Pea-n-Me
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
I agree with the idea of moving to somewhere where conditions are more suitable as you age, especially if you are alone. The problem with some of these places are their COST, and I think the key words in your post are that you're on a FIXED INCOME. I take that to mean that cost is one of your biggest considerations.
I know this isn't for everyone, but what we did for my mother when she got to the place that you are, and still had to work in order to make ends meet, was to build an in-law apartment onto our home for her. It worked for her, and it worked for us, since she was an hour+ away and it was hard with our working to go down there to take care of things or help her if she needed it all the time. Having her right here made it easier for everyone. And that's been true especially as she's aged - she's 92 now and has been with us for about 23 years.
When we built it, we made it handicap accessible, and it's all one floor living. I remember at the time, her saying she didn't need a sit down shower and all that, but guess what, now she uses it. (I'd say the one floor living part is pretty important for most people as they age.)
I explored a lot of other options prior to our deciding on the in-law set up, and honestly, on a fixed income it is difficult to live even in a condo if there are condo fees and such after paying everything else. And if you own your own home, i.e. have assets, it can be difficult to get into "affordable" housing, but much of that probably depends on what the rules are where you live.
I know this isn't for everyone, but what we did for my mother when she got to the place that you are, and still had to work in order to make ends meet, was to build an in-law apartment onto our home for her. It worked for her, and it worked for us, since she was an hour+ away and it was hard with our working to go down there to take care of things or help her if she needed it all the time. Having her right here made it easier for everyone. And that's been true especially as she's aged - she's 92 now and has been with us for about 23 years.
When we built it, we made it handicap accessible, and it's all one floor living. I remember at the time, her saying she didn't need a sit down shower and all that, but guess what, now she uses it. (I'd say the one floor living part is pretty important for most people as they age.)
I explored a lot of other options prior to our deciding on the in-law set up, and honestly, on a fixed income it is difficult to live even in a condo if there are condo fees and such after paying everything else. And if you own your own home, i.e. have assets, it can be difficult to get into "affordable" housing, but much of that probably depends on what the rules are where you live.