Stay or Go: Housing Options in Alexandria

DAVID HAYFORD

“Should I stay or should I go?” When The Clash sang those words back in the 1980s, they likely didn’t realize how relevant they would be to the attendees of the Housing Options and Home Improvement program presented at Beatley Library in Alexandria on February 20, 2020. The program was offered as part of the Senior Services of Alexandria’s Speaker Series.

As we age, one of the big decisions we must make is whether to age in place in our homes or to relocate, be it downsizing in the same community or moving elsewhere. All presenters acknowledged that this is a decision that needs to be considered carefully, with no one solution best for everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools and resources available to assist in making these decisions.

AARP’s HomeFit Guide is a resource to help you evaluate your home, and in turn determine whether you can age in place in a safe environment. Bob Eiffert of AARP Virginia’s Speaker Bureau highlighted some of the key features homeowners should consider if they choose to stay in their homes. Some important improvements include:

· Visible and well-lit house numbers, so emergency services, (or delivery drivers) can find your home easily.

· No-step entrances, which might include ramps or lifts.

· Task lighting – studies show that after the age of 60, we need twice as much light as we did at age 20.

· If you have stairs, stair treads or lift chairs can help.

· First floor bedrooms and baths, with plenty of room within to maneuver.

· Grab bars in the bathroom and seated prep stations in kitchens.

· Wide (36”) doorways, to accommodate wheelchairs.

Regardless of whether we choose to age in place or move, a key task we all face is decluttering many years’ worth of accumulated belongings, which Lori James of Atlas Services calls “smart sizing,” because we need to be smart about how we approach it. She suggests starting small, setting aside perhaps 15 minutes a day to tackle a single task. Even clearing out a drawer is progress toward the ultimate decluttering goal.

In deciding what to keep, we should ask ourselves whether the item is something we would purchase again, and whether it will serve us in the next phase of our life. If the item is still in good shape but you choose to let it go, you need to consider whether you can sell it or donate it. Depending on the value and volume of your items, you may want to consider employing a professional service that has experience in valuing, selling, and disposing household goods.

If you decide to stay in your home and need assistance in making needed accessible improvements, most communities have a variety of programs that can help. Tamara Jovovic and Arthur Thomas of the Alexandria Office of Housing shared some of the programs managed though their office, which includes loan programs for homeowners and grants for rental units to help residents bring the properties up to code and make accessibility modifications. Most of these programs do have income limits, and many are in high demand and wait-listed. Specific information for the City of Alexandria is available at https://www.alexandriava.gov/Housing; residents of other cities and counties can search for similar programs on their respective government websites.

If you decide to relocate, Lindsay Hutter of Goodwin House Inc. recommends you ask yourself “what” before you ask “where.” What will help you age successfully, in terms of physical activity, social interaction, spiritual fulfillment, and cognitive stimulation? Once you have determined the “what,” you can explore the possibilities for “where,” when you begin looking at senior living community options.

Levels of care in senior communities include:

· Active adult, which are typically age-restricted (55-plus) communities where residents live independently. They may have some amenities such as recreation, shops, and education options. The residences may be accessible single-family homes, townhomes, or condos.

· Independent living, which may include meals and housekeeping services in addition to other amenities, but where most residents are still independent and active. These residences are typically larger, multi-apartment buildings.

· Assisted living and memory care, where residents need assistance with two or more basic everyday tasks, such as dressing or mobility.

· Nursing care, where residents need skilled continuous medical care.

· Full continuum or continuing care retirement communities, which offer services that allow residents to progress from independent living to assisted living, to memory care, and to nursing care, as needed.

Hutter suggested that persons looking at senior living communities should do their homework to determine who owns and operates the facility (for-profit or non-profit) and whether the facility is committed to the care of older adults and in serving the community. They should also weigh the pros and cons of different payment plans offered, such as monthly fees with additional costs if you need to move to a different level, versus “life options,” where you may pay a higher entrance fee but your monthly fee is fixed, regardless of your progression to different levels.

What if you do decide to move and need to sell your home? Peter B. Crouch of McEnearney Associates recommended avoiding firms that offer to sell your home quickly. These offers could result in the sellers receiving less for their homes than those sold through a traditional real estate firm, Crouch said.

Crouch, who is a licensed real estate agent and broker, recommends working with a reputable real estate agent, especially one who has experience selling homes for older people. Crouch said he does not recommend either extensive renovations or elaborate staging when preparing a home for sale. The best option, he said, is to empty the home, clean it well, make necessary repairs, and then lightly stage using basic furnishings. A reputable real estate agent will help you determine a fair and comparable market price for your home and guide you through the process with minimal stress.

Attendees left the program with plenty of good information to assist in the “stay or go” decision.