Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies estimates that by 2030 there will be 70 million elderly citizens ages 65 and older living in the United States. Senior citizens constitute 25 percent of all homeowners, the largest homeownership rate by age category. Even though the majority of senior citizens want to spend their retirement in their own home, their home might not have exactly the health-care needs they might require. Living and housing communities equally offer assistance and amenities that promote independent living.
Kinds of Senior Living Arrangements
Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies lists five basic kinds of senior living arrangements: assisted communities, unassisted senior housing communities, shared housing, supported housing and conventional housing. Assisted and unassisted senior communities tend to be age-restricted so that only senior citizens reside within them. Shared housing involves a senior citizen residing with a person under the age of 60, either at the senior citizen’s home or in the house of this under-60 individual. An example of this would be a senior citizen moving in with her middle-aged child. Supported housing involves a senior citizen living in his own home, but receiving help from outside the house from somebody who’s not a relative.
Traditional Home
The most popular type of mature living arrangement is conventional housing. Even the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) says that 90 percent of senior citizens choose to reside in their own houses over senior housing or assisted living facilities. To be able to live in conventional housing, a senior citizen has to be in moderate to good health and ready to look after daily tasks such as dressing and bathing by herself.
Senior Housing Communities
Age-restricted senior communities are very popular in the South and in the West; nobody under retirement age is permitted to reside there. Residents residing in these communities do not receive in-home nursing care and also have easy access to clubs, groups, and sports activities. They’re meant for relatively healthy and active people age 60 and older. Lake Ashton is a good example of a retirement community for active seniors in central Florida. Located south of Orlando, it hosts a large clubhouse, a wellness spa and fitness center, two 18-hole stone classes, a library, a game area, a film theater, a bowling alley, heated pools and spas and an activities director. It is designed for involved and active seniors that do not demand a great deal of medical aid. Seniors live independently while appreciating community together with other seniors.
Assisted Living Communities
Senior citizens who reside in assisted living centers are normally 85 years or older and don’t have any children residing in the area. There are a huge array of assisted living communities, ranging from the ones that care for frail seniors that are unable to care for themselves to centers offering meals and limited support, but not full-time nursing staff. In accordance with Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, one-third of assisted living communities offer onsite nursing attention, and one-fourth have off-site care. Seniors residing in assisted living communities like as much independence as they can, but can also have help with things like dressing, bathing, and grooming if necessary. Assisted living communities differ from nursing homes because they do not offer you complex medical services.
Making the Ideal Choice
Choosing the proper form of senior housing depends on a range of variables. When a senior has several health issues and wants to do so, he can stay in conventional housing without problems. Independent senior living choices such as senior housing communities are a viable option for people who don’t demand much help for daily life and tasks and desire community activities and camaraderie. Residents of senior housing communities are generally in good health. When a senior citizen needs additional help when it comes to daily tasks such as grooming and bathing, an assisted living community might be the right choice.