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| Saving on caregiver and housing costs, communal living is a real option for the elderly |
Most elderly live on a very fixed income and so seniors are on a constant lookout for ways to save. With the goal of living independently as long as possible and remaining within a strict budget, many seniors are now looking at communal living as an option.
Communal living is an alternative living solution for seniors and the elderly who don’t feel ready for assisted living and don’t relish the apartment type lifestyle of senior residences but can’t afford to remain alone in their own homes any longer.
In a communal living situation
for the elderly, there are usually about four to five people who live together
in a single-family home. The people in
the household share their meals and activities, as well as expenses. The cost of
rent, utilities and food is divided between the all member of the household. Often a home health caregiver is hired by the
group to help with the heavy housework, laundry, transportation needs and
general daily cares that the elderly residents may need.
Communal housing is very cost
effective compared to other living solutions available for the elderly. Depending upon location, rent alone in a
senior housing complex can run up to $3,500 a month, not including caregiver
costs. Living in an assisted living facility can cost over $50,000 a year with
nursing homes costs doubling that figure.
With housing and care costs for the elderly rising annually at 7%,
finding another solution is a necessity for many elderly. In a communal living situation
the financial burden of living expenses is shared, meaning the elderly can
afford to remain independent and in a comfortable family-style home rather than
being forced to down-size to a small apartment or move to an institutionalized
situation. The pooling of expenses allows
the group to afford the extra help needed to run their home by hiring a caregiver
who serves all the residents who live there.
Under the caregiver’s watchful eye, each resident’s health is monitored
and the household is kept organized and running smoothly.
Socially the elderly enjoy living
in a family-like setting. Loneliness and
boredom, which can lead to depression and health concerns, are not an
issue. Rose, in her late 80’s, lives in
a communal housing situation and says, “… here I have people who care like a
family. I couldn’t ask for anything
better.” The residents remain independent and socially active in the community
rather than being isolated to only mature adult interaction, as with most senior
apartment communities.
Finding a communal housing situation that suits an
individual can require a bit of searching, but there are now many nonprofit
organizations, churches and public and private agencies who can help match
elderly homeowners with compatible roommates.
There are even federal rent subsidies available to elderly who
participate in shared residences.
Contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to learn
more.
Of course, communal living is not for all seniors
and elderly. Health concerns, frailty
and cognitive issues often mean that independent living is no longer an option.
Yet for many elderly the sharing their lives and expenses in a communal living
situation is a real possibility.
www.homeaidhealthcare.com
www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com
Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care, which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home. HomeAid is a sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999. Together the two companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly of the Fox Valley in Wisconsin.
Sources:
“Cost of assisted living, nursing home care in
Wisconsin higher than U.S.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. www.jsonline.com.
9/30/13.
“For Older People, Communal
Living has its Rewards” by Michael deCourcy Hinds, New York Times. www.nytimes.com.
8/12/13.
assisted living for mentally ill is the best solution for mentally disabled.
ReplyDeleteChoosing the right Senior Living Community is important because it should satisfy the needs of seniors. Mingling with likeminded people of their age and participating in physical and social activities help reduce loneliness and boredom.On the whole, the place should focus on their overall well being by keeping them happy, comfortable and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteThere are a variety of housing options for seniors and the elderly. Communal living retains independence in a household setting and can be a wonderful option for seniors who are fairly independent and looking for a family atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteAssisted Living is another option and within that option there are a variety of CBRF classifications. Assisted Living or Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) or Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF's) are usually used by people who need assistance with their daily living. These people find it difficult to live on their own without relying heavily on family, friends or a home care agency. People who use Assisted Living Facilities may require medical care in addition to receiving assistance with ADL’s, but they can still maintain some level of independence and do not yet need the level of continuous skilled nursing care found in institutions like nursing homes.
Assisted Living Facilities are licensed and regulated by state guidelines. They are grouped into three classes depending upon the level of care provided. Typically “A” class signifies very little external help with ADL’s whereas “B” and “C” class progress in the amount of care that can be provided. A “C” class assisted living facility is licensed to provide all levels of care including most skilled medical care tasks, which traditionally used to be only managed through nursing homes.
It is important to know which level a CBRF is before moving in. In some cases once a Resident requires more care than a facility offers, they require the person to move.