| In South Orange County, California finding affordable | | | | every 2-3 weeks to check on where his mother was |
| rentals for anyone, let alone a senior citizen who has | | | | on "the list". Finally one came up. This particular |
| very little savings, sounds like a true oxymoron. | | | | complex had one coming up in a couple of weeks. My |
| However with some research, time and a great deal | | | | mother-in-law was actually still a few names off, but |
| of persistence something that resembles, or at least | | | | since the manager knew she had to be out of her |
| comes close to being budget conscious can be | | | | present apartment by the end of the same month |
| attained. | | | | and my husband had been so good about checking in, |
| Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, my | | | | she let the space go to her. |
| mother-in-law found herself in need of a new place | | | | The apartment has a shuttle service several times a |
| to live after over 30 years in her rent-controlled | | | | week to the local markets, to several medical offices |
| apartment. She had been in a run down building in | | | | (which included her Kaiser-Permanente clinic), an |
| Hollywood. Her landlord had passed away and the | | | | exercise room, a craft room, internet access (as well |
| relatives were selling the building. Thanks to my | | | | as classes!), weekly get-togethers and a host of |
| husband's research he found that there were several | | | | supervised activities. They also have laundry rooms |
| options, none of which would be at the same | | | | on each floor, central air-conditioners, private patios |
| $460.00 a month, but closer to us and in a much | | | | and dishwashers. All things her current place never |
| better area than what she had been living in. | | | | even considered having! |
| Living in South Orange County, we were able to | | | | Here are a listing of some of the alternative senior |
| check out the different areas personally. Since my | | | | housing areas we found: |
| mother-in-law doesn't drive and is 78, we had to | | | | Freedom Village in Lake Forest: This is a |
| make a list of definite needs to make the transition | | | | religious-based complex, but it is open to everyone. |
| for both her and us as smooth as possible. | | | | Should it be necessary, assisted living and nursing |
| We decided we had to have it close by, but not too | | | | centers are available on site. |
| close-we wanted to keep our privacy and make sure | | | | Heritage Park and Square in Ladera Ranch: These |
| she would not rely on us to take her places. The | | | | were the most expensive and the nicest. No |
| complex had to either have a bus stop within walking | | | | transportation, but otherwise had many social |
| distance or a shuttle service. The most important | | | | amenities available. |
| was that she had to be able to afford the apartment | | | | Buena Vida at Town Center in Rancho Santa |
| on her own, since neither we nor my sister-in-law | | | | Margarita: Senior apartments. Amenities were |
| could afford to supplement her social security. If | | | | available, but not plentiful. |
| possible, since she wouldn't know anyone, we were | | | | Fountain Glen in Laguna Niguel: Senior apartments. Due |
| hoping that there would be a social calendar for her | | | | to long wait list of over a year, we didn't consider |
| to get involved with or a senior center close by. | | | | the area. |
| Thanks to our local Social Security Office, they | | | | Hacienda del las Palmas in Laguna Hills: Closest to us, |
| pointed us to the internet. We googled "affordable | | | | too close. However it had not only senior apartment, |
| rentals for senior citizens". We narrowed the search | | | | but if necessary, assisted living, residential car and |
| down to our particular part of Orange County. We | | | | Alzheimer's Care-the only one that did. |
| were able to locate several complexes and check | | | | Renaissance at the Regency and it's sister, the |
| them out. All but a "high end" offering had a lengthily | | | | Wellington in Laguna Woods and Aliso Viejo: Both are |
| wait list. Thankfully they all gave us an average of | | | | independent retirements centers which have both |
| 6-12 months, which we managed to work out with | | | | kitchens or without and use of a dining facility. These |
| the family who now owned her building. They were | | | | also had assisted living as well as residential care. |
| also going to give her a re-location settlement, which | | | | Pricey and very "hotelish". |
| would provide her with funds to afford a mover and | | | | There are many others available, but all, again, have |
| offset the cost of the rent increase. | | | | long waiting lists. The best suggestions: |
| All the places had brochures, applications and floor | | | | Decide what the most important amenities are, what |
| plans available for us to take back and discus with | | | | is the highest amount that the renter can afford to |
| her. She decided on two. Then it was a waiting game. | | | | pay and then contact the local social security office |
| My husband would call the apartment managers | | | | for the best direction in which to start the hunt. |