It’s never too early to start thinking about the future. When you’re young and just setting out on your own, it’s not uncommon to set goals for your home, your career, your family, etc. Planning for a future following retirement is just as important.
While you may have mapped out your travels after retirement, have you considered your long-term plans, or what you may want when you need a little extra help? While it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole of all possible outcomes as you age, start your planning by outlining your main goals post-employment without having to worry about immediate choices.
Various living options are available within long term care: home care, supportive housing programs, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), memory care and skilled nursing, also known as a nursing home. A common misconception is that senior or assisted living equals nursing home. Skilled nursing centers provide round-the-clock nursing care by licensed and trained nursing professionals for residents who have higher care needs and more complex medical conditions. Assisted living communities offer 24/7 care, and aim to keep residents as independent as possible for as long as possible, and encourage socialization through activities, meals and shared spaces. If you experience cognitive decline, memory care communities provide more care and security to ensure you are living the fullest life you can.
If you desire to stay in your house, home care providers assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in the senior’s own home. Home care can present challenges if you require extensive assistance.
Taking a realistic look at your finances is an important step in planning your retirement. Whether it’s in-home or in assisted living, there are many costs associated with care. As a reminder, Medicare does not cover long-term care needs. However, Medicaid does cover some care options. Long-term care insurance plans can be pricey, but they can be beneficial if you have a family history of diseases that require care assistance in the future.
Premiums for long-term care policies may increase with age, so investing sooner rather than later is imperative if you have the means. A traditional insurance premium for a 55-year-old couple can cost about $2,100 annually. The cost rises to $3,700 annually if a couple waits ten years to invest. There are also hybrid policies that will return the money to your heirs if you don’t end up requiring long term care. Those policies are the most expensive, but because you lock in your premium upfront, might be the best option for those who are older or have known health problems.
As you research options for your parent or loved one, take note of what you want for yourself. Do you want to stay in a bustling city environment, or would you like to be in a quiet area? Would you prefer a one-bedroom over a studio? Right now, you’re young and can make decisions for yourself. Do you dream of staying in your home forever? Maybe you imagine downsizing to a smaller home to avoid having to do home tasks like yard work. Put your long term care desires in writing so that your decision makers know what you want. Don’t forget, assisted living is not a nursing home. If you haven’t toured any communities, and the antiquated ideas of senior living deter you, get out there and check a few out. You’ll be surprised by how active and lively these communities are.
Not sure what to expect from senior living? Aegis Living communities are always open for tours! Come by, check out some activities, grab a snack and cup of coffee, and chat with some residents who are defying the stereotypes of assisted living.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.