<p>I’m not sure if this option is available where you live, but when my Mom became widowed and couldn’t handle her big rural farmhouse any more, she researched options and found a “continuous care” senior living campus. It begins as independent cottage living, followed by assisted living (whenever that becomes necessary) in a central building, followed by a full hospital-style nursing home (when needed), all on the same campus. </p>
<p>Her current independent cottage living is not expensive but allows her to access all the on-campus activities and programs for senior citizens. For better and for worse, she’ll never have to move again. She has her car, use of her own kitchen whenever she chooses (or buys cafeteria-style in the central dining hall if she’s not in the mood to cook). My brothers live a mile away.</p>
<p>She chose a cottage in the least expensive part of the campus to save money for the long haul. She finds it cozy and nice, despite some loneliness and adjustment issues that haven’t gone away after 2 years 
It is certainly a wise use of money, and costs much less than condos in her area.</p>