Housing options for senior citizens are generally split into three types: independent living, assisted living and nursing home care. Assisted living is geared toward people who don’t have severe medical problems but do need some help preparing meals or taking care of personal needs, such as bathing, dressing and grooming. These services can be provided in a number of settings.
Assisted Living Residences
Traditional assisted living residences come in a wide variety of building styles and sizes and may be designed with features such as hallway handrails, emergency pull cords, higher sinks, brighter lights and easy-to-use door handles. The senior citizen organization AARP notes that assisted living costs can range widely based on the services available, such as meals, housekeeping, bathing and dressing. Assisted living residences also may offer planned social events and entertainment, outings or transportation to local stores.
Board and Care Homes
AARP reports that board and care homes are similar to assisted living residences, but they tend to be smaller in scale. A board and care residence will provide a room, meals and help with daily activities. However, AARP warns that some of these homes are not licensed or monitored by local authorities. In addition, in some states board and care homes may provide some nursing services, though they are not considered medical facilities.
Congregate Housing/Senior Retirement Communities
Helpguide.org, which offers a senior living guide, reports that congregate housing used to be considered a unique combination of private living quarters with communal meals and activities, but it’s now considered a type of assisted living. In these senior retirement apartments, residents have their own units in a building but may join with other residents in a central dining area and share housekeeping services. These communities also tend to offer a variety of social and recreational activities. AARP notes that there can be a wide range in rental fees. Some of these communities receive public subsidies to keep them more affordable, but residents must meet certain income limits.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities are a blend of all three types of housing options for senior citizens. People may enter one of these communities while they are still living independently and use as many or as few of the services on campus as they desire. As their health and needs change, they can move to an assisted living residence that may simply be in another part of the same building or a short walk away. If serious medical needs arise, they can take advantage of nursing home care in the same community. AARP warns that there is often a sizable entrance fee in these communities, as well as monthly charges for various services.
