Unable to Sell Homes, Elderly Forgo Move to Assisted Living

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/us/22home.html?em

Unable to Sell Homes, Elderly Forgo Move to Assisted Living

The housing crisis has kept thousands of older Americans who need support and care from moving into retirement communities or assisted-living centers, effectively stranding them in their own homes.

Without selling their houses or condominiums, many cannot buy into retirement homes that require a payment of $100,000 to $500,000 just to move in. So they are scratching themselves off waiting lists, canceling plans with packing services and staying put, in houses that fit well 30 years ago, but over the years have become lonely, too large or too treacherous to navigate.

“It is part of the hidden problem of the recession,” said Larry Minnix, president of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. “Every neighborhood, every family’s got them.”

Facilities that have watched their waiting lists wither and their occupancy rates fall in the last year are now scrambling to bring people through their doors.

[Breeze54]

1. Everyone is hurting but there are ways they can get assistance

with family moving in with them, home health aids and the like...

[MrsBrady]

2. this is a big business in Texas

it should be interesting to see what happens.

I wouldn't be surprised if people start taking in "assisted living" borders or hiring people to come help them.

[MineralMan]

3. My wife and I

Sold our home in California and moved to Minnesota four years ago. Her father had experienced a small stroke, and we decided that we'd better get out there and offer our help and support. He died a couple of years after we arrived, at home. Home health aides and Hospice assisted, but we took care of things like shopping and spent a lot of time at their house.

Now, my wife's mom is having back problems, so we're doing everything we can to help her stay in her own home, as long as she can. My parents, who are both 84 years old, still live in California, but have two of their other children living in the same town.

If things get difficult, it's going to be more and more important for families to deal with aging parents than ever. If you're far from your aging parents, perhaps it's time to think about either moving to where they are or moving them to your town or city.

We're so glad we did this, despite the difficulties of uprooting our lives. Fortunately we both work from home, so that wasn't a problem. I'm more or less retired now, anyhow. Frankly, I would regret it if we hadn't made the decision. It's worth thinking about.