To stay or leave is at the forefront of living decisions for many seniors. There are many factors that play a role in moving to another environment, especially if you’ve been at the same address for decades. Senior housing options are stretched thin, and there is a need for more options. Depending on a senior’s physical capability, aging in place is an option to consider, but for many a helping hand is needed.
There is no one size fits all solution to senior living, which is why there are many options. When it comes to this transition, the first thought that comes to mind is often a nursing home: the last place many seniors want to end up. There has been a stigma attached to these types of facilities over the years.
Although most Michigan seniors own their own homes, it would be wrong to assume that is the end of senior housing problems. Maintenance of the home, both physically and financially, presents a challenge that increases as the senior grows older. While most seniors prefer to remain in their homes among friends and in familiar surroundings rather than move to an apartment or institutional setting, it is sometimes difficult for a senior to continue to support the home. However, if aging in place is no longer possible, there are other options to consider.
When choosing senior housing, consider these options: Level of care required, budget and financial options, location, and proximity to family. These are all difficult factors to weigh but are crucial to the outcome of a successful transition to senior living. The level of care required should always be the first step in the decision-making process. This determines what kind of facility your senior should live in.
The first option is an independent living community; these communities offer apartment homes or houses with access to communal facilities such as dining areas, fitness centers, and social activities. They provide a supportive environment, but without personal care services.
Next is assisted living facilities, these are seniors who need help with daily activities yet want to remain mainly independent. The challenge with this kind of facility is cost. These tend to be more expensive than independent living communities because of the medical care that is rendered. However, for those with significant healthcare needs this is maybe the best housing option.
The nursing home option is for seniors who need 24/7 care. This kind of housing offers seniors care from medical staff that can assist them with all their health needs. The cost for this option is the highest due to the medical attention the senior will receive. There are insurance options that can help with the cost that Medicaid covers.
Memory care facilities are needed for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia and other cognitive related issues. This kind of housing is safe for seniors who can no longer care for themselves at home alone and need a watchful eye in a secure environment. Again, this option for housing can be costly due to the specialized staff that are needed.
Ultimately, most seniors prefer to age in place. They enjoy the familiarity of the home and community they’ve lived in. Many seniors invested a significant amount of money into their homes over the years to make it just how they wanted it. It’s comfortable and familiar. Moving would incur additional costs even for individuals who have paid off their former homes There are many reasons why a senior would prefer to age in place and local governments can help them make this a smoother process by connecting to community and regional resources and strategic planning to take care of some of our most vulnerable residents.
SEMCOG is helping our communities plan for the housing needs of a growing senior population through a series of workshops including Our Aging Region: Housing Options and Resources for Seniors. One of the main takeaways is there are various housing options and resources for seniors who would prefer to age in place. For instance, we identified services and resources for seniors that have housing in disrepair or may need a ramp to assist with mobility. If you would like to hear more about what we discussed at the webinar, please check out the recording.
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