Considering the Physical Aspects of the Decision
Which is best: moving to senior living or staying in your home?
If you’re starting to think about your next chapter, you’re not alone. Today, older adults have more options than ever—from retirement communities to assisted living to staying put with a little extra help. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to decide what’s right for you.
When planning your future, it helps to break things down into three main areas:
- Physical needs
- Social connections
- Financial considerations
In this blog, we’ll look at the physical aspects—specifically, what to consider when deciding between staying in your home or moving to a community. (Future blogs will look at the other two areas, so stay tuned!)
Let’s talk about your space and your well-being
Is keeping up with your home and yard still doable—and more importantly, is that how you want to spend your time? If you might need some extra help down the road, are there changes you’d need to make to your house? For example:
- Can you easily get in and out of your bath or shower?
- Is your laundry in the basement?
- Is your furniture arranged so you can move around safely?
Whether you choose to move or stay home, making changes to ensure you can easily navigate your space is critical. If you’ve lived in the same place for many years, you might need to declutter or rearrange furniture to create clear pathways. Sometimes, it’s as simple as swapping out a big sofa for a smaller chair. Other times, you may need to consider bigger updates, like adding a barrier-free shower or installing a ramp or elevator.
Walk-in showers are one of the physical aspects to think about when evaluating your home.
These are just some of the questions to keep in mind when you think about your future living space. Emily Beckwith, Harbor Memory Care at Bruceville Point Director, reminds residents that they have earned the ability to live their lives how they choose. “They’ve worked hard to afford forgoing nightly dish washing if they choose,” she added.
A night off from cooking or doing dishes is something we’ve all earned!
Sometimes the decision isn’t just about you—it’s about your family or friends, too.
“When I meet family members and they look absolutely exhausted, I know it’s time for something to change,” Emily said. “It’s time for them to go back to being a wife or a child, to enjoy their relationship again.” Hiring home health or moving to senior living are both options to relieve family members.
The decision to stay or go often is not about any one person, but is a family decision.
Remember, accepting help doesn’t mean giving up your autonomy. As Emily wisely shared, “I tell people to imagine walking a path. I might be placing pavers down in front of you to make it smoother, but you’re the one walking.”
Emily offers friendship, respect, and support to residents.
Accepting a little support can help you stay independent longer, because it gives you just the right amount of help, just when you need it, so you can say “yes” to those things that are most important to you.
Below is a simple checklist to help guide your decision-making. You deserve to make the choice that feels best for you and your family.
Would it be helpful to have assistance in these areas?
| Area – Household | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Meal Preparation | ||
| House cleaning | ||
| Laundry/linens | ||
| Bill paying | ||
| Transportation | ||
| Yard maintenance | ||
| Downsizing/Decluttering | ||
| Home projects to make your space safely navigable | ||
| Area – Personal Care | Yes | No |
| Bathing/showering | ||
| Daily grooming | ||
| Medication reminders | ||
| Medication administration | ||
| Dressing | ||
| Toileting |
Next month, we’ll look at the social impact of staying in your house or moving to a senior living community.
Our Counselors are here to help you make the best decision—whether that’s staying in your house or moving. If you have any questions about what might be best for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
For more information to guide your decision, see our full Stay or Go Guide.
