When Is the Right Time to Move to Senior Living?

One of the most common refrains we hear from people interested in moving to one of our senior living communities is “This place is great, but I’m just not ready yet.” The most common regret we hear after a move: “I wish I had done this sooner!”

The gap between these two statements can be years – years that could be spent enjoying the freedom from home maintenance, new friendships and events, and the financial predictability offered by moving when you are healthy and ready to take advantage of the opportunities you’ll find in a continuing care retirement community.

So, when is the right time for senior living? When doing research on retirement living options, timing is important – specifically how certain factors may affect a move. Delaying your move to a retirement community carries three significant risks that are beyond our control.

• Health – It is very important to have a plan in place and consider moving before a triggering medical event. Waiting until after a health issue occurs not only means a loss of control and increased stress during a medical crisis, it also means missing the opportunity to experience all the benefits available in a residential setting.

• Housing Market – It is important to keep an eye on the housing market to maximize the return on investment when selling a home. This has become particularly critical after the housing market decline that occurred in 2008 and 2009. Not only were prospective residents delayed by the challenge of selling their homes, some also experienced a sharp decline in their financial ability to qualify for the option of their choice due to declining home values.

• The Economy – Keep a careful eye on the impact the economy is having on your monthly costs and your investments. A decline in the value of your investments can also result in not being financially qualified for many of the options you previously considered.

The “I’m not ready yet” statement typically comes from the heart. But having the retirement you want often comes down to logical decisions – and having the energy to tackle some of those unavoidable issues like downsizing your house. By factoring in health, the housing market and the economy, you will see the gap between “not ready yet” and “I should have done this sooner” start closing.

In uncertain times, the Asbury retirement living lifestyle can actually be your path to a more predictable, secure future. Along with beautiful residences, our set monthly services fee includes utilities, maintenance, a wide array of amenities and access to a full continuum of on-site health services.

The critical first step is to start researching the options and make a plan. There are many options available to support aging well in various settings. The key is not waiting too long!