Assisted Living Resources

Housing Options for Older People

An article from the AARP website

There are many reasons older people think about giving up their homes. The house and yard are more than they want to maintain. The house is just too quiet. Living alone in the old neighborhood is isolating and inconvenient. Health problems make independent living a struggle. Finances have grown tight.

These are just some of the reasons older people may want to re-evaluate their housing situation and consider alternatives. While ultimately the decision must be that of the parents, adult children can help their parents review the options and decide what choice might work best.

What You Should Know

There are many housing possibilities for older adults, and they are constantly changing. The following overview describes the most common arrangements and provides links to more detail about some of the options.

For Those Able To Live Independently Or With Minimal Assistance

Home Modification
Sometimes all that is needed to keep people in their own homes is to make some changes to the home. Replacing doorknobs with door handles or faucet knobs with faucet levers can greatly help arthritic hands and wrists. Removing scatter rugs, increasing the wattage of light bulbs, and installing grab bars in bathtubs all reduce the risk of falls. Remodeling a bathroom can help those with mobility difficulties.

Senior Retirement Communities
Sometimes called "senior apartments," these buildings are for residents who are mobile and can take care of themselves in their own apartments. A variety of social and recreational activities are usually offered. Sometimes meals are available in a central dining room, and housekeeping services may be offered. There is usually no entrance fee, and rents can vary widely. Meals and other services usually cost extra.

Homesharing
At any age, two or more people can share a home or apartment. Generally, each person has a private bedroom and shares the kitchen and other living spaces, as well as sharing household chores. Sometimes assistance with cooking or cleaning can be exchanged for rent. Faith-based groups (and others) may sponsor these homes. Some homeowners seek this arrangement to avoid living alone or to supplement their income.

Accessory Apartments
These are constructed by making a separate apartment within a detached home, such as a basement apartment or one above the garage or in the attic. They allow people to live in privacy and independently without living alone. Help with household tasks can be exchanged for rent. Construction costs vary widely. Creating an accessory apartment is more economical in a two-story home than in a single-story home.

Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunities (ECHO)
ECHO homes are small, portable "cottages" that can be placed in the back or side yard of a single family home - usually the home of an adult child. The resident lives close to family or friends who can provide needed support, yet each keeps his/her own living space. These units typically cost $25,000 and up.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)
These facilities offer several housing options and services depending upon the needs of the resident. Typically residents begin by living independently in their own apartments. Later they may move to an assisted living facility on the same grounds. Some may move in and out of the CCRC nursing home, as skilled nursing care is needed. A CCRC is out of the financial range of many older persons because they often require a large entrance fee and have expensive monthly charges.

For Those Needing Assistance With Everyday Activities

Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities generally provide housing, group meals, personal care and support services, and social activities in a residential setting. Some health care may be provided. Costs may be $1,000-3,000 a month or more. A few states help pay for personal care services for those with limited incomes; more typically, assisted living residents must pay their own way.

Board and Care Homes
Board and care homes are smaller in scale than assisted living facilities. They provide a room, meals, and help with daily activities. Some states will allow some nursing services to be provided, but these homes are not medical facilities. These homes may be unlicensed, and even licensed homes are infrequently monitored by the state. Costs range from $350 - $3,000 a month. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may help pay for those with very limited incomes.

Foster Care
Some families will take an older person in to their homes when the person needs some help with daily living. The foster family provides services such as cooking meals and doing laundry. Ideally, the older adult becomes a surrogate family member and receives emotional support and companionship, as well as housing. Costs range from $500 - $3,000 per month. SSI is often used to cover the cost.

Nursing Homes
For those who need skilled nursing care and/or substantial long-term assistance, nursing homes are an option. These homes provide medical services, personal care, and meals. Bedrooms and bathrooms may be shared. Costs average about $56,000 a year but many are more expensive. Medicare provides only short-term coverage and must follow a hospitalization. Medicaid offers coverage for low-income, low-asset residents.

For More Information

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA)
AAHSA is a national nonprofit organization representing 5,600 not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living residences and senior housing facilities and community service organizations for the elderly. Their Website offers information to the consumer, including a list of accredited continuing care retirement communities, tips for choosing an assisted living facility, a sample assisted living resident agreement, and more. The new AAHSA resource, "The Consumers' Directory of Continuing Care Retirement Communities," is now available. Ordering information is on the Website.

Eldercare Locator
To get information on how to locate the nearest agency on aging and on a wide variety of community services to support older adults, visit their web site or call 1-800-677-1116 weekdays, between 9AM - 8PM Eastern Time.