When I first began my practice in elder law in Chester County, Pennsylvania the choices retirees confronted varied quite a bit from those faced today. Generally speaking, clients in the Philadelphia suburbs where most of my clients were located then, were typical “middle class” couples, individuals, and families who were neither extremely wealthy nor seriously poor. There were exceptions, of course. Some had been successful in business or employment beyond the mean or had inherited wealth. Some had generous employment retirement benefits – a factor even more common today. On the other hand, some, by reason of age, infirmity or difficult circumstances beyond their control were struggling. I rarely saw clients over 75 -85 years old.
Back then there were often resources available for those who struggled by reason of age or infirmity – never enough and many required moves to nursing facilities or other living arrangements outside the home – but it was not as difficult as it is today to obtain benefits to cover care for those who need it.
Much of this story has changed. On the positive side advances in modern medicine are responsible for some of this. The person who passed from a heart attack in years gone by often survives well beyond that today and, in many cases, successfully. Modern medicine and therapies in our area have enabled people to continue on well beyond what used to be considered the average life span. I am
speaking in generalities, of course, and based on what I see, but I have had clients over age 90 or 95 and one over age 100 many still competent and active, some amazingly so. When I asked couples in the past if either of them had been hospitalized in the year or so prior to our appointment the answer was generally in the negative. Today, I am sometimes amazed at the number of procedures, surgeries, medications and life style modifications that have enabled people to continue on successfully, many happily so. We are fortunate to live in an immediate area with excellent hospital resources nearby.
However, I also serve individuals and families at a greater distance stretching through surrounding counties now and other areas of Pennsylvania, some of them with resources not so generous. Even in our area, though, we have lost hospitals much of it due to acquisitions and then sales by larger entities.
With all of these changes have come choices to be made. One major one for many clients is whether to continue living in the family home or to move and, if moving is the choice, is a continuing care retirement community the preferred choice or personal care, independent living, or moving in with your children or something else entirely.
Sometimes we work with real estate – adding additions to the house to accommodate grandparents, parents and children in an extended family or downsizing to move to an apartment. House sales are a frequent one but not the only choice.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities are a common option today. In the US CCRC’s have become a staple of everyday living and a topic of conversation among seniors trying to determine whether they should stay at home or move to an environment specially adapted to provide for their needs as they age. There is no lack of opportunity to learn about communities in the immediate area or in desired new locations including those closer to friends and family or moves to locations with perceived better climate or amenities. There are many decisions to be made. However, for individuals and couples who have lived often many years in the homes where they raised their children the decision whether and when to move has real consequences and is not to be taken lightly. It is also deciding whether this is affordable – another service where we may be of help along with individual and couples’ financial advisors.
I have met and discussed change with many individuals and couples trying to decide. Here is the “Goldilocks” question. If you are comfortable where you are you might not feel a reason to move. Your family and friends could be near or far away. On the other hand If your health deteriorates, you or you and your spouse might not be accepted for admission. You can stay or leave. The choices are yours. If you need help making decisions that affect your future, help is available.
