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I’m a fairly healthy 81, but need a little assistance. Thru Silvernest.com, I found a housemate -very energetic &youthful 65. You have to agree to trying the situation out and you
MUST have available space for privacy for each. But this can work out: my HM lives here for nothing in exchange for help. For those who have the space necessary. I recommend one of these senior
housesharing websites. They get b’gnd checks & provide you with their profiles of themselves. (E.G. anyone who lives with me HAS to like dogs!) Silvernest is only one of several of these homesharing sites: Try it; I found a great gal who likes to cook, garden & keep order! Good luck - we’re all going to need help at some point!
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jdmason May 2019
Unfortunately Silvernest only seems to cover major metro areas.  People who live in small towns are out of luck.
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I can empathize with you so much on this issue. I recently went through an experience trying to get some help because I can no longer do certain things myself due to severe arthritis. There is "light housekeeping" help but nothing for things other than laundry and dusting. They even made it sound like they don't do dishes. The "chore service" program that does heavier jobs like windows is for those ready for the nursing home but want to stay in their own homes. They can get all kinds of help. If you're not ready for a nursing home, though, you can't get it. The whole experience was extremely frustrating and a big disappointment. Some of these programs that are designed to help the elderly are not what people think they are. Moreover, they are not what they make them out to be, so it sounds like help is available when it is not. It drove me to tears. I fear another winter like the one we just had. Can't pay for snow removal and can't do it myself; can't move into an apartment either. It's possible that some states are different than the one I reside in, so I wouldn't give up hope. Iowa is lousy, though.
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JoAnn29 May 2019
Do u own where u live? Of so, why can't u sell?
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Aside from contacting your local Office of Aging for advice, research Medicaid and get all the documents in order that you will need for that while you still can: https://www.senior-planning.com/document-checklist/. Appoint a medical POA and a financial POA. They can be your lawyer, if you cannot rely on anyone else. I cannot stress enough about having your papers in order. Let someone know where these documents are. I had to do this for my mom and all I had was an old driver's license and her SS number. I also had POA fortunately. It was a LOT of work getting everything else.
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I ask myself the same question all the time. I think there are so many more of us in this situation than we know. It is a huge worry. I so hope your Office of Aging can guide you and offer solutions!
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Rusti, how sensible you are to think about this before you're forced to.

FF beat me to it, but I too was going to suggest you look up your local Area Agency on Aging and have a talk with them. Even if they don't have immediate answers to every question they will certainly be able to point you in the right directions.

Leaving aside the question of your good friend just for the moment, how would you feel about moving away from your community? How long have you lived there?
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Rusti, I can understand your concern. I am also feeling that way as I have no siblings and no children. Thus, I need to do the logistics on my own.

Later down the road, when you find you need help, be thankful we have Medicaid [which is different from Medicare] for those who are on a limited income. With Medicaid, if you need to move to a nursing home, Medicaid will pay for your room/board and care.

In between, check with your County Agency on Aging [or whatever it is called in your area] to see what is available right now. Being you are in a small isolated community, the availability of programs may be limited.

I commend you for thinking ahead. Just a thought, would you be able to budget to live in the town that is 30 miles away? I was thinking it may give you more options in regard to County programs. Any chance your dear friend and you could share an apartment to save money? Or would it be like Felix and Oscar?
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Isthisrealyreal May 2019
But Felix and Oscar made it work FF.
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