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Options For Seniors was founded to be a true advocate
for seniors. We are an insightful, empathetic and progressive referral
and placement service dedicated to helping aging citizens find
the right living alternatives.
Choosing a retirement or extended care home for yourself or a loved
family member is sometimes confusing and always a time-consuming
effort. For this reason, Options For Seniors has provided this
easy-to-follow guide that defines the types of senior housing options.
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are for people 62 and older. These may be subsidized
or be available for reasonable rents. Subsidized rents are based
on a percent (example: 30%) of tenant’s income; others
rents may start from $500. You should ask the senior apartment
community for an application and a rental agreement for the subsidies.
Meals, housekeeping and assisted living services are not offered
in this kind of housing option.
Retirement Communities
Retirement Communities are designed for older adults who are
able to live relatively independently. The major advantages
offered by a retirement community include: meals no maintenance,
upkeep or repairs; independence and privacy with your own apartment
decorated with your furnishings; safe, secure setting; companionship
and readily accessible social and recreational activities.
There is a wide range of services offered by retirement communities.
Many offer varying degrees of assisted living services. Some
are month-to-month rentals, while others charge an entry fee
with an additional monthly maintenance fee. In some communities
you may purchase a town-home or condo. Some offer luxury features
and services such as a health club, swimming pool and formal
dining room. Included in the category or retirement communities
are: Assisted Living, Dementia Specialty Care and Continuing
Care Retirement Communities.
- Assisted Living Communities
Assisted Living Communities target an aging population whose
need for support services is growing as they “age in place”.
This would include more frail elderly who are no longer
able to care for themselves in their own homes, or independent
retirement
community, but are not in need of the medical interventions
provided in a skilled nursing facility. Assisted Living
Communities are
able to provide support services such as medication reminders,
assistance with bathing, dressing, and toileting, special
diets and behavior interventions, while the resident live
in their
own apartments.
- Dementia Specialty Care Communities
Dementia Specialty Care Communities can be a locked part
of a larger retirement assisted living community or stand
alone
as
a locked dementia care community. These communities serve
people with dementia related symptoms such as wandering,
and behavioral
issues that require intensive interaction and supervision
throughout the day. These communities have special amenities
to help residents
with memory loss function at there highest level.
- Continuing
Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC’s) combine
the independence of retirement home living with the security
of nursing home care. The cost of housing services and health
care are spread over a total group thereby minimizing individual
risk of facing unmanageable bills, especially those associated
with nursing care. These communities typically charge an entry
fee with an additional monthly maintenance fee.
- Adult Family Homes
Adult Family Homes are private homes that offer personal
care for up to six residents. Generally residents need
assistance with personal care such as bathing, meals, medication
management,
mobility, and close supervision. Homes are licensed by the
state to meet fire, sanitation, and state DSHS regulations.
Each home is unique, providing a homey, family atmosphere,
home cooked meals and individualized care. Fees on the Eastside
range from $2,800 – 4,500 per month. A few homes accept
state pay clients. Call Options for Seniors for a faxed list
of adult family homes in your area.
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities provide a high level of medical
care for both short term and long term residents. Residents
receive
an in-house physician, skilled nursing staff available 24
hours a day for transitional care, complex medical conditions,
surgical
recovery, respite and stroke rehabilitation. Fees: Medicare
may pay for some short-term nursing home stays, but generally
only Medicaid and private pay cover long term stays. Average
daily costs from private pay patients range from $150 - $250
a day.
Options for Seniors can easily help you with the complex tasks
of assessing, searching and selecting the best possible choice
of living alternatives available. For a complimentary, no obligation
consultation, please contact: Heidi Sheldon, Housing Specialist,
(425) 827-0894.
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