Seniors housing options can be complicated

By Valerie
October 3, 2010

shutterstock_305463878Understanding seniors’ housing options is pretty complicated stuff.

From all the clients I work with, it is by far the most complex issue we deal with.

Last week we introduced the idea of how to assess the type of housing best for you or your loved one.x.

I actually want to take a step back and present the scenario that an aging loved one and/or couple want to stay in their own home for as long as possible. This is actually a “senior housing option” and shouldn’t be overlooked.

I can’t possibly cover all the aspects however, at the very least, this column should give you a better idea of doing your own personal assessment, for yourself or for a loved one.

Find a quarterback

It is typically best to have one point person or “quarterback” to keep the process going and make sure everyone involved understands what’s being discussed and decided. Typically one person takes on this primary role and in a way becomes the “case manager.”

This might be because he or she lives close by, has a relationship with the loved one that lends itself to discussing difficult topics, or simply because he or she is a take-charge person.

Assess the Situation

Seniors and their families want to scan the overall picture and find out what’s working well and what isn’t. This provides a benchmark to compare with down the road if health or mental abilities change. This includes:

Using the information gathered from above, families and seniors can better answer the question, “Is staying in our home the best option for us?”

If it is the best option, the next step involves prioritizing the most important needs. It’s impossible to anticipate every single need.

Possible solutions can be identified with information on how to access support and what resources (private care, equipment, services) including financial are needed to support staying in one’s home.

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