Downsizing Can Be Scary for a Senior. Senior Relocation Services! Get them NOW!

Imagine this.. You are scared, confused, often stressed, losing sleep, not eating well, worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow. I have met with several Seniors over the years, often ones that stay in their home longer than they should. 
And often times they describe just those feelings, the feeling of losing control, feeling as though they were a child again. Often times when they begin looking at senior living options, its after the loss of a loved one, or they had a scare or a fall, & can't remember things as clear like they once did. Often times a family member will get involved and make them start that journey towards Senior Living options. Which can be scary, but often Seniors are relieved once they have made the move.. It's getting to that part that are the stress filled times. 
How to make that an easier transition. 

Identify what it is they are wanting in a Senior Community, do they or would they enjoy a more Independent Living feel? Or do they need care now? Dressing, Bathing, & medication management? Begin your search with Assisted living. My recommendation is to have family members or friends, have the conversation now, ask your loved one, what do you want? If home is not the best fit, what would you like in a new home? Friends, Activities, Transportation, Help available by phone or 24/7 nurse? These are all great questions, then begin touring communities, scheduled appointments are always better- here is why.. The person working in sales, is just a regular person like you or I, if they planned x, y, & z for their day, i.e. picking their kid up from school, dr. appointment, mound of paperwork on their desk, the fact that you just walked in- already puts them to a somewhat unhappy place- even though they would never show that to you, but they may not want to go over an hour to discuss all the available options with you, because just like the 5 people before you, they have alot of things behind the scenes to get too. I have often heard, well I want to catch them when they don't have their best face on, I always say, you won't make a decision the 1st visit, so do your due diligence and make the 1st visit count so you can get all the facts up front. 
On your first visit, schedule the appointment.. Oh wait did I already say that? Also if you are overwhelmed- get a professional that can help narrow down your search, They can take your financial information and help you decide, price range, services, benefits, and help narrow it down to a few so you are not running everywhere. 
So schedule the tour, for the 1st visit, don't bring your loved one with you. Its very overwhelming and for 4-6 communities you can narrow it down to 2. If they are more independent bring them to 4 to make a choice, only 1 per day. Too many options is too many, often times they are stressed with worrying about the financials, getting stuck somewhere, and unhappy with their choice. Plus they are not crazy about moving in the first place. 

After you have toured 4-6 places, then reschedule with your top 2. Or go back a 2nd time without a scheduled tour, after hours after 6p.m. just to take a look, talk to some residents see if they like living there. 
Reschedule your top 2 and bring your family member, loved Senior one with you and maybe your husband, daughter whoever that can help make the decision, have lunch and talk a brief tour again. Talk over lunch, talk to other residents, if mom likes crocheting, do they have a crochet class, talk to members of that class. 

Choosing a community is not as hard as some make it, often the financials put you in 1 catagory or 2, a pay as you go, or a buy in community, the buy ins if you can afford them are wonderful, you get to stay and age in place. If you choose a pay as you go month to month, make sure if you are in Independent living, what is the plan if my loved one needs skilled, assisted, or memory care. If they do not have all of these options available, that is ok, alot of Seniors do have to move again at some point, even if it is just across the hall it is still a move. 

The key to all of this is start the conversations now. If they can move right into a community, then sell their home, have an estate sale etc. Make it the easiest transition. Too often Seniors want to do it all and seem like they can but even the most independent, get stressed and anxious about change in their life- which we all do- but often they mask it, and their health begins a decline often if they don't have a smooth transition. 

So get professionals on your side to help become a resource to you! 

Contact Sarah Boston 
Senior Real Estate Expert 
913-424-0427 
Ask for a FREE copy of the Senior Book- Filled with Resources for you & your loved one! 

What Seniors Look For in Downsizing & Relocating

I worked in Senior Living for years, and the one common theme I noticed was, it didn't matter how pretty the apartment was or wasn't I was showing someone, it didn't matter how grand the food was, all of that is a plus, but most of the time the only thing that made a family decide to move in were these factors: Do I feel comfortable here? Do I feel at home here? Can I see myself living here? Are people friendly? Is the care great? These are the most important when looking for senior living. Which is why I no longer work with one specific community, not one is going to be a fit for everyone. Each one is unique and offers something different for each person. And every family or senior has a list of what is most important to them. The key is to narrow down your search to 2-4 communities, then take a tour, then follow up with a luncheon to only 2 then you can make the best decision for yourself or a loved one. If you go to too many then you will not be able to keep them all straight.

Ask for a FREE List of questions to ask before taking a tour. 

Ask about Estate Planning, Medicare, Medicaid, VA Aid & Attendance Benefits, Downsizing, Estate Sales, Assisted Vs. Skilled vs. Independent Living Resources! 

Contact Homes by Sarah 
Your Senior Relocation Specialist in All of KS & MO 
(913)-424-0427 
www.sarahbostonhomes.com 
Find out> What's My Home Worth>> 

4 Crucial Steps in Becoming Successful in Your Career- Start Today!

Associates looking to further their career and find success in any field - (especially in the sales field) must follow these few steps.

1. Becoming Accountable 
Hire a coach, or find a counter part that can Truly keep you accountable and on track. You need someone that can be honest with you as well as encouragement. Whether it be a spouse, friend etc. But make sure it is someone that can push you- while being and Encourager- the key is someone that will hold you accountable. You want to be the best at it- measure what others are doing in the industry. How do we get this needle moved from this point to the next.

