According to a recent story from Boston.com There were 3,512 detached single-family homes sold in Massachusetts this September, a nearly 10 percent increase from the number sold in September 2010, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors reported this morning.

On a year-to-year basis, the median selling price for single-family Massachusetts homes in September was $294,950, up 1.7 percent, the association said.

As for condos, 1,277 units were sold in Massachusetts during September, an increase of nearly 9 percent. The median selling price was $272,000, up 5.4 percent from a year ago, the association said.Sales activity continued to go in a positive direction in September as qualified buyers were able to take advantage of these super-low interest rates,” Cadigan said. “The slight increase in median sales prices showed that sellers priced, and in some cases re-priced, their homes where buyers felt they could get good value with many who made offers at or near asking price.”
Those in the assisted living industry understand that most seniors need to sell their homes in order to afford the service and amenities offered by assisted living. Since the housing crisis and recession of 2008 and beyond, occupancy in assisted living has declined as fewer and fewer seniors were able to sell their homes. High unemployment likely also kept seniors at home for a longer period as family members now had the time to help care for them at least in the short term, thus saving dollars for all. With rising home sales at least in Massachusetts, we may perhaps be seeing the a turn for the best as things as home sales stay positive as young people move to buy- buoyed by low mortgage rates and bargain prices.  Seniors looking to make a move to assisted living can now do so a little more quickly, albeit they should keep in mind  that even with a slightly better market, they may have to adjust their asking price a bit to meet the buying publics needs.

When faced with the responsibility of choosing and selecting senior care options, many families have preconceived ideas about what assisted living facilities represent for their loved one’s future.

Common myths are perpetuated by the media, which tends to emphasize the negative stories experienced by a relatively small number of seniors. The following information will dispel those myths and provide helpful insight about the benefits of assisted living facilities.

Myth #1: The phrase ‘assisted living facility’ is just new terminology to describe nursing homes.
In fact, assisted living facilities are a relatively new concept designed to serve the needs of a changing society, in which seniors live longer than ever before and prefer to live as independently as possible. Throughout the United States, adult children commonly juggle two-career households, raising children and attempting to meet the needs of their aging parents.

Within the last 20 years, professionals in the field of eldercare have recognized the need to promote an active lifestyle within an environment where care is also provided. As a result, seniors no longer feel they are burdening their families with their needs, live independently in their own apartment, enjoy a full calendar of activities and feel secure in knowing assistance is always available. Whereas nursing homes focus primarily on skilled medical care and therapies, assisted living facilities promote as much independence in activities of daily living as possible.

Myth #2: Assisted living facilities won’t accept seniors in wheelchairs or those who experience urinary incontinence.
While independence in mobility is encouraged among residents of assisted living facilities, wheelchairs are not prohibited. However, residents must be able to transfer (move from bed/chair to wheelchair, etc.) with the assistance of one other person. Those who require the assistance of two people or who cannot bear any weight are not appropriate for this environment as their care exceeds the licensure of assisted living facilities.

Similarly, residents who experience urinary incontinence are usually accepted as long as their condition can be managed with a toileting schedule, incontinence products and reminders on a consistent basis. In many cases, seniors receiving assistance with toileting are able to return to an active social life that they may have compromised in worrying about the possibility of an accident. If bowel incontinence becomes an issue and cannot be managed appropriately, this may require an alternative care setting as the condition poses a health risk to other residents.

: Medicare will pay for the care provided in assisted living facilities.
Medicare does not provide coverage for non-skilled care services such as assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, medication management, toileting and transferring. While skilled nursing facilities accept Medicare, assisted living facilities typically accept only private pay or long-term care insurance.

In some instances, assisted living facilities will license a limited number of apartments for Medicaid recipients and others may offer programs to assist residents whose income falls below a particular median range. However, those with limited finances and who anticipate applying for Medicaid in the near future may want to consider alternative care options such as care homes.

Written by gerontologist Sara Shelton.

When our loved ones moved into assisted care, it’s not a decision made lightly. Life changes drastically for new residents and family members, but everyone can work to make it easier. Here are some tips for making the move a better experience:

1.Find the right community. If the residents and staff are friendly, this will go a long way in making an assisted living facility feel like home. Browse all licensed assisted living options in your area and research those that look attractive.
2.Stay close. When family and friends are close, they visit more frequently. Visits are good, and make everyone feel a little better.
3.Highlight the good stuff. Is the floor plan perfect? Is there a yoga class twice a week? Will the resident get help with difficult chores like laundry?
4.Don’t take over. Assisted living residents should maintain a sense of independence. Their opinions matter, and they still have a lot of control over choices that concern them.
5.Don’t ignore negative emotions. Being sad is normal, and moving is a traumatic event no matter where you go or what you leave behind. Always listen to concerns.
6.Throw a small home warming party. You can bring cherished items or new items and decorate, but it always helps when you can find a reason to celebrate.
7.Keep an eye on your loved one’s health. Don’t assume that someone else is taking care of everything. When you are actively involved, everyone benefits.
8.Find resident activities. Don’t wait to join the walking club or the book club or the bingo game every Thursday evening. Residents who get involved in activities early make friends more quickly and have a less difficult time becoming acclimated to their new surroundings.
9.Eat together. Eating together a couple of times a week can be a great way to keep in touch and maintain that family bond. Plus, residents may socialize more when there is someone new to introduce.
10.Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Dealing with the disappointment of a missed lunch date or special visit is always difficult. Follow through with your promises.
11.Help with packing. It really is a chore to pack and sort a lifetime’s worth of belongings. Offering to help lessens the burden.
12.Talk to a counselor. Sometimes the transition is difficult despite our best efforts to make it as easy and painless. Don’t be afraid to seek comfort from a listening ear.

While many might consider assisted living centers purely on the basis of their long-term care services, a report says they can also be helpful for short-term stays. Often, those quick stays turn into long-term residency.

Trish Uttich, executive director at Senior Star at Weber Place in Romeoville, Illinois, told the Chicago Tribune that brief stays can help seniors and their caregivers clear up many of their preconceived confusions or questions regarding assisted living facilities.

“Seniors are confused about the difference between assisted living, supportive living, skilled nursing settings,” she told the paper. “In addition they are confused by rentals, buy-ins, and the [continuing care retirement community] models. They need to experience the difference to help them decide what is the best choice for them.”

Uttich’s center offers a short-term residency program, which some caregivers use to give themselves a break from full-time elderly care and others use to test the assisted living waters. Many such programs are charged on a per-day basis.

Some assisted living centers have devoted themselves entirely to respite care. One such facility in Ashland, Oregon, opened recently, according to the Daily Tidings newspaper.

Longwood Place at Reading, also offers a respite care program. We have found that this is a great way for potential residents to get a “taste” of assisted living, making the whole idea a little less daunting.

Join in with comments and questions regarding Longwood Place at Reading. Use this blog as a valuable resource.