When it comes to making sure you age in a comfortable, independent, and safe environment, seniors have many options. It’s important to think about what you want and to consider what you are capable of— from a health and financial standpoint. Most seniors look at three options for comfortable retirement living:
Buying a senior-accessible home
Making accessibility modifications to a current home
Moving into an assisted living facility
How do you know what is the right choice for you or a loved one approaching their golden years? Here is a quick overview of what you can expect from each of these three top options.
Buying a senior-accessible home
If you are considering purchasing a senior-ready home, think about partnering with a friend, family member, or realtor who has experience looking for these kinds of properties. There is a lot to think about, and experience can be insightful. Also, consider taking along a checklist of features that help with aging in place.
Take some time to research the housing market, especially if you plan on selling your home to buy another. That way you can start your home search knowing what kind of down payment you’ll want to have, the best neighborhoods for seniors, and how much you might expect to pay for your mortgage. Having this information goes a long way toward lining up a budget.
Here are some key design elements for seniors to look for in their housing search:
Single-story homes are ideal for seniors. Protecting against slips and falls is crucial for healthy senior living, which is why many opt for homes without stairs.
Storage for extra items if moving into a smaller home. If you want to keep sentimental items but won’t have space in your new home, look for affordable storage units in your area.
Properties near places they frequent, or near public transit stops, to ease transportation worries.
Making accessibility modifications to a current home
If you plan on aging in your current home, or are considering downsizing to a home that needs to be tweaked, you will need to factor in both the cost and time involved in making modifications. Keep in mind accessibility upgrades to protect you from injury and keep you safe and independent after one occurs.
As Assisted Living Today explains, some common senior-specific accessibility modifications include:
Installing ramps over any steps and handrails in hallways and on stairs.
Widening hallways and door frames to accommodate walking with a cane, walker, or using a wheelchair.
Purchasing bright lights and adding additional lighting options to brighten dimly lit areas.
Prioritizing Safety with smoke, break-in, and other alarms that use both light and sound to alert you to an emergency.
Moving into an assisted living facility
Some seniors want to age comfortably knowing they have help when they need it. National Caregivers Library points out that’s where an assisted living facility comes in. Essentially seniors can live independently in an apartment or condo-style residence with shared common rooms and access to professionals who can help with:
Daily living activities like bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and taking medications
Nutritional programs that include cafeteria-style dining
Exercise and wellness activities
Housekeeping and maintenance
Organized recreational activities
Social services and religious activities
Transportation arrangements
24/7 security
You may not be at a place where you can decide or predict what you will need to live happily and healthily in your golden years— and that’s okay. Thinking about these options now, and talking about them with your family, is a great way to get the ball rolling. Take your time so you don’t jump into a decision you may regret, but also be honest with yourself about the reality of your physical and mental health and your financial means. You deserve to age in a way that makes your life feel meaningful and complete.
About the Author: Sharon Wagner is the creator of SeniorFriendly.info and the author of the upcoming book, The Ultimate Guide to Senior-Friendly Workouts, Fitness Gear, Healthy Recipes, and More. With both her website and her book, she hopes to provide helpful tips, tricks, advice, and product recommendations that help seniors stay active and engaged as they age.
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Starting in August of 2020, we started following the life of a pre-retiree Barbara Mock. The goal was to follow her from pre-retirement through the retirement process. So you and I can live vicariously through her experience. We want to know what’s happening as she goes through this process. So we can better prepare ourselves.
Barbara’s retirement date is finally here and she will officially be retired by the end of March 2020. It comes with plenty of mixed emotions for Barbara. This month is a lot of final goodbyes and last things which feels very surreal.
It’s Going to Be a Lot of Flurry and Activity
In retirement, you’re basically facing what is essentially the last transition of your life. During this phase of Barbara’s retirement, she remembers when she got married, there was this big flurry, all the activity, all the things you have to do and get done. And then that day comes, whether you like it or not it comes, and the wedding is over. Then she remembers on their honeymoon, just feeling this sense of where are all the people, where’s all the interaction, Because they went from all these people to just the two of them. So for Barbara, this retirement journey is going to be a lot of flurry of activity and things, and goodbyes this month but then in April, all that’ll kind of go away.
