Choices, choices, choices! If you’ve been listening to Rajiv Nagaich on radio, watching him on PBS, or reading the Blog, you know that the choices you make regarding your senior housing are among the most pivotal retirement choices of all.  

Many retirees who dream of aging in place, for example, never stop to evaluate whether their “forever home” will allow them to do so safely. Others who elect to move away to a so-called vacation paradise when they retire quickly come to regret their choice when high costs, isolation from family, or poor medical care turn their retirement into paradise lost. And then there’s the bewildering range of retirement communities available to seniors these days.  

Is there anyone who can help us navigate safely through the senior housing maze? According to this recent article from Kiplinger, the answer is yes. A so-called retirement housing navigator could be just a phone call or a mouse click away. The article was written by David Conti, retirement expert and coach, who has extensive experience advising retirees. We’re presenting this article, not necessarily as a recommendation, but strictly as food for thought. 

Is a retirement housing navigator a good choice for you? Our answer is, perhaps. Take a look at Conti’s article and see what you think. 

Changing Where We Live Gets Harder as We Age 

As we all know, change can often be more difficult to accept as we get older.  

“The routines we’ve built over decades become anchors — comforting, familiar, and hard to leave behind,” Conti writes. “Yet, for Generation Xers and baby boomers, pivotal housing transitions such as downsizing or shifting to 55-plus and senior living communities are often on the horizon.” 

Most of the options for housing as we age carry their own financial and emotional challenges, he notes. But the good news is that there are dedicated professionals who make it their mission to offer clarity and guide folks through these decisions. They are called retirement housing navigators.  

Simplifying One of Life’s Most Intimidating Transitions 

Conti explains, “Retirement housing navigator is an umbrella term for professionals who simplify one of life’s most daunting transitions. They’re also known as geriatric care managers, aging life care managers or senior placement facilitators.” 

Some of these professionals are affiliated with financial advisory firms or local agencies. Some are licensed real estate professionals, and these often specialize in downsizing or in transitions to senior living.  

“Whatever the title, these experts provide tailored guidance through planning, research, even on-site visits — helping ensure that every decision aligns with your personal needs and lifestyle goals,” Conti adds.  

Helping Seniors Reimagine the Next Chapter of Life 

Conti goes on to explain that a skilled navigator’s purview isn’t just in recommending options for housing, but in helping you reimagine your next chapter through clarifying your vision, establishing realistic goals, and even accompanying you on tours of facilities to make sure all of your questions are answered and that the services are of the right quality.  

“As with any kind of move, there’s often a fear of change and the difficulty of imagining what one gains when considering a move,” explains Meg Stoltzfus, a retirement coach and housing navigator at Financial Council in Towson, Maryland. 

Stoltzfus says that a series of experiments can help ease the transition, such as staying overnight in a new community. This can help you decide if you truly feel at home in a new place.   

While staying in a new place, Conti provides this series of questions to consider: “Do you have personal connections in the community? Are the residents content? How responsive and engaging is the staff? Is the location convenient for visits from friends and family? These thoughtful queries help balance both emotional and practical considerations.” 

Professional Certification as a Retirement Housing Navigator 

When seeking any professional to help guide you in your next steps, it’s important to make sure that they are certified for the job.  

“For instance,” Conti explains, “real estate professionals can earn the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) designation from the National Association of REALTORS®, which equips them to meet the unique challenges older adults face — from selling or downsizing their homes to identifying alternative housing solutions.” 

For many of these professionals, the desire to get certified in this field comes from personal experiences. This was true for Massachusetts-based veteran agent Linda Kody, who pursued her SRES certification in 2018 after seeing her own needs mirrored in her clients’ as she got older. These days, she guides 55-plus individuals and their families in what she calls the “next best step.” 

Conti adds, “Beyond real estate, professionals such as Certified Senior Advisors or Aging Life Care Experts bring specialized knowledge in gerontology, social work, and nursing. These experts can connect clients with networks that include elder law attorneys, health professionals and social service providers.” 

Getting Started with a Retirement Housing Navigator 

So, maybe you’ve been reading this so far and you’re interested in exploring your options with a navigator. Where do you begin? 

“Start by tapping into your community,” Conti writes. “Reach out to your local Council on Aging, neighbors, even a trusted financial advisor or certified public accountant (CPA). From there, clearly delineate your priorities.” 

