Parents who reach their retirement years often ask their children for advice about the future. Should they remain in the family home or downsize? If they downsize, should they buy or rent? Should they remain in their present community or move to a different city? Would they be happier in a traditional neighborhood or in […]
Updated July 2025 During the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, older Americans dramatically slowed the rate at which they moved into senior housing facilities. By the end of 2024, occupancy rates in most facilities approached or exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The industry projects 90% occupancy by 2026, with older adults turning to senior housing […]
Updated May 2025 Retirees have many options when they decide whether and where to relocate. Some decide to remain in their family home. Some cash in their home equity by downsizing while remaining in the same community. Some move closer to their adult children. Some move to a retirement community. Retirees who need care might […]
Reviewed April 2026 Retirement communities (sometimes known as retirement villages) are designed with older residents in mind. The occupancy of housing units is restricted to older adults. A minimum age of 50 or 55 for at least one resident is common. Some communities allow a younger spouse or adult children to live with the senior […]
Updated May 2026 When aging parents need help with their daily activities, their lives become more challenging. Hiring caretakers to help them stay in their homes may be the best option for some families. Adult children might want their parents to move into their homes, but that option works best when a family member is […]
Traditional retirement communities were conceived as places where older people would enjoy the companionship of neighbors who are part of their generation. Some seniors who live in those communities see the absence of children (apart from visitors) as contributing to a restful retirement. Most retirement communities are located in suburbs and small cities, where developers […]
Updated March 2026 Most older Americans receive Social Security and participate in Medicare. Those programs help people meet their financial needs while assuring that they receive affordable healthcare. Yet those programs, combined with private retirement plans, are not always sufficient. The Census Bureau reports that, prior to the pandemic, one in six seniors relied on […]
Updated April 2025 When they can, seniors typically choose to live independently. Some remain in a family home while others downsize or enjoy the comfort of a retirement community. Seniors who need assistance coping with health conditions may depend on family members for help. They may instead opt to reside in an assisted living facility. […]
Aging in place is the preference of more than three quarters of Americans over the age of 50. Older Americans typically feel tied to their community and want to remain in their homes for as long as they can. Unfortunately, home repairs become more difficult to perform as homeowners age. Climbing a ladder might pose […]