By Karina Loyo, PhD

At some point, you may face the decision of whether to age-in-place or explore community living options. Of course, you love your home and want to stay put, and that might be the best option for you. However, many people find their homes are not age-friendly. Features like stairs, thresholds, narrow hallways, or doors can become hazards, increasing the risk of falls. While some two-story homes have a downstairs bedroom, not all do. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, less than 13.9% of homes in the West South Central U.S. are ready to meet our aging needs.

As your health changes, so should your environment. It should support your evolving needs. While none of us really want to think about these changes, proactively planning ahead rather than waiting for a crisis can give you more control over your life and allow you to enjoy yourself longer.

You probably visited a grandparent or aunt in a nursing home in your youth and had a suboptimal experience. But that was in the 1980s and 1990s. Things have changed significantly! Most retirement communities today are like cruise ships on land. They offer fine dining, activities, fitness centers, onsite health teams, and much more.

Do you remember when you were a kid and loved hanging out with your best friend who lived just a few doors down? That is the kind of experience you could have in a modern retirement community. My mom hesitated to live in “one of those places.” We encouraged her to try it out for 30 days. After the first week, I asked if she was ready to come back home. She said, “Absolutely not!” She had found so many things to do and made new friends. She wished she had moved sooner.

While community living is not for everyone, you won’t know how you feel about it unless you explore a few options. My recommendation is to explore them before you need them. Think of it like dating; you don’t know if you’ll be a match unless you spend some time in the community and ask questions to see if you are a good fit.

One thing is for certain: while we can try to maintain our health throughout our lifespan, there may come a time when difficult decisions must be made. Wouldn’t it be better to have done some research so that you can make a more informed decision about whether it is best for you to age-in-place or move to community living?