hubby and I are planning to go into Assisted Living.

[Texin]

142. I wish you the best in this situation.

The immediate challenges are daunting and heartbreaking for you, I imagine. I had to deal with the same challenge when it became necessary for us to place my mother in assisted living about eight years ago. So much of her household furnishings and accessories, along with the bulk of her clothing ended up being donated to various charities. The items that were more desirable were sold in a small consignment shop in our area and some were sold on craigslist. Obviously, they didn't bring a great price, but they did contribute to essentials. (My mother actually had two houses to sell, one in our city and another located in far east Texas near Louisiana on about 60+ acres). The entire process took over two years and I had only intermittent assistance from my brother and sister. It was exhausting.

My husband and I have discussed the what-ifs for ourselves. I'm in my early 60s and he is twelve years older and this weighs on mind a great deal now. We purchased the home we're living in on a mortgage about four years ago so the house is not yet mortgage-free. The thought of having to sell it or of moving and trying to rent it out is troubling. We're in a really hot real estate market in our area, but with 'resident Cheeto, who knows how long that will be sustainable. Our monthly mortgage payment is actually considerably less than rent would be for a two-bedroom apartment or condo would be, but I wouldn't be able to manage making the mortgage payment by myself in the future if my husband can no longer work or passes (he's a CPA and has his own practice, so he's not in a physically challenging profession, but he's going to be nearing 80 soon). The only way I could deal with the situation would be to find a job that pays decently enough to afford incidentals in addition to his Social Security benefits if he should pass. And I've not worked full-time since 2008, when I left my last position to deal with my mother's situation.