Senior citizen housing is an important need that every senior and their families or caregivers must eventually address. Housing should meet all of the needs of the senior citizen including financial, physical and accessibility needs. Seniors may be faced with no longer being able to care for themselves or a spouse alone, so other options will need to be explored. Some are able to care for themselves but just need a small amount of assistance. Seniors and their care team should work together to come up with a viable solution.
Home Care
One housing option for senior citizen living is to remain at home. This is generally the most sought after choice especially if the services from a home health care agency can be utilized. Not all seniors are completely independent as they age---this is where home care assistance comes in. A licensed and certified home health care agency can evaluate a potential senior client and identify his immediate and long-term needs. Some of the services include housekeeping, bathing, errand running or respite care for another caregiver. Care may be provided daily, weekly or monthly, depending on need and financial ability.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is a type of home or apartment where the senior can receive assistance with her day-to-day needs but still remain independent, such as daily meals, visiting nurse care, bathing assistance, shopping and errand assistance and also beauty care. Most facilities have private rooms, baths and kitchenettes for their residents. Most assisted living facilities try to remain as reasonably priced as possible and some may be able to bill Medicare or the patient's insurance provider for part of the care and costs.
Senior Living
A senior living community is an independent living option for seniors. Most communities are either apartments, duplexes, condominiums, double-wide trailers or single family homes that are close together in the same neighborhood. Most communities provide lawn and trash care. Residents generally have to be at least 55 years of age and older to purchase or lease property. Several amenities geared toward senior members may be included in the lease or purchase prices such as shuttles, golf, sports, games, outdoor recreation and mini-trips.
Nursing Homes
There is often a negative stigma over nursing homes and seniors receiving proper care at a facility. Nursing homes have to follow strict guidelines to meet the needs of patients to facilitate proper care. Most senior citizens who live in nursing homes also have complex medical needs that need to be met and often a facility is the best option. Around the clock medical care and assistance are available for those who fit the criteria established by their physicians and nursing home medical directors. Nursing homes are often associated with end of life care, but they can also serve as places of rehabilitation and recovery for those facing major surgery or illness.
Adult Family Care
Another option for many senior citizens is adult family care. This type of housing is generally found in a group home setting with a variety of seniors with different medical and physical needs living under one roof. Often, it is a large home that is converted into a handicap-accessible area for seniors. Nurses, home health aides and other medical staff or assistants stay with each senior around the clock to assure proper care and assistance in a healthy living environment.
