According to a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard, nearly 70 percent of people age 85 and over living homes that lack essential safety features. I have a lot of clients who are worried about the safety of their aging parents, which is why this article in Money Magazine caught my eye. The authors suggest some really good conversation starters, rather than outright telling your mom and dad to move, which likely will not go over well.
Here are the other main take-aways:
- Engage with your parents’ everyday lives and chores so you can get a feel for their living conditions and financial situation.
- Acknowledge their feelings about why they want to stay in their home.
- Tour assisted living centers or retirement homes with them – a key benefit is the socialization at these facilities, rather than isolation at home.
- Make changes to the home they live in now, whether they are simple fixes or complete retrofitting, while everyone is still healthy and active.
As with most financial and safety issues, they key is to plan ahead. For more information, visit our website at makinglifecount.com or contact Joni Lindquist –jlindquist@makinglifecount.com, (913) 345-1881.