senior living tips Archives | Bretton Woods in Davis

Smaller Homes are the “Right-Size”

February 25, 2020/in New Home Senior Community, Updates/by Sally Galli

Today’s trend of decluttering and simplified living has become popular among all generations. Along with the benefits of easier maintenance and upkeep, people are realizing the cost savings that come with smaller, sustainable, energy-efficient living. However, many people are wary of the prospect of downsizing. And, it’s not just baby boomers who are joining in the “right-sizing” mind-set. Many millenials are also searching for homes with less maintenance and taking advantage of the energy savings of owning a smaller home. Living more sustainably and saving on energy costs are big draws in the attraction of downsizing,

A recent article published by AP News breaks down the benefits of finding a “right-sized” home. They write, “It scares people to think of moving into a smaller space, but every single person I interviewed who has made the transition says they are so happy they did.”

Home Design Tips For Senior Housing

February 23, 2020/in New Home Senior Community, Updates/by Sally Galli

One of the largest generations is now looking for a new type of home. Baby Boomers are in the market for smaller homes so that they can age in place within their existing communities. However, very few homes incorporate all the features to help achieve this goal. An remarkable 3.5% of all homes in the U.S. include features that make it accessible for senior. Some of these senior features include extra-wide hallways and doors, main-floor master bedrooms, and handrails in the bathroom.

According to a recent article from the National Association of Homebuilders they predict that people 65 and older will jump from 26% of the population to 34% percent in 2038, with the fastest-growing age group among them in the 80+ category. However, the report notes that they’re less likely to move, with only 3.6% of individuals aged 65-79 — compared to 13.6% of those under 50 — relocating in 2017-2018, more than half of which relocated within the same county.

Right-Sizing Without the Fear of Losing Space

February 21, 2020/in News/by Sally Galli

Both millennials and baby boomers are starting to be drawn to a similar type of home, a smaller one. These smaller “right-sized” homes are attracting millennials to help keep the clutter out and less yard maintenance. Baby Boomers are also finding themselves moving into “right-sized” homes now that their children have grown and moved out. One problem that this second group is finding, however, is clearing the clutter that they have amassed over the years.

In a recent article from Realtor Magazine, they write that “idea of moving to a smaller space can scare people at first. Once they do, time and again, people used the word ‘liberated’ to describe their move to a smaller space, with homes requiring far less time and money to maintain.”

How To Downsize Successfully

January 27, 2020/in News/by Sally Galli

Downsizing is one of the hardest things you will have to do. What should stay and what should go? Then when you finally narrow it down, you find you need to narrow it down even more. In addition to the larger items like furniture, there is all the memorbilia, clothes, heirlooms, dishes… The list goes on!

In a recent Wall Street Journal article they intereviewed, Deborah Miller Lakoff who was a top Hollywood talent agent for over 40 years. She represented big names like William Devane, Ned Beatty, Bob Uecker and Julio Iglesias. For proof, one could just look in her garage.

Pets are Critical for Senior Adults

January 27, 2020/in News/by Sally Galli

Whether it be a cat or a dog, the answer is clear… Pets make a huge difference in the lives of seniors. Increased activity is one obvious benefit, but the companionship that a pet offers is slim to none. The “unconditional love” a pet can give you, regardless if you live alone or not, is the number one benefit that owning a pet can offer you.

A recent article from Forbes reported that “When it comes to deciding where to live in retirement, 70% of respondents said their pet is a factor in making the decision, and 82% said they would not consider moving to a senior living community without their pet. When asked if they would feel lonelier without their pet, most (86%) said they definitely would. They also indicated that they wouldn’t be as healthy without their pet.”

5 Tips to Downsizing

January 5, 2020/in Healthy Senior Living/by Sally Galli

Downsizing. It’s inevitable. At some point in all of our lives we are going to need to clear out the clutter and downsize our homes. But what exactly do you keep and what do you toss? It is a very difficult undertaking to take on. Cleaning a home full of clutter, furniture, memories, and photos can be exhausting (and intimidating) but it doesn’t need to be.

In a recent article from Daily Caring we learn five handy tips to help you downsize.

1. Pace yourself
Going through a lifetime of important memories isn’t something you can get done in a weekend or even a week. Be realistic and take the time to make thoughtful decisions.

Pick one box or collection of items and go through piece by piece without rushing. After you finish with that box, then start on another.

How to Downsize

January 5, 2020/in News/by Sally Galli

One of the hardest challenges many seniors face is downsizing. However, it can be something to look forward to. Some seniors enjoy the idea of moving to a smaller place with less maintenance and upkeep. If you are looking to downsize, or if it’s time to have a conversation with your loved one about downsizing, timing is everything.

The decision to downsize is only one part of the equation. Once you’ve made the decision or have had the talk with your loved one about moving to a smaller home, there are an abundance of decisions that need to be made. Here are a few steps to help guide you through this difficult process.

Step #1: Choosing a New Place to Call Home

SeniorLiving.org writes “For a number of reasons, the most important thing to address first when downsizing is to determine where the senior’s next home will be. Considerations must be addressed such as whether or not the senior has memory issues, mobility concerns, their level of caregiving needs, budget constraints, the location of their loved ones and the preference of the senior. Deciding where they will move allows them to figure out just how much downsizing will be necessary. Furthermore, it may help the senior begin to feel more comfortable about the move and be far less reluctant and remorseful about the situation.

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Step #1: Choosing a New Place to Call Home