| One of the biggest decisions facing those who are | | | | day to provide hygienic, nutritional, and medical |
| planning to retire is whether or not to stay in their | | | | support for the residents. |
| homes, or to join a senior housing community. And | | | | The Department of Housing and Urban |
| the best way to make a well-informed decision is to | | | | Development--HUD--has a low-income senior housing |
| have a clear understanding of the kinds of senior | | | | community option under its Section 202 program. This |
| housing community available, and if any of them | | | | choice is ideal for those over 62 who can prove that |
| offers a clear advantage over remaining at home. | | | | they qualify under the program's financial |
| There is a myriad of factors to be considered before | | | | requirements, but they are very much demand and |
| one makes a final decision about a senior housing | | | | someone applying may have to remain on a waiting |
| community. Knowing shat levels of care are available | | | | list for as long time. |
| in them can help narrow down the ones which are | | | | What To Expect For Your Money |
| suitable for each individual. | | | | A private senior housing community [ can cost |
| Different Types of Communities | | | | between $20,000 and $200,000 annually, so seniors |
| Those who wish to remain as self-sufficient as | | | | need to factor the expense into their decision |
| possible within a regulated community should look for | | | | whether or not to stay in their own homes. For that |
| am independent living senior housing community. | | | | annual expense, a resident can expect the following |
| These facilities will offer minimal assistance, allowing | | | | services: |
| their residents to maintain a great deal of privacy and | | | | * Meals |
| the freedom to participate in, or avoid, community | | | | * Payment of utilities |
| activities, as they please. | | | | * Use of the senior housing community's physical |
| An assisted living senior housing community is | | | | fitness facilities--pools, tennis or handball courts, and |
| appropriate for those who can function more or less | | | | gyms. |
| independently, but may for physical or mental | | | | * Use of the facility's library, and chances to |
| reasons, need help with minor tasks like cooking, | | | | participate in the social and religious activities and |
| driving, and taking medication. These facilities have | | | | outings arrange d by the management. |
| staffed trained to provide the necessary assistance, | | | | Anyone debating whether or not to join a senior |
| and many of them will be associated with full care | | | | housing community should definitely take the time to |
| facilities to which a resident can be moved it the | | | | visit those in his or her area, talk to the resident, and |
| need arises. | | | | get a clear idea of what services are included for the |
| A full care senior housing community will be a good | | | | cost. Comparison shopping is always a good idea, as |
| choice for chronically ill, or exceptionally frail seniors | | | | is finding out what contingencies the senior housing |
| who need constant monitoring. These communities | | | | care facility has for those residents whose care |
| will have medical professionals on staff 24 hours a | | | | needs escalate while they are there. |