What do you do when the home you've lived in and loved for decades becomes too much to maintain? What do you do when cooking and keeping up the house and yard are just not that easy any more? Or if your health needs dictate a move that you really don't want to make?

This is a difficult and painful crossroads for those of us who are lucky enough to live so long.

In my own family, I was blessed with maternal grandparents who lived a very long time (appx ages 100 and 104) and who required a succession of downsizings - each one difficult, but none more so than the first. And I have seen this with my own father, too, as his needs have increased and his moves were required for his own benefit. And we've seen it with many, many other relatives too in various parts of the country.

But the fact that it's necessary, even when everyone agrees, doesn't make it easy.

Since I have been through this process with aging relatives, and many clients too, a few years ago I got special training to assist seniors in these types of situations and others, and earned the Seniors Real Estate designation, Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Today I'd like to discuss senior housing options in and near Los Gatos for residents who need to downsize, but don't want to leave the area.

The first major hurdle in deciding to go to smaller, easier to manage diggs is to work through all the "stuff" that we tend to accumulate over the years. Downsizing is difficult and I want to let you know that there are people who can assist you in this if you don't have family or friends to help you sort through decades of stuff. These folks will go through your boxes, closets, desks and so on to help you make the painful decisions about what to keep, toss, give away, etc. (Please contact me if you'd like information on these good souls.) 

The second big hurdle is deciding where to go.

Let's start by discussing the variety of housing options available to seniors, in addition to the obvious choice of living with family members. The general categories (with many sub categories) are these: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing or Convalescent. These refer only to the TYPES of living, not the financial arrangements that go with them. That is another issue.

Silicon Valley generally does not have a lot of senior residences for sale. (There are plenty for rent, however.) In Los Gatos, there are some condos along Alberto Way at the Los Gatos Commons (off Highway 9, close to town) which are independent senior living places. These types of condos usually have a minimum age of 55 or 62 years for one resident - it's 62 at The Commons. Homes in the Los Gatos Commons run in the 400s to high 500s - considerably lower than other comparable homes close to downtown (later edit - this post was written in July 2007 - by late 2008, prices were far lower, so if you are interested in these homes, please contact me).  These condos are completely independent. No one will cook meals for the community, provide cleaning, etc. The plus to living there? Great price and a quiet setting with more mature residents. And yes, you'll still need a car or to use public transit. No shuttle bus here.  And that's it for senior condos you can purchase in Los Gatos.

There are a few senior condos in Morgan Hill and then there's San Jose's The Villages near Silver Creek. In many parts of California, there are lots of senior communities where one may buy a below market priced condo. This is particularly true near Rocklin and in the "gold rush" country.  But not in our area, unfortunately. (I do know Realtors up there if relocating is an idea that appeals to you or your loved ones.)

Would renting be a better option than buying? What about an apartment with services provided, like cooking, cleaning, and some transportation? If a better arrangement for you or a loved one is a place where meals are provided, cleaning is done, and group outings are scheduled, perhaps an independent living rental is a better option. There are apartments that are strictly for seniors available (one near Almaden Fashion Plaza, another along Almaden Expressway in Willow Glen - just two examples) and there are facilities that provide apartments AND meals, cleaning etc. There are no such places in Los Gatos, per se, but there are some within 10 miles of town.

There are quite a few options near Los Gatos where a senior can lease an apartment in a community with other seniors and recieve meals, housecleaning, social activities, outings, laundry service, etc. (Not medical care though.) One that my family has experience with locally that I can endorse is The Atrium in San Jose (adjacent to Oakridge Mall in the Blossom Valley area of San Jose - it is also on the light rail, a real plus!). With my relatives, I found that moving to a place like The Atrium rejuvenated them as they were suddenly not isolated, but making new friends and being able to do things without having to drive themselves. In Santa Cruz, I would endorse Dominican Oaks and also Aegis of Aptos. There are many, many places like these in the greater Silicon Valley area. 

I should add that in my experience, it is a tough transition to being in one's own home to moving to one of these independent living apartments where meals are provided. What I've seen is that it can take 6 months to get comfortable and really be happy about the move. Eventually, most seniors develop friendships, get used to the routine and actually blossom. But at first, there may be regrets and comments like, "I never should have sold my home". Transitions are hard.

If medical care of any kind is needed, it's likely that Assisted Living is a better fit. The difference between Independent Living and Assisted Living is simple. With Assisted Living, there's help with the functions of daily living, whether it's dressing, bathing, medical management (keeping the pills or medicines straight), being pushed in a wheelchair, and so on. A nurse (usually an LVN, not an RN) will be on duty. You will pay considerably more for this level of care. It is not the same as convalescent care by a long shot. It's like Independent, but help where you need it. Got a broken leg and need to be pushed to meals in your wheelchair, and need help dressing? That's assisted living, not independent. Need help remembering to take your medicines? Again, that's assisted living. Just need more of the staff's time? Again, probably assisted living - they have a higher ratio of employees to residents.