Page 16 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2025 - Online Magazine
P. 16
SENIOR RESOURCES
LIVING YOUR BEST
RETIREMENT LIFE
by Barbara Jensen
when you or your spouse go to
another level of care, the only
difference in monthly price for the
two of you is for the extra meals for
one person.
Look for a community where a
percentage (about 40%) of monthly
fees paid is considered a tax credit
(or deduction) for medical expenses
during the past year, whether you
actually had them or not. Also,
check whether the CCRC is For
Profit or Not for Profit. You’ll want a
hink you’re “not ready” Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing, place where you are more important
for true retirement living? all in the same or an adjacent than a shareholder. And last, walk
TThink again! Maybe your building so that if one of you needs down the halls in Assisted Living
grandparents were placed in an extra care, you’re still close. If you and Skilled Nursing to assess the
“old folks’ home,” but today’s want to travel, the CCRC can watch quality of care.
Continuing Care Retirement your house, water your plants, and
Community (CCRC) is nothing like mow your lawn. If you are ready to let go of
that. grocery shopping, fixing meals,
If this sounds appealing, look and climbing on the roof to put up
CCRCs are springing up into the difference between the Christmas lights; if you are ready
nationwide, offering independent monthly fee for Independent Living to downsize your collection of
living with activities and versus Assisted or other levels of knickknacks; if you are ready to
entertainment—like exercise groups, care. In Texas, the law says that write a new chapter in the book of
dancing, excellent dining, trips to communities or “homes” for seniors your life; maybe it is time to make
football games, the symphony, or must provide three meals per day. sure it as worry-free as possible. It’s
even the beach, all in an atmosphere In many CCRCs, the cost difference better to be in a wonderful CCRC
of fun and friendship. It’s like being between Independent Living and five years too soon, ensuring your
on a cruise ship but with a nicer any other level of care is only the medical future, than a day too late.
stateroom! You can keep your car, additional cost for meals. Per month
your friends, and your church. fees of private pay for Assisted So, check it out--visit the places
The only thing you give up is the Living right now (December 2024) you’ve heard about, meet the staff
hassle of maintaining your own are about $6,000, and for Skilled and residents, look them over, sniff
residence—things like mowing the Nursing about $8,000 or higher. In around, and find the best place to
yard, fixing the roof, and property some retirement homes, that is in live the rest of your very best life.
taxes. Some CCRCs also offer addition to the monthly residential
Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, fee. Look for a community where,
16 Lubbock Senior Link
