Apartment and Rental Blog » Senior Housing

Making Senior Housing Choices

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:31:01 +0000

We often hear about obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease, but there are also the stealthier issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or macular degeneration. Each can cause its own kind of disability, and may affect your decision making. Here are a few definitions that will help you decide the best place for yourself or your loved ones:

Senior independent Living: A community of seniors living in an apartment complex or retirement community with no custodial or medical care. Grounds keeping and some utility services may be included, however.

Congregate Housing: Independent living in a senior apartment, with the added services of custodial and medical care.

Assisted Living Facility: A group home consisting of private rooms or apartments with assistance in activities of daily living, but little or no medical care.

Board-and-Care Home: A small Assisted Living Facility.

Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing Facility): A facility with 24-hour medical care available, in addition to custodial care.

Continuing-Care Retirement Community: A residential community for the remainder of one’s life, with a choice of services and living situations based on changing needs at each point in time.

Adult Family Homes: A newer option that allows for assisted living in a single family home. This is a more appealing option for many, as it provides for greater privacy as well as a feeling of family life. Many adult family homes are staffed with certified professionals who also reside in the home.

In-Home Care: Most likely the best of all options for seniors. Statistically, older people live longer, healthier and enjoy a better overall quality of life when they are able to remain in their own home. This option usually requires that more than one full-time in-home health care provider come to the home daily, providing shopping, bathing, dressing and cooking services. These client-directed services do not include medical care, as most in-home care attendants are not medical professionals; however, all in-home health care workers are required to maintain their certification through continuing education each year.

How will you know when it’s time to examine your senior housing options? Keep an eye out for tell-tale signs of day-to-day difficulties. For example, if household chores are ignored or left incomplete, if bathing or dressing becomes too difficult or dangerous, or if a senior is becoming isolated, this may narrow your choices. Additionally, if your parent has an ongoing medical condition that is becoming difficult to manage, this can be a determining factor.

The proliferation of senior care options is in direct response to the needs of our society. Before you find yourself on a waiting list, or are unable to find reliable in-home assistance due to the demands of an aging population, plan now for your short- and long-term care. There seems to be no end to the acronyms and abbreviations associated with this information, so by allowing yourself the time to get educated, you will greatly alleviate your confusion. This can become most urgent when an aging parent passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind a spouse now living alone. You want to be able to plan for current and evolving needs, so give yourself the luxury of that time.

Choosing The Best Senior Housing For Your Parents

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:19:09 +0000

When your parents reach the age and the stage of life where they would be happier in senior housing you may be skeptical and a bit anxious to start the search.That’s because it is especially hard to think of your parents needing care from someone other than themselves. Also, seeing them move to another home and selling your childhood home can be stressful and sad. But, just imagine how your parents are feeling. They never thought the day would come that they wouldn’t be able to properly care for themselves or would need stair lifts to go up and down the stairs. We all know we are going to grow old one day, it’s just hard to accept sometimes when that day actually comes.

One thing to look for is wheelchair lifts if your parents are in wheelchairs or vertical lifts that will help them get around in their wheelchair. Many older individuals end up needing a wheelchair, walker, or cane at some point in their lives, which means stair lifts, vertical lifts, and wheelchair lifts are all important things to look for. You should also consider a home that is only one level so that your aging parents won’t need to go up and down stairs. It could be that they are able to walk fairly well now, but as they age going up and down stairs may be more difficult or they may end up in a wheelchair. As a result you should look for senior housing that fits your parents now, but that also fits them in the future should certain things happen. It really is difficult considering these types of things, but it must be done to ensure your parents end up in the best living arrangements possible.

The best senior housing is housing that works for your aging parents now as well as into the future. Consider whether or not there is personal care, maid services, meal service, and any other necessities your parents might need should the become unable to do them for themselves. When you consider these things you will surely be able to find the best housing for your senior parents and rest assured knowing they are taken care of. Senior housing has come a long way from dingy old nursing homes. Assisted living communities in particular are generally outstanding. If you or a family member is beginning to get to an age where a bit of help would be prudent, make sure to speak with a placement service about the options in your area.

Factors That Decide the Cost of Senior Housing

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:50:13 +0000

Housing needs has always been of prime importance for entire life span of every individual. This major necessity in life intensifies as one approach the retirement stage. Houses that had been comfortable since last many years at the age of retirement now seem to require some alterations and changes. Physical capabilities of persons change with passing time and this leads to discomfort in performing activities that were earlier very easy. So an elderly person now increasingly needs a house that is more comfortable, safe and secure. Houses pertaining to the individual requirements of people who are to live in the house are more important for intimates who have reached their golden years in life. there are certain factors that decide the cost of senior housing, so you should be very clear about what you want. • Location plays an important part in deciding the cost of senior housing. Depending on where your housing is, it will be priced. Remember, senior housing can cost as much as other housing if the location is a prime one. • If you are interested in living independently, you will be able to find one-bedroom apartment or a large single-family apartment in a retirement community. However, the cost will dependent on the size of the house. • Based on the amenities and services the cost of senior housing is determined. While some senior housing have just a community recreation center, others have elaborate amenities like a golf course, health club and social activities. Obviously the senior housing with more amenities will cost more. In addition, you might have to pay extra for housekeeping, shopping, laundry, and ferrying you around. • There are many senior housing facilities that provide assisted living. However, depending on how much you are willing to pay, you can either get the benefit of communal eating or help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, toileting, being transported when necessary and grooming. • If you have a chronic illness, you should be looking for a senior housing facility that offers 24-hour trained healthcare professionals. However, this facility will make the housing quite expensive and only opt for it if you can afford it.