Article by Liisa Ogburn.
The wild west: A primer on the senior housing landscape
“Help! Dad’s memory issues are too much.”
“Mom’s unsteady on her feet.”
“The house is so cluttered I’m afraid one of them will take a fatal fall.”
We humans avoid change until we’re forced, especially if it means leaving home. As one gets older, it almost feels like throwing in the towel. We dig our heels in. We refuse to budge. We repeat, “You’re going to have to carry me out in a coffin.”
But the truth is, according to Physician-Writer Atul Gawande, people need increasing amounts of assistance for, on average, the last eight years of life.
With new senior communities popping up on every unbuilt lot, how can one possibly begin to help their parent choose one over another?
What do all the different terms even mean?
Senior communities or senior housing? Independent living? Assisted Living? Custodial care? Memory care or skilled nursing? What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community anyway? And how am I supposed to figure it all out for my parents when I have my own fulltime job and family to care for?
To read the entire article, go to: https://www.wral.com/the-wild-west-a-primer-on-the-senior-housing-landscape/17304035/
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About the Author:
Liisa Ogburn is at the heart of Aging Advisors NC, bringing a rich blend of personal experience and global perspective to elder care. Raised in North Carolina with deep roots in Finland, Liisa has a unique appreciation for diverse approaches to aging, shaped by her life across different cultures including Finland, Estonia, Germany, England, Japan, and Costa Rica.
Her path into elder care consulting was deeply personal. While juggling her role as a Duke University educator and caring for her father-in-law and three young children, Liisa started sharing her family’s journey through articles for The New York Times and later, over 300 posts for WRAL Raleigh on everything from handling loss to choosing the right elder care options.
A teacher at heart, Liisa thrives on empowering others with knowledge. She offers her expertise in presentations to various groups—from churches to professional firms—and writes extensively, reaching audiences far and wide. Her credentials include certifications in geriatric care and a special certification from Brown University to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, reinforcing her belief that calm minds make sound decisions.
