Happy New Year from myLifeSite! We hope your holiday season was filled with joy, rest, and time with those you care about. As we begin 2020, here’s a look back at the five most-read myLifeSite blog posts of 2019.
#5: One Word That Should be Removed from Senior Living Lingo
Certain words can trigger strong reactions, both positive and negative—words like family, work, home, taxes, or vacation. Working in senior living, I often think about the specific terminology used in our industry and the words related to aging that circulate in broader society. Thoughtful changes to the language we use could improve the public’s perception of senior living and make the industry more appealing and marketable.
#4: 3 Reasons Seniors Delay a CCRC Move & Why They Should Reconsider
AARP research identified the most common reasons people hesitate to move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC or life plan community) or another senior living option: the physical stress of moving, fear of losing independence, anxiety about leaving a familiar community, emotional attachment to a family home, and fear of the unknown.
Those findings align closely with our 2019 myLifeSite Consumer Survey. Even when prospective residents recognize that a CCRC could be the best long-term choice, various concerns often cause them to delay. Here are the three most common reasons people postpone a CCRC move—and some considerations that may make them rethink that delay.
#3: Will Aging in Place Soon Become a Thing of the Past?
In the past decade the phrase “aging in place” has become widely used, driven by articles and surveys showing that the majority of older adults want to remain in their homes as long as possible. But could aging in place eventually be seen as the least desirable option for many older adults? It may sound bold, but there are signs that attitudes and practical realities could shift in that direction. We explore early indicators and what they might mean for the future of senior living.
#2: Crunch the Numbers: Staying in Your Home vs. Moving to a CCRC
Our 2019 myLifeSite Consumer Survey revealed several factors that keep people from deciding about a CCRC or that cause them to postpone a move. The top reason given was simply feeling “not old enough” to move to a CCRC (46.6 percent of respondents). The second most common concern was the long-term affordability of CCRC living (41.9 percent).
Many assume that remaining in their current home is cheaper month to month than moving to a CCRC. The reality depends on individual circumstances—health needs, home maintenance, unexpected care costs, and local housing markets all affect the calculation. Our post breaks down the financial considerations so you can weigh the true costs and benefits of each option.
And the most-read blog post we wrote in 2019 was…
#1: 5 Reasons to Make Your CCRC Move Sooner Than Later
Our 2019 myLifeSite Consumer Survey provided useful insight into why people delay moving to a CCRC. The most common answer was “I don’t feel like I’m old enough for a retirement community,” chosen by more than 46 percent of respondents.
That raises two important questions: When is the right time to move to a CCRC, and what is the ideal age? If a CCRC seems like the right fit for your lifestyle and future needs but you feel you’re not yet old enough, consider these five reasons to make the move sooner rather than later. Moving earlier can secure choice of residence, access to services and amenities while you’re healthy, and peace of mind knowing care options are available as needs evolve.
Senior living blog posts you can use!
Each week myLifeSite publishes new blog posts on topics that matter to seniors and their families. Visit our main blog page to read recent posts, sign up for updates when new articles are published, or search past posts for information that interests you. If you’re researching CCRCs, try our online community search tool to explore available options.