Housing Options for Seniors

Contemplating on future living arrangements can be quite daunting for you and your family. It can also be confusing and overwhelming because of the different types of senior housing options available today. But in general, the earlier you evaluate your current situation and how your needs will evolve as time passes, you and your family will have more control and better choices with regard to your living arrangements in the future.

Senior housing options range from staying at home to highly specialized facilities providing round-the-clock care. The names of these can vary from one area to another, but the main difference lies in the degree of care provided as it pertains to medical assitance and activities of daily living. Below are guidelines that can help you understand the various types of senior housing and decide which one may be best for you.

Aging in Place

Most seniors elect to stay at their own homes as they age. The advantage is that you are familiar with the place as well as the members of the community. There is also a variety of home care services which can help in maintaining your level of independence while staying in the warmth and comfort of your home.

This is a good choice if your loved ones live nearby and if your medical needs don’t call for a high level of care. The neighborhood must be safe, transportation is readily available and your home should be easy to modify in order to suit your changing needs. More importantly, you must have a gregarious personality and able to reach out to others for support.

Independent Living Communities

This is the general term for any housing facility that has been designed and built exclusively for seniors who are independent and with only minor medical problems. Independent living communities are also known as retirement homes, retirement communities, senior apartments and congregate care. These may take the form of free-standing homes, apartment complexes or condominiums. The housing is generally friendlier to seniors since it is easy to navigate, more compact, and includes assistance with outside maintenance. In some communities, clubhouses and recreational centers are also available.

Assisted Living

Assisted living or assisted care communities are specifically designed for seniors who can no longer live safely on their own but don’t need the high level of care and assistance provided by nursing homes. A little help with activities of daily living, medications management, housekeeping and meals are typically provided. The residents stay in private apartments that usually feature a scaled-down kitchen. The meals are served in a central dining area and the staff members are available round-the-clock to ensure safety. Majority of assisted living communities employ licensed nurses. Scheduled transportation and group activities are likewise offered in most communities.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are known for providing the highest level of care for seniors who don’t require hospital stay. They are also known as long-term care facilities, convalescence care and nursing centers. What sets them apart from other types of senior housing is the fact that they provide a high degree of medical care and monitoring. The care for each resident is supervised by a licensed physician and a nurse is almost always on duty. Other medical professionals like physical and occupational therapists may also be available at the premises.

A nursing home is the ideal choice if the personal and medical needs are already too great to manage at home or in other senior housing facilities. This situation may have been caused by a recent hospitalization or a chronic disease which has worsened over time.

As previously mentioned, there are many different types of senior housing options. What have been discussed are the major ones that are likely present in your area. Other types of senior housing facilities include naturally occurring retirement communities (NORC), Alzheimer’s care, group homes, respite care, and the relatively new concept called village solution.