Most older adults prefer to stay independent. However, continuing to live alone at home is not always the best choice.
It can be hard to decide between living in your own home and living in another type of residence. Timing is important. Start early by learning as much as possible about your choices. As your health changes and you need different care or a different type of housing, it is best if you don’t have to rush to make your decision. If possible, start looking at the options in your area before you have to make a quick decision.
There are many kinds of housing for seniors. They provide different levels of service, care, and independence. Options include:
In-Home Care
One choice is to stay at home and get help when needed. People can be hired to:
In-home care may be expensive. It also takes a lot of management and coordination. You may need to hire several people to get all of the jobs done. You may also have to hire for different shifts if you need extensive care.
Group or Family Housing
Group or family housing means sharing a house with others. This allows you to split the cost of rent, housekeeping, utilities, and meals. Group housing offers social contacts, activities, and help with chores around the house.
In adult foster care, a foster family provides meals, housekeeping, and personal care.
Retirement Housing
Retirement housing communities are for seniors who are able to live on their own but want full services such as:
Assisted Living
Assisted living housing comes in all shapes and sizes. Assisted living offers a private living unit as well as help with daily activities such as:
Meals are provided in most facilities. Health services may or may not be available, depending on the facility.
Nursing Facilities
Nursing facilities provide care for people with illnesses and disabilities that make it impossible for them to stay in their own homes. Nursing facilities are not hospitals. They provide a room; meals; help with daily activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing; and supervision. Nursing facilities are also called nursing homes or care centers.
Aides provide most of the personal care. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists may also be available. If the nursing facility provides wound care or uses tube feedings or IVs it is called a skilled nursing facility. A skilled nursing facility may be located within the nursing facility or care center.
Continuing-Care Retirement Communities
Continuing-care retirement communities, or life-care communities, offer 3 levels of care:
These communities may require a large entry fee, plus monthly fees, or you may be able to just pay rent.
A healthcare provider can do a geriatric assessment. Some primary care doctors and all geriatricians (specialists in the care of older adults) offer these assessments. The doctor and other healthcare professionals (usually a nurse or social worker) evaluate your:
They will look for current problems and try to prevent future problems that may not yet be causing symptoms. Your healthcare provider will discuss the results of the assessment with you and your family.
Your local Area Agency on Aging or a home healthcare agency can conduct a social support assessment. They have information on what community services are available. The agency will refer you to service providers for the kinds of services that are needed.
To find out about services for people over the age of 60 in any area of the country, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
A competent senior has the right to stay in his or her own home rather than enter a nursing facility. Sometimes you may not be able to stay safely at home but you may object to living in a nursing facility. Ask your healthcare provider to explain how other housing options will help with your health problems.
Healthcare providers can help judge whether an older adult is able to make decisions. If an older adult is not able to make good decisions, the court may declare the person to be incompetent. If the person has not already named a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, the court will appoint a guardian to act on the person's behalf.
