“Moving Into A Nursing Home Is Not One Of Life’s Planned Moves”

When we start out in life, we live with our parents. We may or may not live in more than one home as we are growing up and going through our schooling. Some families move frequently, and some do not. However, we know that at some point we will be moving on from our parents’ home and getting a place of our own. We may return temporarily to live with our parents (after college or the military, after a relationship doesn’t work, or when we begin a job in another city and leave it for greener pastures back home) as is becoming a more common choice, but typically the housing journey begins when we leave our parents’ home. 

After leaving home initially, there are several moves that a person might make in their lifetime, depending on whether they remain in the same city or general area or if they are more mobile geographically. Part of it is going to be driven by their occupation and where the job opportunities are or if there is a lot of mobility in those positions.

Generally, the first move for someone is one of three types – going to college, joining the military, or getting their first apartment. It varies by the individual, and sometimes there is a choice in the location and the amount of rent paid, and other times (college dormitory or military, for instance) that choice is limited or not there. As already mentioned, the move-back to live with parents again is becoming increasingly common and now accounts for a rather large segment of the under 30 population.

Nevertheless, that first residence could be for a few months or a year or more (particularly with a lease). To finish college or that first job, a person might occupy several apartments.

The point is that this is a customary move and the first solo move for an individual.

After that, there typically is a series of other moves. There can be other apartments – in the same city or area or in a different location. A person might change colleges or move from a dormitory to a house or apartment. There is no set amount of moves a person is expected to make or residences they should occupy before finding that first home to purchase and own. Of course, some people are lifelong renters and never do purchase a home.

Regardless, a person will find a home – rented or purchased, single family, townhome, row house, or apartment (such as a condo). They may like this home so well that they stay in it indefinitely – essentially aging in place long-term in this location. They may stay for just a short time.

Whether it’s their first home, their third home, their fifth, or some other number, a person is going to find that permanent home – the one they want to stay in because they like it, it meets their needs, and the like the location. They see no reason to move from it and trying to find something better. This is as good as they need.

So, is there still one more move for them – a move into a nursing home or managed care facility? In a previous time, quite likely. Today, this is not an automatic part of the progression. It is not one of life’s planned moves, and many people never make it.

Today – especially with our help as aging in place professionals – a person might live the remainder of their life (however long that is) independently in their own home. Moving from it is not automatic or even a viable option for many. Nursing homes are no longer considered as just the next move a person makes.

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