What options do the elderly have for housing and what is the best option - Research Paper Example

?  According to the Census Bureau statistics on July 2004, 12 percents of all Americans, which is 36.3 million, were 65 and older. By 2050, the bureau predicts that people 65 and older will comprise an impressive 21 percents of the U.S. population, which will be 86.7 million. Knowing this, we come to realization that there will be an increased need for a vast array of different types of housing. The choice of the living arrangements largely depends on the capabilities and needs of the individual. Despite needs for changes, there are things, specific to aging that do not change. Throughout the retirement time the individual will likely have smaller income, and his problems with health are likely to increase. According to statistics, those who live to age 65, on average are likely to live to over 80 years, which makes about 15 - 20 years of life after the retirement. That is a long enough period of time, which presents its challenges: economical, health and psychological pressure, etc. This often leads to the necessity of changing the housing situation a number of times during the time between the onset of retirement and death. To get information on the available housing options for elderly, to determine what are the options preferred and recommended, we looked into variety of sources such as articles, congress Acts, governmental and non-governmental Internet resources. Study of the sources provided both the clear description of the problem of housing for elderly as well as wide variety of options of solving the problem. There are many reasons of why the senior citizens might have issues about the housing. However, as the professor McFadden summed it up: “The main issues in housing the elderly in the United States are affordability and suitability.” (Noguchi, p.109) Once a person or household gets retired, they face the fact that their income will get significantly lower than on the peak of their life. The Government provides senior citizens with Social Security income, private pensions, and public assistance programs. All of these will enable most elderly not to live in poverty. However, the more they age, the less income they will receive. Other issues such as healthcare and quality of life will become more urgent as well. Therefore the housing itself will become a problem. The society at large is aware of this problem and significantly contributed to its solving. As of now, elderly citizens have different options to accommodate their housing needs. When considering housing options, the first question is if in-home care is possible. The best advantage for the elderly is that he would stay in the most comfortable place – their own home, and the care givers, such as medical assistant or companion and helper in the home comes to the house. However, this option can too costly. According to the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) and The Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995(HOPA), there are two basic federal strategies to accommodate housing needs of the elderly. One of them is building new public complexes. This project is under supervision of Section 202 HUD governmental department. The other strategy is to assess the needs of residents through the governmental funding. However, there is large percentage of senior citizens, who will not use federal assistance in solving their housing situation. They do have many options to choose from. All of those options have one big disadvantage to the elderly – they will have to permanently leave their home and start living in a totally new environment. For some, it will be difficult to adjust. Considering housing options, these are the main factors of concern of senior citizens or their relatives: safety issues, location – to be close enough to their children; availability of transportation; challenging inside house set up – staircases, facilities matching to the need and ability of the senior; present house is too big or too costly to maintain, etc. “Seniors Only” complexes or communities These are apartment complexes, cooperatives, etc that are just like any other neighborhoods or communities, except there is an age limit restrictions of 55 or 62 years and older. There are HUD regulations for these types of communities and age restriction that have to be adhered. Small percentage of younger residents is allowed to community. These communities are usually for those who prefer active life style. Often there are varieties of clubs and interests groups as well as some sport facilities. However, usually these communities do not have medical facilities. Modular Home Communities These communities, often referred as mobile home communities, have full time residents or those who reside there only part of the year. Some will come to stay only for few months or days. Most of the mobile units are owned by the residents, sometime are leased to them. Again, if the community is a retirement community, most likely there will be an age restriction to those ages 55 and older. Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) ECHO housing also known as Granny Flats or Accessory Units is a house opportunity where elderly can occupy the second family living unit or apartment with a separate entrance, on a single-family lot, with another family. This is a good option for those, whose elderly parents prefer to live alone, yet they need a family support. These are semi-independent living arrangements that usually built on the property of adult children. The ECHO housing allows to monitor closely the conditions of the aging parents, and makes it easier to care for them, which helps families avoid putting their aging family member into nursing home or an assisted living. Shared Housing In order not to be alone, people can share houses. The unrelated roommate is not necessarily has to be another elderly. There are professional organizations, often non-profit organizations that are arranging these types of housing. They are basing their match on the needs of one side and abilities to provide on the other. They also follow up afterwards to see how well the sharing is going. Many elderly, especially those with low income found out that home sharing is a solution that enabled them to remain in their homes. Shared living also enhances the health and well-being of the people involved, provides security and allows them to remain independent in their home. Assisted Living (or Residential Care For Elderly/RCFE) This is the type of living where people are offered daily care non-medical assistance. Residents, living in private units have their independence as well personal care and support available as needed. In some states this type of assistance need licensing. A resident of an assisted living community is provided with assistance with daily living basic activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and more. Some assisted living communities also offer medication assistance, albeit not complex. There is home-like atmosphere in these communities. Assisted living is often viewed as an alternative to the very costly and institutionalized lifestyle in the nursing homes. It is associated with privacy, control and independence. However, not everybody will be able to afford it. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) Unlike assisted living, CCR offers the senior citizens the facilities, where they can live in their own home, and have an availability of health care and other services such as social activities, dining services, etc. The residents enjoy their private lifestyle and independence, while receiving continuous healthcare as the need arises. Continuing Care Retirement Communities are often referred to as Life care because the community itself provides the opportunity for a continuum of care. Skilled Nursing Facilities These are facilities, commonly referred to as nursing homes, are the most common, and provide most intensive care for its residents. They can be part of the senior’s community or to be a community in itself. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are equipped to provide around the clock short-term or acute nursing needs, or to meet complex medical care demands. These facilities also offer assistance to those, who can no longer live independently. Alzheimer’s Facilities On the early stage, Alzheimer’s patients could be accommodated in other communities such as Congregate Community or an assisted living community. But as the disease advances and behavior specific to it is developing, the patient would be best accommodated in Alzheimer’s Facility, which provides specialized living arrangements for seniors with severe memory impairments. In these facilities patients provided with housing, basic daily living care as well as constant supervision, nursing care, and personalized care designed to offer patients mental and memory stimulation. Some facilities are freestanding. However, many nursing homes and assisted living facilities include separate on-site Alzheimer’s / Dementia units, because oftentimes Alzheimer’s patients also require other services provided by nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Senior Day Care Centers The types of services in these centers vary from "custodial care" with programs for stimulation and rehabilitation to providing medical care. This is another alternative to home health services, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Some Senior Day Care centers also provide recreational activities, counseling, social services and meals for elderly. In some communities, transportation is provided for senior citizens to and from day care center. There are also several other variables of housing accommodations for senior citizens, such as Foster homes, Congregate living, etc. The very fact of existence of so many different types of housing options testify that there is a possibility of choosing a personalized plan which will adequately cover the physical and psychological needs of the elderly. There is no black and white decision on what option is the best. If funding would not be an issue, most elderly homeowners would prefer to live in their own homes and to receive medical and daily care assistance at home. However, funding is often an issue; besides, there are more factors to consider when choosing housing option, such as security, or loneliness. The most attractive option for me personally is the ECHO housing opportunity. However, it is not always possible, and there is a solution to make in each individual case, the decision that cannot be taken lightly. Especially in the case of placing senior citizen under the lifelong care program, many aspects have to be considered. References: Kastenberg, Elizabeth C. and Chasin, Josef Elderly Housing. Irs.gov.Irs.gov. 2009.Web 20 April 2011 Lanza, Sue “Which Care Option is For You: In-Home Care or Senior Housing?” ElderCare a division of QuinStreet, Inc 2011. Web. 19 April 2011 Noguchi, Yukio and Wise, David A., eds. “Aging in the United States and Japan: Economic Trends” University of Chicago Press. January 1994. Print. Pastalan, Leon A. and Cowart, Marie E. “Lifestyles and Housing of Older Adults: The Florida Experience” (Aka : Journal of Housing for the Elderly, Vol 5, No 1 Journal of housing for the elderly). Routledge. 1989. Print Rosenberg, Matt “Life Expectancy” About.com. 2011. Web. 20 April 2011 Trottier, Lisa , “ECHO Backyard Cottages: An Innovative Solution for Senior Housing”. Caring.com Caring, Inc. 2011. Web. 19 April 2011 “Housing problems and options for the elderly”. Esc.edu.The University of Southern California. 2011. Web. 19 April 2011 “Housing: Alternative Options - Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities”. medicine.jrank.org Net Industries and its Licensors. 2011 Web. 18 April 2011 Public Law 104-76-Dec.28.1995 seniorresource.com Irvine, CA 2011. Web. 19 April 2011 Read More