Most of the time, the simple answer is “no.” There are a host of different options that are usually
more cost effective than relocating. They are also far less disruptive.
Emotionally the least popular option
is to reorganize the first floor so that there is no need to use the second floor. This option deserves
careful consideration although the biggest deterrent is usually the lack of a full bath on the first floor.
A more popular but under utilized
option is to install an “elevator chair.” There is a small market for resale of used
units. There are also companies that will offer a lease option. A major misperception
is that the unit will permanently mar the carpet or the floor. The quality companies can install the units
in a way that leaves nary a mark. And even if there is some damage, the value of the freedom and comfort
that is achieved is always going to be far greater than the cost of any repair. Thanks to the improvements
in technology and design, chair elevators can be installed on stairways that have a landing or even multiple landings.
Depending
on the size of the lot and the local zoning codes, consideration should be given to modifying the home. Three
questions deserving to be answered are: (a) how much will the construction work disrupt of the health and well being of the
occupants, (b) what is the likelihood that the cost of the modification can be recovered when the house is sold and (c) how
much are the property taxes going to increase as a result of the modification. The property tax question
is the one that often gets overlooked
If the full cost of the construction is not recovered when the home is sold, the project may still be financially prudent.
The construction cost is a one time, fixed expense whereas the cost of an assisted living is an ongoing expense.
The two different types of expenses deserve to be compared and carefully considered. Selling a house
for less money and paying the costs of an assisted can often mean more out-of-pocket expense than selling a house for more
money even if the total cost of the renovation is not recovered.
It won’t be long before the baby boomers are the largest share of the senior population. The
demand for a home that enables a person to live on one floor or for a “mother-daughter” home is going to increase
regardless of how the economy affects the real estate market.
A senior citizen recently told me that we are making too much of a fuss about
the different types of care. He said “care is care.” The conversation reminded me that today’s senior citizen grew up in an era when practically every caregiver was a family member. The caregiver probably was the spouse or an adult daughter who lived nearby. The conversation also reminded me that no one has any motivation to learn
about in-home care until there is a need. Unfortunately the scenario that provides the motivation to learn about home care often comes packaged as a surprise, or
worse, a crisis.
A common deterrent to learning about in-home care is the misperception that agreeing to allow any type of caregiver into the home is tantamount to surrendering personal dignity and independence. A common and irrational thought process among many senior citizens is that: “Since I have no intention of giving up dignity and independence, there is no need to learn about in-home care.” The stark reality is that a quality caregiver often enhances personal dignity and independence of a senior citizen; not the reverse.
A second deterrent
to learning about in-home care is the misperception that caregivers are only for the ill or infirm person. Ironically this can become a self
fulfilling prophecy. Many seniors are notorious for not eating well; many are equally notorious for cutting back on their activities; others become the unintentional victim of under-dosing or over-dosing medications
or mismanagement of the medication schedule. In short, many
seniors are often guilty of not taking care of themselves. Being a good spouse and parent has taught us to put the welfare of others ahead of
our own. Not eating properly, reducing intellectual and physical activity and foregoing our own well being are just
three elements of a
subtle phenomenon called
“failure to thrive.” A quality caregiver is often the first to recognize this phenomenon and can often assist in reversing or preventing
this from occurring.
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter hit the nail on the head when she wrote: “There are only four types of people in this world; those who are caregivers, those who have been
caregivers; those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.” Given this reality there is tremendous value in learning about in-home care. The uninformed and ill advised are positioning themselves to experience
an emotional and physical gauntlet that we should not wish upon our worst enemy.