After the Goodbyes, There’s a Connection Day
When you retire, you’re going to have a flurry of people wanting to say goodbye, even if you’re in an office with five people, there’s going to be some goodbyes. And then probably what you’re figuring is going to be more of silence after that.
Luckily, Barbara already has something planned when that time comes. One is, as she has conversations with people, and you kind of know is when they’re saying, oh, I’d really like to stay in touch. And you’re never quite sure if they’re just saying that or if they want to. But these are for the ones that Barbara definitely wants to stay in touch with that she just doesn’t want to lose contact with.
There’s a number of people that I would love to go to lunch with. And so there’s gonna be a lot of time playing golf with her husband, but not as much as he does. Also, she wants to have a day of a connection, a reconnection day. It might be with an aunt, it might be with a cousin, but it might be with some of these people that she had grown to love over 44 years. She’s spent more waking hours with these people than her own children and her husband, they are dear to her, and don’t want to lose that connection. And she knows over time, people move on. But at least for a while. I think that’ll be a landing spot.
Even With What is Happening Today, Start to Plan Again
Retirement has looked quite different during the last year. Plans of travel have been replaced by isolation for many families. There are life circumstances, health issues, financial setbacks, there’s always something that stops you possibly from having your, your dreams. And it’s easy, as we’ve seen through this journey, to get discouraged, to get tired to get down.
It just was just such a sense of relief and gratitude to the people that have worked so hard this past year to create or develop a vaccine. It’s nothing short of miraculous. That is why Barbara has been planning to travel again. It may not be now, but she is still hopeful. It’s such a celebration that we can consider doing things again, consider living again because so many of us have put our lives on hold and now we’re starting to feel hopeful again.
Do you have any questions for Barbara?
Do you have any just general questions? Email us your questions at Podcast@RockYourRetirement.com and we will try to answer them in the show.
Today, we will talk about one of the Six Pillars of Retirement Lifestyle. Just to refresh your memory, the six pillars are spiritual, significant other, friendship, purpose, family, and health. And we’re going to be starting new short health segments. And so I thought we would kick that off by talking about what if anything we are doing about our health, or if a lot like a lot of you, maybe we’re struggling in that area of health. After almost a year of being cooped up, I know that a lot of us have either physical or mental health struggles.
It Has Been a Roller Coaster of a Ride
To describe today’s health status since COVID, it’s been a roller coaster. Before COVID, Barbara would get up really super early in the morning, going to a gym, working out with a personal trainer, and a team of people. Doing that a couple of days a week and then going in, treadmill, lifting weights in between, and then going into work, taking a shower, getting dressed, and starting her day. Then COVID hit and the governor closes down all the gyms. As an extreme extrovert, her mental health suffered significantly.
So in those months in March, not only did Barbara stop leaving the house, it was depressing. And she started having a glass of wine or two, every night became much more sedentary. She started gaining an excessive amount of weight and felt like a slog. And it was just a downward spiral for her.
Have Something to Look Forward To
We have to have something to look forward to. We get stressed when we delve into a specific problem that we lose perspective. Figure out something to put on your calendar or something to look forward to because we don’t have anything to look forward to, it just gets bleaker and bleaker and bleaker. Think about things for which you are grateful.
Start Being Healthy
When you eat sugar, it changes your blood sugar, and it causes you to be hungry or thirsty or you know, different things. And so just by removing that, already, it was just like incredible. It just wasn’t serving Barbara’s needs, or purposes anymore. But that’s not to say that maybe someday when she’s retired, sitting around the campfire, she might not enjoy a glass of wine.
So what Barbara has been learning is the sugar that’s in alcohol is what’s not good for her. It causes her to either want to eat or drink more than she should. Just by replacing the sugars and the carbohydrates with fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, just makes her feel so much better and more motivated. There’s a tie between what she eats and how she feels, and how motivated she to go out and do activities.
Healthy Ways to Cope
Keep up with daily routines as far as possible, or make new ones. Exercise, eat healthy meals and try to allocate time for working and time for resting. Also, make time for doing things you enjoy.
