| From nursing homes to independent living facilities, | | | | other wings of the community might specialize in |
| there are many different housing options for seniors | | | | providing care for Alzheimer’s and dementia |
| in their golden years. If a parent, elderly relative or | | | | patients, and other wings might offer just basic |
| other loved one has reached the point where they | | | | nursing services. |
| can no longer stay in their own home and you cannot | | | | If your loved one is in good health but it no longer |
| provide the care they need in your home, you will | | | | makes sense for them to live in a large house all by |
| need to decide which option is right for them. | | | | themselves, independent living facilities might be a |
| Assisted living facilities might be the best option for | | | | better option. These are residential locations that |
| your loved one if they need some care and | | | | may or may not provide hospitality or supportive |
| assistance, but they are not yet at the point where | | | | services, which may be offered at a discount rate. |
| they need medical observation at all times. There is | | | | Some of these facilities allow the residents to choose |
| a range of options that are designed for different | | | | whether they need various services or not, so it is |
| levels of care and assistance, but generally these are | | | | possible to transition from a stage in life where little |
| individual apartments that may have a kitchenette, | | | | assistance is needed to later stages where more |
| with staff onsite around the clock. Assisted living | | | | assistance is needed without their having to move. |
| facilities may also provide group dining, activities and | | | | There is also government subsidized housing for |
| housekeeping, and limited nursing services may be | | | | low-income seniors that is offered through the United |
| available for an additional fee. | | | | States Department of Housing and Urban |
| There are also continuing care facilities that offer | | | | Development. |
| different types of living arrangements in the same | | | | There comes a point where independent living, |
| location, so if your elderly loved one begins to need | | | | continuing care or assisted living just makes more |
| more assistance and medical attention, they can get | | | | sense than living alone or with relatives. It is |
| the care they need without having to move into a | | | | important to think carefully about which option is |
| different facility. Some wings of the continuing care | | | | most suitable for your elderly loved one. |
| facility might offer a fairly independent lifestyle, while | | | | |