
Types of housing for seniors – What are the options?
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Real estate retirement
People who are still fit enough to live in their own homes in old age often want to continue living there. However, the property is not always suitable for their needs. Those who need a lot of money for renovation or to pay off their mortgage can sell their property with the land rights entered in the land register. You can agree on a lifelong or temporary right of residence. The contract also specifies whether the purchase price is to be paid as a lump sum or as a monthly pension. A combination of both payment types is also possible. Anyone interested in this type of living arrangement can seek advice from a real estate agent.
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Adapting property to suit your needs in old age
People who feel comfortable in their own home do not want to move out. The prerequisite for this is that they are still healthy enough to live alone. Sometimes, barrier-free conversion is all that is needed to grow old happily in your home. Those who have sufficient funds do not necessarily have to sell their property. However, these are expensive and time-consuming measures. It should therefore be clarified in advance whether selling is not the right option after all. A real estate agent can provide older owners with good advice on this matter.
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Home care or in a facility
Seniors who require care and support can either receive help from family members at home or hire a professional caregiver to assist with daily activities and household chores. However, if home care is no longer recommended, it is also possible to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility. The type of housing that is advisable depends on the person's level of care.
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Multi-generational house or senior citizens' shared apartment
Another type of housing for older people is the multi-generational house. Here, young and old live under one roof. Mutual support can make everyday life easier for older people in multi-generational homes. However, this type of housing is relatively rare. Family members usually opt for a multi-generational home.
However, seniors can also simply live together in a senior citizens' shared apartment. Shared households are a good solution, especially when a single pension is not enough to live on.
Do you have questions about which type of housing is right for you? Contact us with no obligation. We will be happy to advise you.
You can find more information here:
- garde-pflegedienst-berlin.de: Alternative forms of living
- wikipedia.org: Multi-generational house
- wikipedia.org: Assisted living
- wikipedia.org: Life annuity
Notes
For reasons of readability, the generic masculine form is used in this text. Female and other gender identities are expressly included where necessary for the meaning of the text.
Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice in individual cases. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your specific case.
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