What Are All of the Different Living Setting Options for the Elderly?
As our population ages, a need exists for elder care and elder services. Some elderly people can live alone with minimal assistance; whereas others are not mentally or physically capable of fending for themselves. It is up to their families to find the best living setting, and a number of options are available.
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Staying in His Own Home
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An elderly person may be able to stay in his own home if he takes advantage of certain programs available to seniors, which include Meals on Wheels; shopping services; and adult day care and home health care services, where individuals come into the home and assist the senior with bathing. Installation of assisted living devices such as ramps, handicapped showers and tubs, portable toilets, canes, walkers and wheelchairs also make it possible for an elderly person to stay in his home. You can hire caretakers to come into the home for a few hours each day and do housework as well as to provide company for the elderly person. These caretakers can drive the senior to doctor's appointments, take him to the pharmacy and to the grocery store or just out for a ride. Old age can be an isolating experience when you can no longer get out on your own.
Non-Medical Subsidized Senior Housing
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Another living setting option is non-medical subsidized senior housing, which is supported by state and federal programs. This type of living arrangement is available to older persons who have little or moderate incomes. Employees at subsidized senior housing complex can assist residents with shopping, laundry and meals. In this type of arrangement the residents generally live independently in an apartment that is located within the complex.
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Assisted Living
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Assisted living, when an individual needs some help but can still live independently for the most part, is another alternative. Those who live in an assisted care residence pay a monthly rental fee and a fee for the services that are provided to them. If the senior in your life needs help with his medications and shopping and laundry, this may be the route to pursue. Assisted living is ideal for those who may suffer from memory issues or dementia and may require help with ambulating (walking or getting from place to place). Some assisted living facilities provide memory care programs that help the residents improve or maintain their cognitive function.
Group Living
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Group living arrangements, in which the senior lives in a home with a family that is not his own, are also available. This type of arrangement provides companionship and assistance to the senior, is a less costly option than nursing home care, and is ideal for the elderly person who does not need complete care. However, Medicare and Medicaid don't typically assist with this type of living arrangement.
Community Care Retirement Communities and Retirement Villages
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Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCS) are housing communities that afford varying levels of care depending on the resident's needs. Some residents may live independently within the community; whereas others require skilled nursing care. Some seniors opt to live in retirement communities in one- or two-bedroom apartments. Their meals are provided as are housekeeping, transportation and laundry services. The seniors can take part in activities that are planned by the management of the village. This type of living arrangement does not provide health services.
Long-Term Care Facilities
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Some elderly people who are incapable of living on their own and have serious medical conditions can live in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. A long-term care facility provides ongoing skilled nursing care as well as rehabilitation and restorative therapies. Rest homes are long-term care facilities.
Co-Reside
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Many elderly people co-reside with their children in their children's home, or their children live with them in the elderly person's home. As was typical in previous generations, many families are opting to move in together. This is a more affordable and convenient living arrangement, and it allows the senior to stay in a residence that he is familiar with or somewhat familiar with as opposed to going into a nursing home, an assisted living complex or living with a stranger in his home.
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References
- Medicare: Alternatives to Nursing Homes
- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division; "Living Arrangements And Well-Being Of The Older Population: Future Research Directions"; Victoria A. Velkoff;
- Assisted Living Source: Facilities
- ABC News; "Person of the Week: Caregivers Allow for Dignified Living Situations for Aging Parents Elder Care"; Cokie Roberts & Enjoli Francis; Feb. 4, 2011
- Aging Parents and Elder Care: Assisted Living and other living arrangements
Resources
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