Articles by  Alice Reiter Feld

SENIOR HOUSING OPTIONS PART I
Staying at Home

As an elder law attorney, I am often called upon to give advice and information on the housing options available to seniors. It was not long ago that housing options were very limited. A nursing home was the only and last step after independent living. Many of my senior clients and their families think of housing options in terms of a nursing home only. Since the picture today is very different, it is important to be educated.

Housing Options: The following housing options are available:

• Home alone or home with assistance

• Independent Living Facilities

• Assisted Living Facilities

• Continuing Care Retirement Communities

• Nursing Home

• Hospice Care 

In this article we will concentrate on Staying at Home. 

Most clients want to continue to live at home as long as possible.  Often with assistance, the stay at home can be extended.  Part of the equation will often be whether the client can afford the services necessary to stay at home. Does the client have adequate funds or long term care insurance? Is the client eligible for Medicaid or Veteran’s Benefits?  Some clients will come to the conclusion that the extra costs, invasion of privacy and/or inability to continue a social life/loneliness may be worse than actually moving into some sort of facility.

In addition to the cost of day-to-day care, there must be a family member or a geriatric care manager who can oversee the care of the client.  There also may need to be modifications to the home such as wheelchair ramps; and special equipment such as hospital beds, walkers or wheelchairs. Sometimes minor changes can make all the difference in the world and can extend the time at home.

The clients and families should be cautioned that at some point in time it may be impossible for the client to continue to stay at home.  This caution gives the family and client a heads up and time to become used to the idea of a facility and to visit and research what is available, avoiding a future crisis.

Some seniors may be eligible for subsidized housing .  Income and asset caps generally apply to these facilities.  Your local Area Agency on Aging can provide you with this information.

Geriatric Care Managers can be invaluable in extending the time a person can stay in their home. GCM’s specialize in helping senior citizens and their families with long term care.  They can make an assessment, develop a plan and stay in touch with the family.  Care managers will visit the senior on a regular basis depending on the needs of the client. Care managers are also in a good position to be the liaison between doctors, hospitals and social workers who are treating the client because of their medical or social work expertise