Corporate housing is a catch phrase being tossed around in the travel industry right now and relates to renting out a furnished apartment or house on a somewhat temporary basis to individuals, military personnel or corporations. By design these rental arrangements are meant to be an alternative to extended hotel stays. Here are some benefits that can be gained through the utilization of corporate housing arrangements that you may not have considered or known about.

Housing opportunities are sprouting up all over the United States, as apartment developers add this profitable and much-in-demand option to their list of services. Many have realized it’s an ideal lodging method for business travelers and relocating families. As well as government and military assignments, business projects, those with insurance loss, or who have real estate needs. Simply put it’s a great alternative to an extended hotel stay.

Corporate housing is often referred to as furnished apartments or temporary housing and consists of a furnished apartment in a residential neighborhood which comes complete with furniture, house wares, all utilities connected (electricity, gas, water, phone) and sometimes maid services. It’s usually not only a physical space, but a full range of services offered to a client.

This type of housing is usually offered through real estate agencies and other property rental businesses, and is usually more affordable than hotels. Anyone looking for temporary housing for a month or more will find this type of housing the most useful.

Furnished homes are also available for executive relocations and other extended stay assignments requiring temporary housing. This is also a perfect alternative to an extended stay hotel. Corporate housing staples include TV with basic cable (additional channels are optional), fully furnished rooms, including kitchens with microwaves, dishes, basic cookware and silverware, local phone service and even linens.

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.