2. Be Intentional with Your Time
Time Management- I know, we have all heard it! Know what you are doing on a daily basis, In sales especially it can change from day to day. But start with small things, every morning at 9am, I start with a cup of coffee and I shut my office door and know that for 30 minutes I will be on the phone with new clients- or whatever your 30 minutes can look like. Take control of your schedule. Know that your time is precious and you cannot chase your tail every day and getting stressed and exhausted. This will add some order to your day, which does help keep track of your goals and will help get you where you want to be. Be Intentional!!

3. Generate Leads, Generate Business 
For 2 Hours a day, 5 days a week- you should work to prospect- if you're not prospecting or engaging your sphere of influence to generate leads then you're not generating new business.
To get yourself started decide where your business needs to come from, then establish how many conversions are required from those sources to reach an income goal. Know your business, and know what you have done over a period of time, month to date, year to date etc. Do your homework, you won't know where you are going til you know where you have been- then you can build from there.

4. Convert Leads with Passion 
Making contact takes time,and if you are like me, I have to be in the right mindset to even make the first phone call. Decide TODAY no Matter what- I am making 10 phone calls. I am not going to apologize for calling  you, I have a reason and a purpose in making this call. I am calling you because you reached out to me for assistance- and I just want to make sure you got everything you needed. Make a note on if you got ahold of them, or called without a message or left a message, sent email etc. Attempt 8-11 times before closing the lead. Try at different times in the day etc. Don't give up, it can be frustrating but once you get into a pattern it gets SOOOO much easier and it Definitely will pay off!!






Contact Your Expert in Real Estate
Sarah Boston RE/MAX Suburban Inc.
913-424-0427
www.sarahbostonhomes.com 

Top 10 Senior Housing Trends- Now is the time to Move!!

The shape of senior living communities across the world has changed drastically over the past several years. Baby boomers have their own unique ideas of what their retirement years are going to look like, and the industry must change in order to fit the shape of their unique preferences. This year’s anticipated trends don’t look like your grandmother’s retirement!

Technology

Changes in technology make it possible for seniors to adapt to many of the challenges that come with the aging process. From wearable devices that automatically alert caregivers of a fall to large-screen phones, remotes and other important devices, seniors have more high-quality care options than ever before. There are even geo-fencing options available that can help keep individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia inside safe spaces.

Home Care

Aging in place has become increasingly attractive to many seniors. They want to be able to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Affordable in-home care and changes in technology have helped to make home care a more viable option for many individuals. Senior Planning Services, a tri-state area Medicaid planning firm, cites a recent AARP study which estimates that early 90 percent of people over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible.

Senior Living Partnerships

Senior living providers are rapidly becoming major power players in the health care scene. Physicians, hospitals, insurers, and other organizations within the United States health care system are coming together to create more comprehensive care that provides exactly what many seniors need. As the baby boomer generation hits their senior years, their increased numbers give senior providers increased impact.

Person-Centered Care

Everyone deserves to age with dignity and to be cared for as a whole person. Person-centered care isn’t a new trend, but it is one that is rapidly gaining ground. When aging individuals receive person-centered care from nursing homes, doctors, and other health care organizations, they are assured that they will be treated as an individual, rather than being treated based only on the capabilities that they no longer have.

Life Plan Community

Instead of “Continuing Care Retirement Communities,” many aging individuals prefer the image created by a “life plan community.” Life plan communities are dedicated to helping seniors make the most out of every moment, from living a full and active life to maintaining their health for as long as possible. These communities are based on living in the moment now, as younger seniors, not just on the need for continuing care past a certain age or health level.

Memory Care

More and more memory care units are embracing the theory behind reminiscence therapy and extending it. They’re stimulating all the senses—not just sight and sound, but even smell and touch—and creating communities that are reminiscent of the world in which seniors grew up. This helps give many seniors a firmer foundation for retrieving long-term memories of the past.

Senior Co-Housing

Senior co-housing offers all the convenience of a single-family dwelling while simultaneously reducing costs and providing a sense of companionship. They have shared responsibilities and access to communal caregivers to assist with daily tasks. It’s the perfect balance between institutionalized living and remaining at home, especially for those seniors who might not have a solid support system in place if they continue to live on their own.

Going Green

Many assisted living facilities are embracing the green movement. The goal isn’t just to entice earth-conscious baby boomers. Going green also helps cut heating and cooling costs, improve water conservation efforts, and meet Energy Star standards across many of the devices used in the facility.

Location

One of the most critical changes to senior housing trends is the changes made to appropriate locations. Many facilities are considering the area’s appeal to younger seniors. What makes it a great retirement destination? What amenities are readily available throughout the area? Many senior living communities are learning that the smart thing is no longer to build next to a mall or urban center with lots of shopping. Instead, they’re looking for new opportunities for engaging, senior-friendly activities for those early retirement years.

Independent Living, Not Assisted Living

More facilities now are being designed to appeal to the under-80 crowd. Baby boomers know that they can expect to live comfortably on their own, experiencing reasonable health, for a long time. The senior housing market is gradually adapting to that need by providing independent living facilities that celebrate independence.

Developers and providers will need to enhance seniors’ living environments in ways they might never have considered before in order to compete with the rapidly shifting market. The current goal is to create environments based around the baby boomer mindset: to create a place where they will want to live, not just a place where they need to live. Today’s seniors won’t settle for less!

Contact your Local Resources 

913-424-0427