Exploring Senior Housing Options: Your Guide to Making the Right Decision
Written by Stannah at 25-09-2023
For some people, the best option is to stay in the house they have lived in for several years, while for others, the ideal might be a nursing home or shared accommodation.
The only thing we can be sure of is that the place where we live is crucial for us to truly feel “at home”. That’s why it’s essential to get to know the housing options available today.
In this article, we’ll take a practical look at the various housing options for seniors and how each one can match your lifestyle and needs.
Whether you’re a senior seeking the perfect place for your next life chapter or a family member assisting in this decision, we’re here to provide guidance. Let’s get started!
1. Home adaptations
When exploring housing options for seniors, one crucial aspect to consider is making your current home more age-friendly.
Home adaptations can often be a practical and comfortable choice for those looking to stay in their familiar surroundings.
For example, if getting up and down the stairs in complete safety has become a challenge, you can install certain mobility solutions to help you navigate the stairs safely.
Stairlifts are a mobility solution worth considering, since they allow you to access all the floors of your home freely. Moreover, as they adapt to any staircase and are quickly installed, you won’t need to carry out any extensive building work on your home.
If you’re in a wheelchair, you don’t have to move house or be limited to the ground floor either. Homelifts and platform lifts are an excellent alternative for wheelchair users.
For added comfort and safety, you might also consider:
- Installing brighter lighting
- Replacing slippery rugs with non-slip ones
- Removing furniture that obstructs narrow pathways
- Eliminating architectural barriers at entry points from the street using mobility solutions such as ramps and platform lifts.
2. Independent communities or assisted living residences
Life in independent communities is typically reserved for those aged 55 or older. Assisted living accommodations are tailored to your mobility needs, aiming to reduce accessibility barriers and facilitate more demanding tasks such as garden maintenance.
3. The Village Model
One housing solution for seniors is the so-called “village model”. In addition to staying in their own homes, residents of these places have access to specific programmes and services such as transportation, grocery shopping, or support in carrying out household chores.
Moreover, these villages include members of various age groups and promote a range of activities that involve the entire community, encouraging people to get to know each other and live together peacefully.
4. Home care services
If you find it difficult to carry out some household chores, you can turn to home help services. These services include various types of assistance, from preparing meals, cleaning the house, helping with daily hygiene and even laundry services.
5. Nursing homes
Nursing homes are dedicated to the accommodation and care of elderly individuals who, for various reasons, can no longer live independently in their own homes.
These institutions provide a range of 24-hour services, including lodging, meals, medical assistance, nursing care, and recreational activities, with the aim of creating a safe and comfortable environment for residents.
6. Cohousing
The cohousing concept was born in Denmark in the 1970s and already has around 8% of the population living in these communities. More than just neighbours, the residents of these communities share common spaces, such as kitchens or living rooms.
To enjoy these services, all residents pay a fee which is administered by the residents’ association. This is a way to live independently while also enjoying assistance and companionship.
Factors to consider when looking at the best housing options for seniors
Selecting the best housing option for seniors doesn’t have to be a daunting task. If you plan ahead as much as possible, you can create an action plan that will make you feel more secure. To do this, we recommend considering some factors that we will outline below.
Location and proximity to essential establishments
Proximity to goods and services is essential at every stage of our lives. Having a supermarket or pharmacy close to home can be a great help.
If you live in a more isolated area, consider how you can quickly get around and keep the contact information of someone who can assist you in case of an emergency.
This is especially important for people who may find themselves needing these services more frequently. In fact, many people choose their retirement destinations based on these factors, with some countries consistently ranking high on the best places to retire in the world lists due to their excellent healthcare systems and walkable towns.
Government subsidies and housing support for seniors
Government initiatives play a key role in ensuring that all citizens have access to safe and adequate housing options.
Typically, these programmes include subsidies for home accessibility improvements, such as the installation of ramps, handrails, platform lifts or stair lifts, as well as accessible housing programmes aimed specifically at older seniors.
In most cases, you have to fulfil a number of requirements to access these subsidies, such as having a proven degree of disability.
There are also programmes that facilitate access to public housing or special rental conditions.
The future starts at home
Each housing option has its advantages and challenges, but the most important factor is finding the housing model that best suits your lifestyle and personal goals.
At Stannah, we offer a wide range of mobility solutions designed to help you stay in your own home independently.
Get in touch with us, and one of our mobility experts will be delighted to help you find the solution that best suits you. Living safely and comfortably in the home you love has never been easier.
