivery systems and living situations for seniors are already strained beyond capacity for those with some...
Is subsidized housing in your future?
Where can you turn if you are later in life and on a seemingly lower, fixed income and faced with ever increasing housing costs? The Federal government's Section 202 program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is designed to provide a...