6 • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • CAREGIVER
Wide variety of housing options available to seniors
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•••
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you decipher the different types of
housing options available to seniors and
recommend some good resources for
locating them? I need to find a place for
my elderly mother and could use some
help.
— Overwhelmed Daughter
Dear Overwhelmed,
There is a wide array of housing
options available to seniors,
but what is appropriate for your
mom will depend on her needs
and financial situation. Here’s a
rundown of the different levels of
senior housing and some resources
to help you choose one.
Independent living: If your
mom is in relatively good health
and self-sufficient, independent
living communities are a top
option that can offer a sense of
community. Typically available
to people over age 55, this type of
senior housing is usually apartments
or townhomes that are fully
functional. In addition, many
communities also offer amenities
such as meals served in a common
dining area, housekeeping, transportation
and a variety of social
activities.
To locate this type of housing,
contact your Area Agency on Aging
(call 800-677-1116 to get your
local number), or use an online
search tool such as Caring.com.
Most of these communities are
private pay only and can vary
greatly in cost ranging anywhere
from $1,500 to $6,000 per month.
Assisted living: If your mom
needs some help with daily living
chores, she probably will need
an assisted living facility. These
facilities provide help with the
activities of daily living — such
as bathing, dressing, eating, going
to the bathroom — as needed,
as well as meals, housekeeping,
transportation, social activities
and medication management.
Many facilities also offer special
memory care units for residents
with dementia.
Costs for an assisted living usually
run between $3,000 and $6,000
per month depending on location
and services needed. Most residents
pay for assisted living from
personal funds, while some have
long-term care insurance policies.
And many state Medicaid
programs today also cover some
assisted living costs for financially
eligible residents.
Costs for an assisted living usually run between $3,000 and $6,000 per month depending on
location and services needed. Most residents pay for assisted living from personal funds, while
some have long-term care insurance policies. And many state Medicaid programs today also cover
some assisted living costs for financially eligible residents. Another similar, but less expensive
option to look into is board and care homes. These offer many of the same services as assisted living
facilities but in a much smaller home setting.