On your priorities list, make sure you start with what matters most to you in housing: preferences in location, especially considering proximity to your loved ones. Any desired amenities. And prospects for long-term care and community.  

Conti suggests, “Develop a simple pros-and-cons chart along with a ballpark budget. Clarify your ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves’ before meeting with your navigator. With these parameters in hand, your navigator will handle the research, filtering a variety of tailored housing options to suit your lifestyle.” 

You May Not Have to Pay a Fee for Professional Advice 

If you’re wondering how much this might cost, you may be surprised to learn that the answer is often nothing, at least out of pocket. This is because many navigators receive their compensation directly from placement agencies or senior living facilities. Conti mentions that organizations like A Place for Mom, or Senior Living Navigator all operate on a commission basis. 

Other navigators, like Stoltzfus, integrate their services into broader financial planning packages offered by wealth management firms.  

“Before you commit to a similar package, ask for clear details on how compensation is structured to ensure there’s no conflict of interest in the recommendations,” Conti advises. After all, someone acting on commission might not be the most objective advocate for you. 

The Right Real Estate Agent Can Help You Downsize Successfully 

One of the major difficulties for homeowners as they age is deciding whether or not a large suburban home can (or should) meet their needs. “With adult children gone, rising maintenance costs and shifting neighborhood demographics, it might be time to re-evaluate what ‘home’ means,” Conti writes.  

This is where experienced agents like Kody come in, guiding clients through every step of the process. They help their clients decide whether to sell outright or simply conduct a major cleanout and upgrade to help them more safely age in place. They also coordinate with local professionals to aid in any repairs, staging, and landscaping. “These ongoing relationships help ensure a smoother transition by connecting you with trusted local vendors,” Conti adds.  

Stoltzfus explains, “Although few people like the idea of moving, we encourage our younger retirees to experiment with different housing choices and locations. Spend some time in Florida or the Carolinas, explore vibrant communities, and weigh factors like affordability, location and lifestyle fit. It’s all about finding the right community for you.” 

Despite Your Fears, the Right Move Can Be Empowering 

Moving is never a stress-free life event, but as we age it becomes more and more daunting. “The right housing navigator can transform an emotional trial into a strategic and empowering opportunity for growth,” Conti writes.  

Or, as Kody puts it, using terminology from her SRES training: “Empathy, listening and patience are key. Moving is an emotional process, especially in retirement.” 

Stoltzfus adds, “You have to weigh practicality and cost vs amenities and extra services. Depending on where you live, a pool and pickleball court may be a priority, but you may not care if the facility doesn’t have a resident-run TV studio or Japanese zen garden.” 

Conti concludes, “Ultimately, working with a retirement housing navigator can help you tailor your next move to your unique lifestyle — and step more confidently into a future that reflects your aspirations and values.” 

Rajiv Nagaich – Your Retirement Planning Coach and Guide 

The long-awaited book by Rajiv Nagaich, called Your Retirement: Dream or Disaster, has been released and is now available to the public. Retirement: Dream or Disaster joins Rajiv’s ground-breaking DVD series and workbook, Master Your Future, as a powerful planning tool in your retirement toolbox. As a friend of AgingOptions, we know you’ll want to get your copy and spread the word.  

You’ve heard Rajiv say it repeatedly: 70 percent of retirement plans will fail. If you know someone whose retirement turned into a nightmare when they were forced into a nursing home, went broke paying for care, or became a burden to their families – and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen to you – then this book is must-read. 

Through stories, examples, and personal insights, Rajiv takes us along on his journey of expanding awareness about a problem that few are willing to talk about, yet it’s one that results in millions of Americans sleepwalking their way into their worst nightmares about aging. Rajiv lays bare the shortcomings of traditional retirement planning advice, exposes the biases many professionals have about what is best for older adults, and much more. 

Rajiv then offers a solution: LifePlanning, his groundbreaking approach to retirement planning. Rajiv explains the essential planning steps and, most importantly, how to develop the framework for these elements to work in concert toward your most deeply held retirement goals.  

Your retirement can be the exciting and fulfilling life you’ve always wanted it to be. Start by reading and sharing Rajiv’s important message. And remember, Age On, everyone! 

(originally reported at www.kiplinger.com)