Q — My dad, 85, has been in and out of hospitals for the last five years. Now, he’s in an extended care facility recovering from surgery but has to move soon.
He doesn’t want to go to a nursing home or assisted living facility. He thinks he can go back to his condo.
Dad is used to getting his own way, but there comes a time when his requests are unreasonable and not in his best interest. My sister has e-mailed me with several housing options for him.
We do not have power of attorney, but my sister is dad’s executor. How can we get him to move into a place where he can get the care he needs?
A–You’re not alone. Many adult children struggle with their elderly parents over where they should live and who should have say-so in that decision. The fact that your sister is his executor gives her, and you, no legal standing in the matter.
An executor’s role does not begin until after the person’s death, according to Chicago attorney Kerry Peck, who specializes in elder law. The power of attorney wouldn’t help much either.
Power of attorney is an agreement between a mentally competent individual and another person, usually their closest living relative. The agreement, which covers property or health care issues, gives the relative the right to make decisions for the elderly person should he or she become unable to make decisions because of a mental or physical condition.
In other words, you need your dad’s consent to get power of attorney and he, like many older people, may be reluctant to grant this type of control even to his own children.
The other option would be to obtain guardianship, which is very difficult to do. Here, you petition the court, which determines whether your father is mentally competent to make decisions for himself.
Attorney Peck says the courts are very wary of granting guardianship; the law is very protective of the rights of the alleged disabled person.
You might try a middle ground. Hold a family meeting and let everyone speak their piece. For now, maybe, dad can stay at home with some help from a home care worker.
Q–For me, one of the most frightening things is transportation. Neither my wife or I can drive. We live in south suburban Matteson and can’t go anywhere. Because of my wife’s amputation, she can’t walk very far or stand waiting very long for the bus. I called Pace for help and what a mess! What can we do?
A–Rich Township, where you live, has door-to-door transportation services for seniors and disabled people. The bus runs Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and it can take you shopping or to doctor’s appointments. But it won’t take you out of the township. The cost is $1.50 per ride.
According to Pat Peters, township transportation director, it’s best to schedule your trips several days in advance. In general, seniors who need transportation to doctor’s appointments, or even just to get out of the house, can find help by calling their village hall. Many towns provide some type of bus service, or have volunteers who take seniors to appointments. Park Forest, for instance, runs its “Jolly Trolly” Monday through Friday and also on Sundays. For 75 cents a ride, seniors can go anywhere in town with only about an hour’s notice.
Q–Can I qualify for subsidized senior housing if I own a home in another state?
A–Maybe. The Department of Housing and Urban Development makes the rules about who can qualify for subsidized housing. The HUD office here says your income has to be less than 50 percent of the area’s median annual income. In Chicago, that’s less than $20,850 a year for a single person. You don’t have to sell the house, but the subsidized apartment must be your residence. Any income the house generates, say from rent, is counted as income, which may put you over the limit. Even if the house isn’t rented, it’s still considered an asset. As such, 5 1/2 percent of the home’s value will be added to your annual income, which also may put you over the income limit.
Q–Why aren’t any moderately priced condos for seniors being built on the South Side? Are they all being built on the North Side?
Q–What about us North Siders? Where can I find a reasonably priced condo? It seems like all the building is on the South Side.
A–South Side, North Side–it doesn’t matter. There really aren’t a lot of moderately priced condos for seniors in the city, no matter where you look.
On the South Side, try places like Dolton or South Holland. South Side real estate broker Tracy Taylor of Century 21 Enterprise says prices decline the farther out you go because the land gets cheaper.
Also, he suggests contacting a real estate agent and looking at properties. He says a fair number of condo conversions are taking place on the South Side. If you buy when the project is first announced, prices are lower. When 60 percent of the units are sold, developers usually raise prices, sometimes by as much as $20,000, he says.
On the North Side, lofts priced at $100,000 are being built, but most seniors don’t want a bunch of 20-year-olds as neighbors. There are units available in old lakefront high rises, says David Hall, managing broker of Coldwell Banker, Lincoln Park Plaza. But watch out for big assessments. Old buildings can have high maintenance costs and owners often get stuck with a special assessment for a major repair. He also advises looking in nearby suburbs, such as Skokie or Niles, towns that have nice safe neighborhoods and cater to seniors.
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Jane Adler is a Chicago-area freelance writer. If you have questions or information to share regarding housing for senior citizens, write to Senior Housing c/o Chicago Tribune Real Estate Section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 60611. Or e-mail adler@megsinet.net
