Connect← Return to Time to move to retirement home?
Discussion
Time to move to retirement home?
Caregivers: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) & Dementia | Last Active: Aug 21 5:16am | Replies (50)Comment receiving replies
@turtle4115
I have been following this conversation, because we are considering making the big move to a CCRC. I just don’t know what to do yet…
Anyway, your situation sounds similar to ours. My husband is diagnosed with MCI due to Lewy Body Disease, also at Mayo. He is almost 75. I am 71.
What kind of test did your husband have to pass before qualifying for independent living at your community?
My husband no longer drives, by choice. I wonder if that would be a problem.
I almost hate to ask about this at the communities we are considering, because i don’t want to draw attention to his probable future decline, if that would keep us out of independent living.
Thanks for your info!
Replies to "@turtle4115 I have been following this conversation, because we are considering making the big move to..."
Connect
My husband had to pass a simple cognitive exam and show that he was able to ambulate independently. The problem is trying to guess how much time you have before he won't be able to do so. He also wasn't driving when we moved in. The CCRC provides weekly bus trips to local stores. I still drive so it is not a concern. Also in the last 7 years the amount we were required to pay as a buy in has increased about 70,000 dollars. It is never going to cost less than now.
If this is something that you believe you will need in the future then now is the time to look. Some facilities have waiting lists that take several years depending on the type of unit you want. I looked for a facility that had every level of care and I toured them all, not just IL. Because we moved before it was necessary he was with me in IL for the first 5 years. Then his mobility issues caused his move to assisted living where he remained for a year. He moved to skilled care in January 2025.
This was not an easy decision or move. We moved to a state where we had never lived because it was close to our daughter and her family but the facility is lovely and was financially reasonable.