How Can I Get an Apartment for an Elderly Person Living Independently in Allentown, Pennsylvania?
Helping elderly, whether family members or friends, requires some patience, as getting services and proper living arrangements in place often requires following many paths and processes. For those trying to locate housing in the Allentown, Pennsylvania, area for independent elderly residents, a few choices exist. Finding just the right housing environment or apartment may take some time, as multiple options exist. Working with the person you are trying to help, and having them as involved as possible, will help ensure the right decision is made.
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Things You'll Need
- Copies of identification proving age
- Copies of medical records
- Copies of tax returns
- Budget
- Notebook
- Digital camera or video recorder
Instructions
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Verify that the senior is able to live independently. Have the person reviewed and assessed by a physician in the Allentown area. Make sure that living alone is something the person wants to do, which is especially true if the person has been recently left to live alone due to the death of a spouse. If you or the person are unsure, schedule a counseling or assessment session with a representative in the Assessment and Care Division of Lehigh County's Department of Aging and Adult Services.
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Review the income, output and total assets available of the person. If the person is uncomfortable with sharing sensitive financial information, explain that you must know how much they have available for rent and utility payments on a monthly basis for living in an apartment. Make sure to note all figures so that you have information ready when required. Gather other income and expense information such as tax returns, social security or retirement income statements and medical bills in case the apartment chosen is income-sensitive, or income limits for residency exist.
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Review the subsidized housing list made available and maintained by Lehigh County's Department of Human Services, Aging and Adult Services. Print out a copy of the list via the website or have one mailed to you. Sit down with the person and go through the entire list. Ask the person if they have friends or know of anyone living at any place on the list. Highlight choices the person is interested in based on reputation and location.
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Obtain a list of approved retirement communities located throughout the Allentown area. Lehigh County government maintains a listing of all facilities in and around the area. Using the same process as before, go through each choice, one by one, and highlight choices that the person has interest in. Discuss with the person the option of moving into a retirement community's independent living area as opposed to a private apartment complex that is not linked to or supported by an on-call medical staff. Weight the options between the two choices and create a list of pros and cons for both choices.
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Contact all potential retirement communities and apartment complexes on your thinned-out list of choices. Start by contacting all facilities that you have highlighted on your list. Visit in person all locations and call each property in advance to schedule a time to tour the grounds and actual apartments. Take notes and photographs while touring so that you can sit down and compare options after all have been visited. Contact the Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services Department if you have any questions or concerns about specific properties.
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Tips & Warnings
If the person has a reduced or low income, consider helping them apply for rental assistance made available through the State of Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue.
Consider getting other family members or friends of the person involved in the process if you are hesitant about the person's ability to live independently.
References
Resources
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