Alexandria, VA – Nothing is more nerve-racking than knowing your adult parents or loved ones need assisted living accommodations sooner rather than later. Where to begin? No worries. Retta Young has done the research for you. She will find you the best fit for your money, putting your mind at ease.
Young, known as “Ms. Retta,” owns Assisted Living Locators, which offers no-cost placement and referral services for the senior community. She specializes in assisted living, memory care, independent living, and care management. This family-centered cancer survivor works hard to ensure she’s offering her clients the best resources and housing available.
Helping families was not her first vocation, but it has been her heart and soul for the past three years. Originally from Long Island, New York, she moved to Virginia in 2001 and worked for 22 years in the federal government as an acquisitions manager.
“When Covid hit, it gave me the opportunity to reevaluate my life,” Young told Zebra, “and I wanted to do something that had meaning and makes me happy.”
Throughout her life, she has loved working with seniors, learning their history, and listening to their stories. So it was natural to want to do something in that industry. A concierge of sorts, Young tours local communities, doing all the research for her clients. She asks all the hard questions. Her territory includes Manassas and Prince William and goes past Culpepper and Orange County. But she visits Alexandria because she knows many seniors who live here are interested in knowing their options, particularly ones they can afford. She is involved in the entire process with clients from accompanying people on location tours to the contract signing. Afterward, when all the business is done, she checks in with them, making sure they are still receiving great care and addressing any concerns. She shared that her clients become family.
At her first meeting with a family, she conducts an assessment to see what type of living arrangement the senior needs. She asks the following questions: Can they eat on their own? Shower on their own? Climb stairs? The answers help determine if the individual in question is ready for independent living or needs assisted care. A factor in the need for assisted care is medication management. Following the assessment, Young assists with figuring out the financial aspects including budgeting.
Location is extremely important. Does the person want to be near his or her grandchildren? Return to his or her hometown?
Young sees the circle of life in this process. Just as these seniors took their children on college visits, now these adult children are returning the favor, helping their parents decide where they want to spend their time.
Young feels strongly about assisted living because activities offered help seniors maintain their sensory and cognitive memory since there is a natural decline with age. Many facilities create senior ambassadors, giving social butterflies confidence and purpose, showing new members of the community the lay of the land.
“If I can’t live there, I’m not going to recommend it to you,” said Young. “Even at a low end, I want to make sure it’s comfortable and they are taking care of you.”
A large part of her work involves building relationships in the local community with other businesses like financial advisors, movers, real estate agents, doctors, and social service programs. She also attends events hosted by county officials (including some in this city) that address low-income housing resources and dementia programs in the community. She uses these resources and gives them to seniors who cannot afford assisted living.
While an advisor, she is also a senior advocate. Young holds officials accountable, asking what is being done to address the shortage of affordable assisted living. She advocates for more resources dedicated to the senior community.
Young knows the population of seniors is growing and costs are rising. By 2030, all baby boomers will be in retirement, There will not be enough senior housing, She estimates a shortage of about 15 million housing units nationwide.
Learn what options are available for you. Reach out to Young for free advice and help at 540-393-6009 or [email protected] You will also find informative videos and get to know her through her YouTube page.
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