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ADDRESSING HOUSING OPTIONS
You will always need a home, but as you age your housing needs may change.
Below are several housing options you might
consider for the future. Also refer to descriptions within this chapter.
1. INDEPENDENT LIVING
Living on your own without assistance
- Remain in home – Alter and/or modify if needed
- Home-sharing, home-sitting and home-exchanging
- Senior apartments
- Retirement community
2. ASSISTED LIVING
- Free-standing
- Continuing care retirement community
- Private pay
- (State assistance)
Assisted living can include remaining in the home and retaining home care or home health services for meal preparation, assistance with medications, personal care, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, transportation, respite care, and physical therapy, etc.
Assisted living can be arranged in private residences or private apartments with bath and access to kitchenette.
Facilities provide meals, limited supervision, help with medications, physical and occupational therapy, and help with personal care.
3. Memory Care Facilities
Memory care facilities offer specialized services for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Security features designed to prevent wandering and floor plans developed to decrease confusion and agitation are often implemented. Many facilities also offer memory enhancement exercises through trained personnel. Inquire as to what specialized services are offered.
4. Adult FAMILY HOMES
An adult family home is a licensed residence with a home-like environment that can accept up to six residents. Room, board, laundry, supervision, and a variety of personal and social services that vary with each home are provided.
5. SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES
Continuous, supervised nursing care for the bedfast, immobile, or totally dependent person. Provides rehabilitation, dietetic and psycho-social services, and care for brief recovery from illness as a step between hospital and home.
- Free-standing
- Continuing care retirement community component
- Assisted living component
Ask about ventilation or respiratory therapy services, alcoholism treatment, special equipment, e.g., larger beds for the obese, etc., if needed now or as projected for the future.
"I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself."
Maya Angelou
Many variables can influence the decision of where to live, but two key ingredients are money and health. Ideally, deciding where to live after you have retired can be a fun process - provided you have planned ahead. This chapter contains descriptions of housing alternatives, guidelines for choosing housing, and a comprehensive list of choices that span the housing continuum for seniors.
Housing Resources
Real Estate Resources
Retirement Community Housing
Independent Living
Living With Assistance
Memory Care
Adult Family Home Care
Skilled Nursing Care
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