| As a Realtor specializing in retirement communities, I | | | | A retirement home is often a one-level design. If it is |
| can tell you the thing that people have the most | | | | a 2-story, at least one bedroom should be on the |
| difficulty with when they get older is deciding | | | | first floor. There should be grab bars in the |
| whether or not to move from their current home. | | | | bathroom, wider bedroom doors and hallways, |
| Very often, children of the older retirees want the | | | | lowered light switches, and at least one ramp-type |
| parents to move into a retirement community that | | | | entrance. |
| offers an easier way of life for them, but the | | | | Maintenance: Someone else takes care of things that |
| parents don't want to leave their home of many | | | | used to take a large percentage of my time. The |
| years. This is the biggest decision of your aging | | | | maintenance of grounds and exteriors are done by |
| years. Statistics show most people decide to stay in | | | | the association which includes snow shoveling. Having |
| their current home. But is it best for you. | | | | these things done for you is the number one reason |
| If you have the support of your family, deciding to | | | | why people do move. Ask yourself, are there other |
| move should be easier. But it isn't. If you think | | | | things you would rather be doing. Because everything |
| moving to a retirement community is better for you, | | | | in this retirement home is easier on us and so many |
| then what is holding you back? | | | | things are done for us, we have more time to do |
| The main reason people give for not wanting to | | | | other things like traveling and being with our |
| leave their home is the memories they have there. It | | | | grandchild. |
| is the home that their children grew up in and holds all | | | | The Neighborhood: The neighborhood is better. My |
| of their happiest memories. Remember that when | | | | old neighborhood had totally changed. My friends had |
| you moved to your present home, it was for a | | | | moved on and new younger families took their place. |
| reason. You built memories there. The same thing will | | | | Here there are people my own age I can relate to. |
| happen when you move to a new home. You will | | | | The peace and quiet here is invaluable as I age as |
| build new memories and new friends. | | | | well as the security gate and patrol. |
| Here are some of the reasons you may have for | | | | The Climate and Environment: As we age, we don't |
| moving: | | | | tolerate cold weather as well. Also, the cleaner air of |
| The Design of the Home: I don't know how I would | | | | the country may be better for our health. Having |
| have done if I had stayed in my home. It was a | | | | two homes may be impossible for most so moving |
| 2-story home with reverse living, meaning the | | | | may be the only way to enjoy a milder climate. |
| bedrooms were downstairs and the kitchen and living | | | | It's hard to give up memories. In your new home, |
| room were upstairs. In my current retirement home, | | | | you can take out photos and display them to give |
| the laundry room is just out my door literally a few | | | | you comfort. Keep some furniture items from your |
| steps away and it is cleaned every week by | | | | old home. Create new memories. Because you will |
| someone else. The garbage is put down a chute in | | | | have more time, you can look forward to being with |
| the hallway. My kitchen is half the size but everything | | | | your grandchildren more often. |
| is within easy reach. | | | | |