“I”™m very happy where I am now. I”™m in a one-bedroom apartment and I love it,” says 93-year-old Cornelia (Connie) Jones, who moved into an assisted living apartment early this year following her husband”™s death.
Before the move, Connie fell a few times and ended up in the hospital followed by a stint in rehab. The pandemic made this more difficult as she was unable to accept visits from friends. Today she socializes with residents and staff daily.
Fortunately, Connie began the senior living planning process several months prior to her hospitalization and completed it in rehab. Planning preceded crisis, which gave Connie the opportunity to consider options.
New York state is home to more than 500 assisted living communities. There are 60 throughout Connecticut, according to the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL).
Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services Commissioner Mae Carpenter says that there are 214,000 adults in the county age 60 and over and approximately 55,000 caregivers for them. She notes that Westchester, an excellent place to age in place, was “designated as one of the first age-friendly counties in the nation by AARP and the World Health Organization.” Yet, while older adults generally choose to live their entire lives in their communities, they and, when applicable, their loved ones, need to chart a course to achieve that goal safely.
“Seniors and their family members need to talk before multiple challenges become evident,” says Carpenter, pointing out that more than half of the senior population has at least one chronic illness. Qualified aides “can make the difference between a senior being placed in a nursing facility or being able to stay in their homes.””¯
All people, whatever their financial situation, want “the opportunity to remain in their communities as they age with independence and dignity,” she adds.
Brewster-based Stephanie Roberti, a senior living adviser and the CEO of New Beginnings Supportive Transitions for Seniors helps families in the metro area by educating adult children and older adults on senior communities. Through her experience matching seniors to various living environments, she says that “many are holding on to old paradigms about what senior living is like. A lot of people think if they move into a community, they will lose their independence. But in actuality it can help them keep their independence even longer.”
Lise LaPointe Jameson is the executive director and one of the founders of At Home in Greenwich,”¯”¯which offers resources to enable seniors to age in place.
Says Jameson: “A senior ”¦ may seek an ”˜insurance policy”™ to make it possible to stay in the town they”™re familiar with and in the homes that they love.”¯ We”™re that policy. We provide social and cultural events and problem solving.”
The nonprofit charges an affordable fee (and offers financial assistance if needed) to provide members with access to a carefully vetted list of vendors, from nursing agencies to contractors to limousine services and more ”“ even writers to help record a memoir.
Whether you, or your loved ones, decide to stay or move, it”™s important to:
- Assess finances and plan accordingly with financial advisers, accountants and even daily money managers to understand what assets are available. Elder law / trust and estate attorneys advise on asset protection and ways, including Medicaid, to fund long-term care.
- Consult an independent senior living adviser to explore options at no cost to clients. The advisers are paid by the care communities and senior residences.
- Hire an organizer / move manager with experience working with the elderly to support various downsizing decisions ”“ which belongings to keep, sell, donate or discard. The organizer may also manage the move and help set up the new residence.
- Engage a geriatric care manager to advise on all aspects of aging. If a move is best, the GCM will oversee the entire process and refer families to the professionals named above. A GCM is thoroughly familiar with the immense planning that comes with any move.
- Involve caregivers, whether home health aides or certified nurse”™s aides, to ease any transition. A senior may need familiar companionship, assistance with errands, medication reminders and help developing routines. Those moving to independent living or long-term care in a nursing home might benefit most from this option. Assisted living communities employ aides to assist residents.
For more, visit concierge-care.com.