Setting goals isn’t enough. Though it helps us to create a plan, see the future, and stay on track to get things done, there’s still a downside to goal setting. Setting and living your intentions allows you to focus on who you are in the moment, recognize and live your values, and raise your emotional energy, which in turn, raises your physical energy. Join us today in
As of this recording, she’s still waiting for her retirement date, which is coming up at the end of March 2021. If you’re listening to this in the future, start with our first episode of following her journey, and come along with us in sequence so that it’ll make more sense. This first episode was titled, Barbara’s Amazing Retirement Journey: Section 1. Today. Barbara and I will talk about intentions.
Evaluate Your Goals and Intentions
Barbara really wants to forget the year that was passed except for a few highlights. Just looking forward and in the past, that was a time for them to look at their finances. Throughout Barbara’s marriage, they would take the time between Christmas and New Year’s to go through in whatever form they had with their bills, their expenses, and would evaluate their goals. They would figure out what are they going to pay off because their goal was to be debt-free by this time.
So they’ve been having a lot of conversations about what a weird feeling it is right now that they have done that on the eve of retirement. They don’t have any debt. And they’ve minimized their expenses as much as possible. Now they’re at the other side. Both of them have been kind of struggling because their pattern was the goal to pay off.
Goal to Spend?
Now, this shift that they haven’t made very well is what’s their goal to spend or stay neutral. They want to go places and do things. It has been pouring down rain everyday storm after storm landslides flooding, and it’s bleak. There’s been a lot to talk about, where will they be at this time next year? Where will they be in October? Because both of them know whether it’s a week or a month or two months in the fall, and then probably come home for Christmas, because they didn’t get a Christmas this year. But then right after Christmas head somewhere, and that is the discussion.
They don’t feel like they have to make a decision right now. But because they’re a bit bored and can’t go outside. They’ve been spending a lot of time. Barbara and her husband were always the people that are always saving for the future. And now, they’re those people that can spend some money and go have some fun. It’s a very weird thing and it’s a big adjustment.
Retirement is Going to be a BIG Adjustment
Barbara’s husband is constantly saying with you retiring, and not working anymore, not putting money in a 401k not investing. That’s going to be a big adjustment for both of us. And it’s just a big adjustment in the way you think. So she’d be interesting to know, what have other people done? What have other people decided? We could go buy a new truck? Do we need one? We could buy a travel trailer? What size? Is it better to get a motorhome? Do you invest in something that big when you’re not really sure that you’re going to enjoy that? Or do you do vacation rental by owner? Or do you do trusted house sitters?
It’s just this whole world is available to them. And yet, they still have a mindset of, they need to save for retirement. Now it’s here. It’s very, very interesting discussions they’re having these days.
Barbara’s 2021 Intentions
Barbara has tried to do new year’s resolutions in the past. It works about till February. And if it’s not a habit, within four weeks, it’s not going to happen. So she made a list of the kind of her top 10. Printed them up, and stuck them on her bathroom mirror, It’s not necessarily a resolution, but they’re just reminders that she looks upon, and they’re short. But the first one is to be open to new possibilities.
Barbara has been doing the same department, not the same job. But she has been in the same place for 44 years. And it’s just time to be open to kind of what’s new. She’s just kind of keeping an open hand and an open heart about what her life could be this year and just trying some new things.
Find What Sets You Up
For those of us that are entering retirement, don’t be in too big of a hurry to jump into a lot of things. But the things you do jump into make sure they’re fulfilling and worthwhile and what you want. Because unlike a job where you need a paycheck, and maybe you stick in a lot longer than you normally would, because leaving a job and coming and going has its consequences. When you’re retired, you should be able to do what you want, when you want to and, and derive some sense of satisfaction from it, rather than just enduring and sticking in.
Are you thinking of settling into San Diego for your golden years? San Diego is a worthy option for your golden years. From mountains to beaches, the area has a little bit of everything for everyone. If you’re considering making San Diego your retirement spot, Rock Your Retirement wants to help ensure you make a good choice. Here are a few questions to think about to help guide your decision-making.
What kind of community will you live in?
Seniors have many options when it comes to living arrangements. Some seniors choose to age-in-place and will need to make a few home modifications as suggested by Geriatric Medicine — like installing non-slip flooring and grab bars to protect against falls — to make their home as safe as possible. Other seniors may decide to live in a retirement community, where they can be social and worry less about their needs. If this sounds like your cup of tea, there are lots of options — but the two most common communities are assisted living and independent living.
