|
|
Nursing Homes Alternatives
Many individuals with aging relatives assume that the only option is to place their relative in a nursing home, however; the range of housing alternatives for seniors is very broad. Health needs, family relationships, financial situations and community involvement should all play a role in an elderly person's housing choice. So, before you choose a nursing home, make sure you consider the following alternatives:
- Have your elderly relative stay in his/her home
If your relative has minor health needs that can be addressed with a home health care provider, but financial concerns are an issue, consider the following:
- Home Equity Conversion - reverse mortgages and equity lines of credit can be used to pay for an elderly person's expenses while allowing them to remain in their home
- Grants and loans can be used for weatherization and disability adaptation
- Rebates on real estate taxes
- Programs that permit the elderly to delay payment of real estate taxes until after death with the taxes operating as a lien
- Have your elderly relative stay in his/her apartment
There are various public housing programs that may provide financial assistance to your relative. Additionally, many states have statutes that protect senior citizen tenants from eviction when their apartments are converted to coops or condos. Minor healthcare needs can be addressed by a home health care provider.
- Move your elderly relative into your home
There are a variety of tax benefits available to individuals who house and care for elderly relatives. Additionally, your employer may allow you to use your cafeteria plan to pay for adult day care.
- Move your relative into a congregate care complex
These complexes have separate apartments with kitchens. They usually offer some amount of housekeeping and a daily group meal. Personal care and health services are usually not a part of this type of arrangement. Many of these complexes are federally subsidized.
- Find a roommate for your relative
If your relative's housing is reasonably suitable and they need companionship for shoveling the driveway, trips to the mall, help with heavy lifting and someone to call 911 if they fall, then a roommate may be the answer. Roommate listing and resources are often available from local senior organizations.
- Build an accessory apartment into an existing house to either accommodate the senior or for the senior to accommodate a caregiver in exchange for payment
If a house has extensive grounds, a separate structure can be constructed to accommodate the senior. The structure can be built to be easily demolished when the older individual dies or is placed in a nursing home.
- Move your relative into a private residence or facility that provides board and care
Board and care residences provide a room, board and twenty-four hour monitoring. Some residences also provide assistance with daily living and activities. Other names for these residences are "residential care facility", "domiciliary care", "homes for the aged", or "community-based residential facility".
- Move your relative into an Assisted Living Community<br/> Assisted living communities usually provide small private apartments with kitchens and a variety of social and recreational activities. They emphasize independence, autonomy, privacy and the right to make choices.
- Move your relative into a Life Care Facility
A Life Care facility, although difficult to find, is one in which the resident turns over all of their assets or pays a total lifetime fee in advance in exchange for shelter, health care and supportive services for life.
- Move your relative to a Retirement Community.
If finances and health issues are not of primary concern, then a retirement community may be a good option for your relative. They are designed to provide age-group restricted housing and aim towards creating a community of like-minded older individuals with similar income and resource levels. Frequently, a community offers town homes and a management company to handle the lawn and snow. Communities frequently offer a variety of recreational activities including golf, tennis, and swimming.
If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please contact us at 678-593-3000 or email info@ausbandlaw.com.
Return to Main
|