Blog - Kathleen Moniello

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place

Post 23 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions

Step 12: Pulling It All Together – Using a Weighted Rating System After exploring the physical, financial, and emotional aspects of aging in place or moving to a senior living community, you may find yourself with more than one good option. So how do you choose? A weighted rating system can help you make a […]
Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place

Post 22 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions

Step 11: Meet with Your Estate Planning Attorney – Align Legal Plans with Life Changes As you prepare for a potential move—whether to a smaller home, a more accessible space, or a senior living community—it’s essential to ensure your legal documents reflect your current wishes and future needs. Meeting with your estate planning attorney is […]
Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place

Post 21 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions

Step 10 – Meet with Your Financial Advisor: Turn Information into Insight After gathering all the key information—your home equity, renovation estimates, senior living costs, and current monthly expenses—it’s time to bring it all together with the help of your financial advisor. This step is about transforming data into insight. Your advisor can help you […]
Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place

Post 20 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions

Step 9 – Identify and Tour Senior Living Communities If you’re considering a move to a senior living community, it’s essential to approach the process with the same care and planning you would when buying a new home. Communities vary widely in services, amenities, costs, and care levels—so a thorough evaluation is key to making […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 23 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 12: Pulling It All Together – Using a Weighted Rating System After exploring the physical, financial, and emotional aspects of aging in place or moving to a senior living community, you may find yourself with more than one good option. So how do you choose? A weighted rating system can help you make a […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 22 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 11: Meet with Your Estate Planning Attorney – Align Legal Plans with Life Changes As you prepare for a potential move—whether to a smaller home, a more accessible space, or a senior living community—it’s essential to ensure your legal documents reflect your current wishes and future needs. Meeting with your estate planning attorney is […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 21 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 10 – Meet with Your Financial Advisor: Turn Information into Insight After gathering all the key information—your home equity, renovation estimates, senior living costs, and current monthly expenses—it’s time to bring it all together with the help of your financial advisor. This step is about transforming data into insight. Your advisor can help you […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 20 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 9 – Identify and Tour Senior Living Communities If you’re considering a move to a senior living community, it’s essential to approach the process with the same care and planning you would when buying a new home. Communities vary widely in services, amenities, costs, and care levels—so a thorough evaluation is key to making […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 19 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 8 – Explore Age-in-Place-Ready Housing Options If you’re considering moving to a new home, it’s important to understand the true cost—not just of purchasing the property, but of ensuring it supports your long-term safety, comfort, and independence. That’s why Step 8 in our 12-step planning process focuses on exploring age-in-place-ready housing options—homes that are […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 18 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 7 – Estimate the Cost of Modifications and Maintenance Now that you’ve identified what needs to be done to make your home safer, more accessible, and livable for the long term, it’s time to understand the financial investment involved. Step 7 in our 12-step planning process is about turning insight into action—and numbers. Work […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 17 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 6 – Schedule a Professional Home Inspection While accessibility is essential for aging in place, the overall condition of your home plays an equally important role in your long-term comfort, safety, and financial planning. That’s why Step 6 in our 12-step planning process is to schedule a professional home inspection. Think of it as […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 16 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 5 – Schedule a CAPS Assessment If you’re considering staying in your current home as you age, one of the most important steps you can take is to ensure that your environment supports your safety, independence, and comfort. That’s where a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) comes in. Certified by the National Association […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 15 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 4 – Determine the Equity in Your Current Home Your home is more than just a place to live—it’s also one of your most valuable financial assets. Understanding how much equity you have is a critical step in planning for the future, whether you’re considering home modifications, downsizing, or transitioning to a senior living […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 14 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 3 – Gather a Trusted Team of Advisors Making a housing decision later in life is about more than just where you live—it’s about how you live. That’s why Step 3 in our 12-step planning process is all about assembling a team of trusted professionals who can guide you through the financial, legal, emotional, […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 13 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Step 2 – Identify Your Obstacles and Concerns Before you can plan effectively for the future, it’s important to understand what’s not working in the present. Step 2 in our 12-step planning process invites you to take an honest look at your current living situation and identify the obstacles that may be affecting your safety, […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 12 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions A Step-by-Step Planning Process for Choosing the Right Living Arrangement Making the right housing decision in retirement is one of the most important—and personal—choices you’ll face. It’s not just about bricks and mortar. It’s about how and where you want to live as you age, and how that choice supports your independence, safety, relationships, and […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 11 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Comparing the Cost of Living at Home vs. a Senior Living Community In Post 10, we explored how to choose a senior living community that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and care needs. But before making a final decision, it’s important to understand the financial side of the equation—especially when comparing the cost of staying […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 10 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Choosing a Senior Community In Post 9, we explored the many types of senior living communities—from independent living to assisted living, memory care, and CCRCs. If you’re beginning to think that community living might be a good fit for you, the next step is just as important: finding the right community. Choosing a senior living […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 9 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Community Living Options for Seniors In Post 8, we explored private housing options like downsizing, condo living, and multigenerational households. But for many older adults, the desire for more support, safety, or social connection leads them to consider community living. Community living offers a range of environments designed specifically for older adults, with varying levels […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 8 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions My Current Home Isn’t Working—Now What? Realizing that your current home no longer meets your needs can be a powerful turning point. Whether it’s due to physical barriers, difficulty accessing care, or a growing sense of isolation, these challenges often prompt a critical question: What are my options? Recognizing that a change is needed opens […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 7 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Planning for Care Costs: What You Need to Know As we discussed in Post 6, deciding whether to Modify or Move™ is a deeply personal choice that depends on your health, lifestyle, and long-term goals. But no matter which path you choose—staying in your current home, downsizing, or relocating to a senior living community—there’s one […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 6 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Understanding Care Needs: A Key Factor in Housing Decisions In our previous post, we introduced the Modify or Move™ framework—three paths forward when your current home no longer supports your needs. But before making any housing decision, there’s one essential step that can’t be skipped: Understanding your current and future care needs. Whether you’re a […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 5 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions Copy Modify or Move™? Your Options for Aging in Place In our previous post, we explored the six key features that make a home safe and supportive for aging in place. But what if your current home doesn’t check all the boxes? That’s where the big decision comes in: Should you modify your current home—or is […]

Seniors in Transition/ Aging in Place Post 4 of the Series – Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions In our last post, we explored the top obstacles that can make aging in place difficult—like home safety risks, difficulty with daily tasks, and social isolation. These challenges often raise a critical question for older adults and their families: Can my current home support the life I want to live as I age? Whether you’re […]