I tried assisted living for $7,000 a month, but felt it was way too expensive. I bought a small home and now live on my own.

Lana Mountford lives independently in a small house after trying out assisted living. Lana Mountford Lana Mountford, 74, moved from assisted living to a two-bedroom house due to rising costs. Mountford manages health issues with part-time care after leaving a costly assisted living facility. Maintaining independence, Mountford plans to live in her Bellingham home despite health challenges. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lana Mountford, 74, who lives in Bellingham, Was...