By Emily Cooper
The various housing options for seniors range from those that provide little or no care to those that provide full care. It’s important to understand the services of each to determine which is most appropriate for your elder loved one. Making the right choice can be confusing, but plenty of helpful information is available. Here’s a start.
Residents in independent living situations live in their own apartments, with all the amenities needed to enjoy an independent lifestyle but with little support from the housing facility (though services vary). Apartments may be privately owned, public housing, or subsidized housing.
Assisted living residences (also known as personal care homes or personal care boarding homes) are designed for the frail or disabled senior who can no longer live independently but is not yet in need of skilled nursing care. They offer 24-hour oversight, meals, snacks, housekeeping, medication supervision, and assistance with personal care. A functional assessment is required prior to acceptance for admission.
Nursing homes (or skilled nursing facilities) are health care facilities that offer short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. They provide personal and medical care, as well as meals, housekeeping, and 24-hour supervision. Some have separate Alzheimer’s units. A physician’s referral is required.
Continuing care communities offer all three levels of care within one building or on a campus of buildings. There is often an entrance fee to guarantee care for life.
To learn more, go to www.BoulderCountyHelp.org/, select Seniors & People with Disabilities, then Publications (under Important Information on the right), for the Boulder County Housing Guide; contact the Resource Specialist with your local City Senior Services; or call the Aging & Disabilities Resources Helpline, with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, at 303-441-1617.
~ Emily Cooper, Information and Referral Specialist for Caregiver Programs with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information on BCAAA caregiver services, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org .