1. Invite in part-time help.

Some seniors don’t want to give up their own homes, even when the home is larger than they need and a burden to care for. Home share programs match up a younger person or couple to live in a senior’s home with them. Living with a younger couple or individual to help with physical chores and a sense of security can help seniors remain independent longer. These part time caregivers can drive seniors, do household chores and errands, and help seniors remember their medications. This younger-housemate option could be facilitated by creating a separate private unit within the home, where building codes allow. Check out the page Trial Run: Join a Household.

2. Invite in full-time help and other seniors.

If affordable round-the clock care is needed, you might look for care-team members who can move in rent-free in exchange for part-time caregiving duties. Having reliable people close by can bring you peace of mind when you or someone you love needs consistent help. These could be part of a team that includes paid professionals that come periodically to meet specialized needs. You might invite another elder needing similar care to move in, if the residents seem they might enjoy each others’ company.

3. Invite in other seniors.

Living with other seniors in the same home is an idea popularized by the sitcom The Golden Girls. Many seniors value the company and security this gives them. People nearing retirement may be looking to pool their income with a few other compatible individuals or couples.

4. Cohousing for seniors.

Condominiums (also called strata) have been one of the fastest-growing types of residential facilities targeting retirees. These cohousing residents have their own separate units but some shared space such as recreational and laundry facilities. Some of these are housing cooperatives in which residents own shares in the collective and have participation in the community’s governance. They can hire out physical chores and feel comfortable that there’s medical help nearby whenever needed. Some communities contract for affordable care, so that members have increased assistance as they age. One of the biggest draws is continued social contact, which is a challenge for the elderly as their cohort gets smaller over the years.

5. Enjoying retirement outside urban environments.

Buying semi-rural or rural property together may result in a more affordable location in a scenic spot. If it’s not a priority to have a location close to health care, buying remote land can offer a way to live closer to outdoor recreation opportunities than most working adults can afford. To discuss feasibility of utilizing remote land for multiple dwellings or for RV parking, contact one of our trusted real estate professionals listed on the consultants page or the consultants section below.