Long Term Care Is Not the Only 5-10 Year Waitlist for Seniors

If you haven’t already heard, it’s a 5-10 year waitlist for Long term care beds, if you are not on the crisis list. But did you know there is also a 5-10 year wait list for low-income retirement living?

Both long-term care beds and low-income retirement living are subsidized by the government. Long-term care beds are for seniors who need constant care whereas low-income retirement living is for healthy seniors who are looking to surround themselves with a community just like them.

Yes, there is a place for seniors to live, interact, participate in activities, and help other seniors that subsidizes their income in the same way! This is a normally an apartment-like building or a townhouse complex comprised of seniors between the ages of 65-90 years old.

Unlike long term care, the people in these communities are much healthier and live 10-20 years in these dwellings. In turn, it builds up a long waitlist as more people apply. Now, there are some savvy ways to shorten your waiting period depending on your situation. That is something we can discuss on a private individual basis but for the most part, you’re stuck waiting with everyone else.

What’s the solution? Plan ahead of time! If you are in your 60’s, you should apply today to get in for when you are 70 or older. Luckily the government only assesses your financial position once you are offered a bed. If you look at both ends of the spectrum, you could become a millionaire by then, or you could be living in the basement of your loved one and it’s best thing for you and your family. At the end of the day, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. And it doesn’t cost you anything to apply!

Low-income retirement living could be your saving grace at the perfect time. Maybe you need a change of scenery. Maybe living with your family has become overwhelming. Maybe you are tired of the young adults partying across the hall or crying children during the night. You leave yourself the option to make a change. If there is one feeling in the world that everyone hates, it’s feeling like there are no options. This gives you the option to be able to live comfortably and enjoy the social aspects of being around seniors your own age. At the end of the day, you can always re-apply and wait for another 5-10 years.