In an independent living community, you may have a private condo in a building with common spaces and special services and amenities. If your health is a concern, an assisted living center might be a better choice in the long run. Here you’ll get more specialized care with everyday activities like bathing, dressing, and taking medications while still maintaining a level of independence.
What do you want to spend your days doing?
San Diego is a city that is bursting with vibrant life. The city offers options for art, music, shopping, theatre, cuisine, and cultural exploration. Visit the Gaslamp Quarter for history and the arts, La Jolla for snorkeling, Little Italy for craft beer, and world-class chefs. Sports lovers can hit the links at Torrey Pines or watch racing at Del Mar. From museums to hiking, there is a little something for everyone to savor.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. Experience the opportunities yourself by staying in a San Diego vacation rental, such as through TurnKey. You can get the lay of the land by staying in one of the city’s many unique neighborhoods and get a feel for what it will be like living in one of the neighborhoods, finding your niche among its diverse and friendly residents.
When is the right time to make a decision?
There is a lot to think about when making retirement plans. It’s important to zero in on the things that matter most to you and prioritize your needs and wants. Before you move consider:
Proximity to family. Do you have young grandkids you want to help raise? Some seniors like the idea of giving their family some space and becoming a vacation destination.
Cost of living (especially on a fixed income). Is San Diego a place you can afford with your savings, 401k, Social Security benefits, and any other income you can expect to pull in?
Healthcare services. Does San Diego offer the right kind of doctors and facilities for your current and potential healthcare needs? If you aren’t sure, assess your family history and current health. Start making lifestyle changes now — like getting sufficient sleep, getting more exercise, and eating more fruits and vegetables — to make health concerns less of a challenge for retirement.
Downsizing challenges. Will the items in your home all fit into a new space or will you need to downsize? Downsizing can be a bittersweet process for many seniors, as Mymove points out. Take it slow, and with manageable steps over time so you aren’t feeling rushed on making a decision about what stays and what goes.
Living in San Diego can be a thrilling adventure, especially for people over 65. Whether you love the city life or the great outdoors, San Diego is a place where you can have a little — or a lot — of both. Know your retirement priorities and immerse yourself in San Diego life to get a good idea of your options.
Connect with Rock Your Retirement for more tips and advice that will help make your golden years shine!
As a senior herself, Sharon Wagner understands that an older body and mind impacts the daily lives of many seniors. She created SeniorFriendly.info to offer advice geared specifically toward seniors to help them make healthier choices and enjoy their golden years.
Angie Strehlow who helps us get great guests that help us with our retirement lifestyle while keeping everything on track…and helps with these show notes!
Les Briney, my husband, who edits the show and makes my guests and me sound terrific.
Sharon Drury, who volunteers her time to work on transcription for us.
YOU for telling your friends about the show, leaving comments below, and sharing episodes you really like on Facebook, and reviewing the show on iTunes
When it comes to making sure you age in a comfortable, independent, and safe environment, seniors have many options. It’s important to think about what you want and to consider what you are capable of— from a health and financial standpoint. Most seniors look at three options for comfortable retirement living:
where an assisted living facility comes in. Essentially seniors can live independently in an apartment or condo-style residence with shared common rooms and access to professionals who can help with:
Starting in August of 2020, we started following the life of a 
Today, we will talk about one of the 
perspective. Figure out something to put on your calendar or something to look forward to because we don’t have anything to look forward to, it just gets bleaker and bleaker and bleaker. Think about things for which you are grateful.
Get On the Right Track
for both of us. And it’s just a big adjustment in the way you think. So she’d be interesting to know, what have other people done? What have other people decided? We could go buy a new truck? Do we need one? We could buy a travel trailer? What size? Is it better to get a motorhome? Do you invest in something that big when you’re not really sure that you’re going to enjoy that? Or do you do vacation rental by owner? Or do you do trusted house sitters?
Are you thinking of settling into San Diego for your golden years? San Diego is a worthy option for your golden years. From mountains to beaches, the area has a little bit of everything for everyone. If you’re 