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before you need or want it. This will allow for the person ultimately needing care, as well as family members, to make decisions together from care to costs. Ask friends where they have visited and what they liked about area facilities. As you travel to various health fairs and senior fairs stop and chat with the staff and ask them questions. Given your level of interest you might even try a stay-cation, or a weekend visit. That way you%u2019ll be able to gauge how staff interacts at all times of the day and night. If family does provide a higher level of your care at home you might even give them a gift and try a longer respite stay so they can get away on a vacation of their own. The more time you spend at a facility the more you will be able to determine if it%u2019s a good fit for you.When issues arise and long-term care becomes eminent you will want to reach back out to area facilities as soon as possible. For some of you this might be your first time. If so, it%u2019s time to start There are many ways to make living at your long-time home both safe and comfortable with some adjustments because, frankly, that%u2019s where we all hope to live out our days. But when safety becomes an issue, looking to alternative choices becomes a necessity. No longer can we hold our adult children to the promise made when we were full of mobility. Free them from that burden and find out how fortunate we are to have a great number of housing options in our region. Should a move be necessary the good news is that we can take memories with us no matter where that might be.But before you begin, take some time to learn about what%u2019s available and how each might best meet your current and future needs. Do it now, because making intentional choices rather than choosing from ones that are limited by a more urgent situation allows for the most practical adjustments and comfortable transition, even from your long-time home. As you get ready for possible changes please realize that your long-term care (LTC) needs might be able to be met in your current home by making adjustments, adding safety features, or bringing in services. Resources will have an impact on your options whether in your home or in an aging adult community. Considerations will be made for income, assets, military service, Medicare related needs, and Medicaid payable services; as well as programs offered at your Area Agency on Aging, Waiver, senior millage, and PACE, but also pensions, long-term care insurance, estate planning; and finally level of care needed.This guide can help you get started but there is nothing like a visit to area facilities for a full picture of the options available. Visit several locations, narrow your interests, and visit again. Consider interacting with other residents. Ask to volunteer to help with, or participate in, an event or program there. Ask to visit for a meal. You will either be pleasantly surprised by what you experience, or you will find out that another choice will be a better option. Try that one next. The time to start developing a plan for long-term care is HousingOptionFor YouDETERMINE THE RIGHTSENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY | 20256