Shelley EWhere should a senior live? It’s a question you’ll have to answer sooner or later. Here’s how to tackle it.
As we grow old, our needs change. Depending on our support system, we may or may not be able to “age in place” and remain living at home.
How do you decide where a senior should live? It’s a dilemma many families face, and whether you’re the senior in question or it’s a loved one in need of the ideal setting, let’s look at how to solve this issue.
Options for Senior Living
When you start to think about where to place a senior, the decision will likely come down to the following options:
1. Continue living at home
This option is reserved for the senior who is currently living in an apartment or home. They enjoy their privacy and independence. They’re not at the point where they need around-the-clock care, so they’d rather age in place instead of moving to an assisted living environment.
If the person wants to keep living at home, there are options that can fulfill their needs, such as:
- In-home care
- Adult daycare
- Hospice at home
All of the above will allow the senior to sleep in the comfort of their home’s bed every night. If the in-home care must be full time, please note that it could cost as much as assisted living.
If you choose this option, you may want to research services like home modification, medical alert solutions, call reassurance, senior transportation, senior centers, respite care, mobility equipment, and reverse mortgages. Aid and Attendance should be researched as well if you are a veteran or a surviving spouse.
2. Live with friends or family
Some seniors prefer to move in with friends and family instead of living by themselves at home. This option works well when there’s a multi-generational housing setup. The senior can maintain some level of independence and privacy being around their loved ones, while also receiving assistance should they need it.
If living with family is not an option, they can move in with other seniors to gain companionship and cut costs. As with the first option, some services worth diving deeper into here include:
- Home modification
- Medical alert solutions
- Call reassurance
- Senior transportation
- Senior centers
- Respite care
- Reverse mortgages
- Mobility equipment
3. Transfer to senior housing
When a senior needs a higher level of care, senior housing may be necessary. Assisted living offers many benefits to fit a senior’s needs, such as:
- On-site care
- Help with daily activities
- Companionship and socialization
- Transportation
Before choosing this option, you will have to see that it meshes with your finances. If you do not have sufficient private funds, Medicaid may pay for a portion of senior housing. You may also get help from SSI, veteran’s benefits, life settlements, or long-term care insurance.
As for types of senior housing to research, here’s a list of phrases worth exploring:
- Assisted living
- Active independent living
- Subsidized senior housing
- Continuum of Care (CCRC)
- Personal care boarding homes
4. Use a skilled nursing facility
If a senior is chronically ill, they may need the highest level of care possible besides hospitalization, which can come from a skilled nursing facility. Registered nurses and other medical professionals will offer around-the-clock help here, which is likely the most expensive option of the bunch.
Mark Luigi
