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As you get ready to retire and enjoy your golden years, spending time in an assisted living facility or nursing home is probably not one of your goals. However, unexpected health problems can sometimes arise which make staying home more complicated. The good news is that even when there are medical challenges, there are ways to get the care you need in the place you love. By preparing for aging in place, you can build your plan to stay home in California.
Preparing to live independently for as long as possible involves planning. You will need to think about your future costs of living and expected resources and funds. For instance, if anticipate having retirement and social security, as well as your spouse’s income, you can develop a realistic budget and save for the future. If you are not yet retired, you may also want to look into purchasing long-term care insurance. This coverage pays for extensive physical care both inside and outside of facilities. However, these policies become more expensive as you age and are not available for purchase once you need the coverage. Without a long-term policy, you will have to pay out-of-pocket or rely on Medi-Cal to pay for things such as home health care.
If you own your home, you may want to think about making changes to support your needs as you get older. For example, physical stability can present challenges as we age. For someone who is unsteady, getting in and out of the bathtub can be difficult and even dangerous. You may want to convert your bath into a walk-in shower with a bench to make it easier to use. There can also be modifications to sink heights and other surfaces. If you expect that you or your spouse may need a wheelchair in the future, you could start making renovations to your home now, such as installing ramps and widening doorways. Another consideration may be downsizing from a larger space into something more manageable and accommodating. For instance, if you raised your kids in a large two-story house which you no longer need, you could sell and purchase a smaller single-story dwelling that comes with lawn care services.
Having the love and support of family and friends during this time in your life is essential. The more you can convey to others about what you want, the better. Those who care about you may have ideas or resources which can help support your plan to age in place. When your grown children and other loved ones are part of the planning process, you can all work together to find ways for you to age in place in comfort and with the support you need.
Aging in place can be a realistic plan for many California seniors. However, being able to remain home for the long-term requires planning ahead. At the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo, we are elder law attorneys with the experience you need to help you prepare for the future. Please contact us online or by phone to start your solution today.