Going house hunting on Monday or I should say Townhouse hunting! After DH fell right outside the front door on Tuesday I have decided to start checking places on the ground floor. The listings the realtor sent me all have garages. It will be so nice to just carry groceries in from the garage instead of up 32 stairs. DH won't be going with me, tires easily and if he gets tired he will give up and not want to move. If I see anything that looks good he can go the next time and give his input. I hope it works out and of course I am not really looking forward to going through everything and packing and moving but we have to do it sooner or later.
Jean...have you given any thought to a retirement community? My parents sold the family home and moved into one of those nice settings where they "step down" as thier health issues arrive. First, they were in a nice "cottage" within the community. A VERY nice home by any standard. NO step-up or step-down areas. All the doorways and hallways were handicap accessable....extra wide. Even the shower was made to roll in a wheelchair! NICE two car garage, lots of storage. Big kitchen....Mom never missed her house! NO YARDWORK, but beautiful grounds all around. As thier health has declined, they moved into the main apartment complex (they didn't have to pay to be moved) and now have a small two bedroom apartment. VERY small, but works for them. Dad just misses his workshop. Misses his tools. Loves for me to send him pictures of my tractor, his tools and my workshop and whatever might be going on in there.....isn't that sweet? Anyhow, they're very happy there and even though it was an adjustment, they are doing well and are safe. They have a great restaurant there (2), too. I asked management and found that there are couples as young as 54 living there!!! Retired and really planning for thier futures! LOTS of activities, travel adventures (including cruises, etc.). I don't know how you are set financially, but maybe you should look into this? I would if I can when the time comes for myself. To tell the truth, though, I'm hoping to just EXPLODE one day, evaporate or be happily ejected and terminally (and immediately) extinquished by a fall from a horse!!!!!! Where mom and dad are, they pay around $4k a month.....when they go into assisted living, it is reduced to half.....when they are admitted to nursing care, they pay NOTHING. Well thought out, mom and dad!!
I am not ready for a retirement community. I am pretty sure there is nothing around here like the one your parents are in. I prefer to have my own home until it is no longer possible. Dh isn't far enough along for placement either so I would rather move to a new home while he is still pretty well aware...but thanks for the suggestion.