For those of us without family - Who will take care of you ?

Do you have friends or any other connections in an area that you do like?

Take a look at a previous post where several resources were mentioned. I found them very helpful for finding individuals in any area who can assist with care, planning, and suitable communities….
There are many of us facing the same future! Take care.

A senior co-op is a community of senior living together in a big condo building. People pay for a share so they can live in a unit. Then there's a monthly fee. There's activities and community spirit. I'm planning on getting a unit at 7500 York. That was the first senior cooperative. It started in Minnesota. Most are 62+ but this one at 7500 York is 55+. Maybe you could move to Minnesota and join a senior cooperative.

My husband and I are evaluating our choices. He is 74 and I am 78. Currently we live in a house that we own. Our lives are very easy since we don't have mortgage payments. However, we are both wondering what to do when we get less healthy. We have looked at one CCRC closely but when they found out that we didn't have longterm care insurance we were turned down. We are now looking at senior living situations. There is also the option to stay in our home and hire help.

I totally understand how you feel. I don't have the money many places are asking; it just incredibly expensive living where there is help on site in case you need someone.

Check out "SHAG" in Washington State. SHAG has 17 independent living communities in Seattle, Bothell, Bellevue, Kent, Federal Way, Tacoma, and more.

You own a share of the community...

@mercuryrose: If you are able, I suggest you visit all the Retirement Communities you can to find out what services your income will buy.
I live in a CCRC Independent Living with continuing care until I die. This gave me the peace of mind about all the “what ifs” in future life. I made this decision 10 years ago and am so glad!
I was like you, thought that I would never afford all the luxury and quality of life I have today, but you will never know if you don’t inquire & compare the services offered, quality of food & cleanliness, etc. Yes, you need to pair down your “things” that we all accumulate, but you can do this (estate sale of your big furniture and extras is what I chose - I took what I needed to be happy in a smaller space & after sale I had an envelope of cash)! You can do this too!
Best to you… dbamos1945

Thought I would add a few additional remarks regarding what the caregiver does. While I am pretty independent, she does help me a bit with showering and dressing, and helps my husband a lot more. She does all the laundry, makes the bed daily and changes it weekly, helps us with physical therapy exercises, does some grocery shopping as long as I am very specific, puts the groceries away, unloads the dish washer, and will make sandwiches or other light lunch items. Her first language is French, so there are sometimes confusions in our communications, but we soldier our way through it and manage. One of the most helpful roles she plays is getting the walker(s) in and out of the car when we have medical appointments, most of which she attends with us. It has taken a while to get used to having someone in the house with us—we have no children and are quiet and private people. But, frankly, I don’t know how how could manage on my own, now that I have someone helping me to care for us. We are very lucky.

As one who has been involved in the congregate care business for 40 yrs., I’d highly recommend staying in your home and hiring caregivers. This industry has many challenges - and keeping good, caring staff is at the top of the list. At least in a home situation, you have the flexibility of changing care companies without uprooting yourself again.
One of our members on this subject recently posted a list of caregiving companies and individuals available through an organization called “ALCA”, Aging Life Care Association. . Take a look, and I think you’ll find it very helpful.

FYI…. SHAG requires an application, and proof of low income only.

We purchased LTC insurance too, about 23 years ago. I'm curious about your experience with getting approved. It is something you need an attorney for? As with SS Disability? Just want to be prepared if we need it and wondering if you did it on your own or if you need a professional to help. Thanks so much. Our premiums continue to rise each year and we have been wondering if it is worth keeping it as it will get more and more expensive the older we get. 🙁