Senior Housing - What are the Options in North Carolina?
Photo by Vlada Karpovich
Time for a change in housing for you or someone you love?
Are there decisions to be made about level of care or shifting financial or social needs? If this is the case, The Orange County Department on Aging’s FREE Options Counseling Program may be of use to you.
Trained Options Counselors can help you plan for changes in living situation or level of care. They can provide information and help you decide what is best for you considering your needs, values, and preferences. They can also make referrals and help you connect with various resources and services. If you are interested in their program, contact the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov.
The United Way of North Carolina also has a program, NC 211, which is an information and referral service that points people towards available resources and support.
As you consider making a change, here are some possible housing scenarios to bring to the table:
Aging in Place - This choice often involves some simple modifications to housing including grab bars, ramps, or moving a bedroom to the ground floor. Many people prefer this option, with the understanding that they may require some in-home assistance at some point. There are lots of personal care workers who are glad to run errands, do some housekeeping and provide some meals.
Move in with the Kids - This can be a real win-win in some circumstances, cutting household budget in half and providing support to working parents who could use a hand. This can be particularly helpful for singles who benefit from the active social environment and business of a household. To succeed, family members will want to lay out clear expectations of bill-sharing, household care and the like.
Share Housing - If moving in with the kids seems daunting, sharing housing costs with a senior housemate can be an excellent alternative. This might avoid some of the more complicated family relationship issues while halving monthly bills.
Independent Living Communities - Known by many names, this type of senior housing generally offers private living space alongside perks that might include on-site amenities like leisure and food and planned excursions and social activities.
Assisted Living - Assisted living offers support for daily tasks of health, hygiene and follow-through with medications. Residents often have a personal living space with communal areas for dining and recreation.
Subsidized Housing - There are several federal and state programs that can help to stabilize or subsidize the rent of seniors, but all of these require some prior planning and expectation of being on a waiting list for some time. Being proactive to get this process in motion will make a huge difference in accessibility.
Life Plan Communities - Retirement communities that incorporate multiple levels of care and support into an overall housing plan come at a high entry price tag, but may be an affordable plan for the long-term cost.
Remember that any major changes to housing will impact your estate. You will want to take a careful look at your current estate plan and understand possible inheritance issues and protection of assets.