Area seniors currently seeking suitable housing options for retirement may be surprised to find a variety of options available to them here in The Little City, which may facilitate a comfortable lifestyle if they choose to stay, whether renting, owning, or seeking additional care.
Senior homeowners may seek smaller, more manageable spaces to reduce costs and maintenance, while still allowing them to maintain their independence. By downsizing — especially with home prices at all-time highs — seniors may also free up equity to provide additional funds for retirement expenses. If downsizing or selling, talking to a realtor — sooner, rather than later — is key to a successful outcome.
Tori McKinney, CEO and realtor with Falls Church-based RockStar Realty Group, says it’s never too early to start a conversation with your realtor. She says a realtor can help navigate the process, both with the sale of your home and the purchase of a new place — and can even help you determine what that new place looks like (detached home, townhouse, condo, rental).
Moving out after a lifetime in a home, McKinney stresses, is a multi-step process. “Decluttering a lifetime of possessions is no easy task,” she said. “It takes time to sift through things and determine what to keep/pack, donate, sell or toss. I like to call it the ‘pre-pack’ before the ‘full-pack’ on moving day.”
After getting things down to a minimum, additional time should be spent on minor repairs, painting, and staging — before listing the house on the market. Once the heavy lifting is over, McKinney says, “you’ll be ready for the next chapter in the book of life — and how exciting is that?”
For seniors who prefer to remain in their homes as they age, in-home care services are a great option. Aging in place allows seniors to maintain their independence while receiving the care they need in a familiar environment. Home Instead, one such provider based in Falls Church, offers personalized in-home care services, ranging from assistance with daily tasks like bathing and meal preparation to companionship and specialized care for conditions like dementia. This enables seniors to remain in their homes longer while receiving necessary support. More details can be found on their website at homeinstead.com.
For seniors seeking the convenience and community aspects of senior living, options in The Little City include The Kensington Falls Church (thekensingtonfallschurch.com), a senior living community that provides both assisted living and memory care services. The Kensington offers a warm and welcoming environment, along with various amenities and activities throughout the year promoting wellness and social engagement. Communities like The Kensington are ideal for those who want to remain in the community while benefiting from the support and convenience of assisted living.
A well-regarded option outside the city for seniors includes Falcons Landing (falconslanding.org), located in Sterling. Originally formed as the Air Force Retired Officers Community (AFROC) and previously offered only to GS14 federal employees and above (and their spouse or surviving spouse), Falcons Landing now offers assisted living apartments regardless of military affiliation at their West Falls and Johnson Centers — and have extended independent living eligibility to all qualified former military personnel and government employees, with additional exceptions for those with special relationships with government agencies associated with the national defense community. Falcons Landing provides numerous amenities for its members, along with social opportunities and a vibrant community atmosphere — and long-term care nursing, short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and memory care for those who require a higher level of care.
For seniors on limited/fixed incomes or seeking affordable housing, the City of Falls Church provides several assistance programs. The Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) program offers a limited number of residential units at reduced rates for both rent and purchase, and prioritizes seniors aged 62 and older. The ADU program can be a valuable solution for seniors looking to secure housing at below-market prices without leaving The Little City. Information about the ADU program is available at the city’s website, fallschurchva.gov/adu. The city also offers a Rent Relief program for seniors, which provides once-yearly grants ranging from $700 to $1,700 for residents aged 65 and older or those with disabilities, with the amount determined based on the recipient’s income. For more information on this program or to apply, residents may visit fallschurchva.gov/rental-assistance, or contact Falls Church Housing and Human Services via email at hhsinfo@fallschurchva.gov, or by calling 703-248-5005.
As 2024 rings in another record-breaking year for retirement — with an average of 11,000 Americans turning 65 every day through December (according to an Alliance for Lifetime Income report) — demand will likely only increase for expanded housing options for seniors who want to continue calling The Little City home in their Golden Years.
