Housing Options for the Elderly

By 2011, Senior citizens or those over the age of 65 will be the fastest growing population in every state in the Union. As people age, their ability to be able to able to maintain their homes, mow their yards and do the day to day chores can become more difficult. Most people are attached to their houses and their neighborhoods and do not want to relocate. They would prefer to age in place and if they have support services where there is assistance with cooking, cleaning and shopping and yard work, they may be able to live there for quite awhile.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to relocate seniors because of health or financial issues. When looking for elderly apartments, one needs to make sure the location is close to stores, hospitals, doctors and transportation. Seniors have to spend a lot more of their income on healthcare, drugs and food, leaving not much for rent and other necessities. Selling their home could free up equity so that they can afford to move into an apartment situation. Elderly apartments should be set up to accommodate the aging person with grab bars and easily accessible showers that they can safely get in and out of. Also ramps and wheel chair access would be highly desirable. An ideal neighborhood would be quiet with little traffic, no crime and still be close to friends and family.

When a retired person reaches a point where living independently becomes more of a hardship, elderly assisted living apartments may become necessary. Here meals are served and there are medical personnel on site to administer medication and give around the clock monitoring. Assisted living facilities are the fastest growing area amongst the senior residences and it is not inexpensive. Costs are around $80.00 a day and even more in the larger cities.

As of today, there is a massive shortage in affordable elderly apartments and housing and as the population continues to age, this will need to be urgently addressed.