Have you ever been faced with an extremely difficult decision? Have you found yourself struggling with a burden of responsibility? In life, there are many instances where making the right decisions is more than crucial.
One such time is when you or a loved one is too old to take care of themselves. At a time like this, looking into the best housing options for seniors is essential. Fortunately, you can find several great choices with a bit of research.
The best housing options for seniors include co-housing, co-op housing, retirement communities, supportive housing, assisted living facilities, and life lease housing. However, getting to know more about these various housing options can help you make an informed decision about which one to go for.
When selecting a housing option for seniors, you should consider various factors such as your budget, health requirements, and personal preferences. If you are hunting for a comfortable living set up for your parents or grandparents or if you are a senior citizen yourself and want to explore some great housing options, keep reading!
The 5 Best Housing Options for Seniors
Luckily, there is no shortage of housing options for seniors. You’ll be able to find something no matter what your budget or requirements are. That being said, here is our list of the top 6 choices to look into:
1. Aging In Place
Aging in place is exactly as it sounds. In aging in place, a senior citizen stays at their own house or shares a residence with their family.
To age in place, you may have to make a few modifications in your current house. This could include moving the bedroom to the ground floor, installing a chair lift on the stairs, or even getting grab bars in your bathroom.
There are many perks of aging in place. It’s much cheaper than other housing options. Senior citizens will also have a companion around who can support them during an emergency.
2. Co-Operative Housing
Many seniors may prefer to live in a cooperative housing set up as they give a sense of community to elderly residents.
In co-op housing, adults aged 55 or above can purchase a share of a co-op community. The share gives them access to a single unit or residence and gives them a say in how the community is run.
Co-op housing usually includes communal kitchens, activity areas, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Most chores are taken care of, and seniors living there have fewer responsibilities to take on.
3. Supportive Housing
Supportive housing comes from the village concept. In this housing option, seniors live in their own homes but enlist the help of local businesses and other neighbors to carry out household chores.
Senior citizens are given personal support, medical care, and housekeeping for free or at affordable prices.
4. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)
Continuing care retirement communities are a mixture of independent living, assisted living, and a nursing facility. They have a recreational setup where seniors can enjoy every kind of support and don’t have to worry about anything.
For the elderly who prefer a community setting and need a high level of care, CCRCs are the right choice. These arrangements offer health and financial security to seniors. They also accept spouses who wish to live together.
However, CCRCs are quite expensive. There’s a high one-time entrance fee, followed by monthly fees depending on how much care is needed.
5. Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities, such as nursing homes, may seem similar to retirement communities, but that is not true. In an assisted living facility, seniors usually live in apartments all supervised by an organization.
This housing option allows seniors to live independently while also providing several support services like healthcare to cater to the care needs of sick seniors. Setups like these are excellent for seniors who require a bit of extra care.
Assisted living facilities are a bit expensive, but the cost depends on how much care you need and what type of apartment you choose to live in.
Final Thoughts
As we age, we need more care, and living alone can become challenging. Luckily, there are plenty of housing options for seniors available – including living at your own house and enlisting additional help!
Whether you choose to stay at home or move out, you will always have people around to assist you in times of need if you choose one of the five options given above. A change of lifestyle is not a small one, but it can improve our later years of life significantly!
References:
https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/consumers/owning-a-home/aging-in-place/housing-options-for-seniors
https://dailycaring.com/senior-housing-options-overview/
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