What is the right living option for you?

Older adults have many living options and honoring their freedom to choose is vitally important to reputable senior housing providers. Living options most frequently offered by PAHSA member communities are:

Independent Living
A private apartment, townhome or single home, within a community of seniors, provides versatility and freedom in a maintenance-free environment.  This is a rental arrangement only with monthly payments covering rent and some utilities, but not personal care services. Housekeeping may be available for an additional fee. Dining services may also be available on a meal plan option or pay-as-you-go. 
Affordable and/or subsidized housing may be available for seniors, such as Bob, who qualify. Bob retired from the Navy as an enlisted man and had some money, but not a lot.  A lifelong Presbyterian, he found a great apartment right on the water, through his church in the Florida community where he retired. The community’s bus takes him to church each Sunday morning.

Assisted Living
An apartment, suite or room for an older adult who needs additional support for daily living. Monthly payments include rent and services with amount determined by the apartment size and the level of care designated. This option provides assistance with such activities as getting dressed, personal hygiene, medications, transportation, meals and housekeeping in an engaging environment with regular social, recreational activities.  Specialized staff and programming designed for those with memory loss may also be available. 

Care Center/Skilled Nursing
Private and semi-private suites with 24-hour nursing care and supportive services.  Care centers are often designed in “household” environments where residents determine their daily schedules, activities and dining preferences.  Whether long-term or short-term care is needed, a care center offers a full array of personal, dietary, therapeutic, social and recreational services. Long-term care costs include rent and the level of care received. State-based medical assistance may be available to cover long-term care expenses for persons who have outlived their financial resources. 
Short-term care often covered by Medicare or private health insurance may be an older adult’s first experience in a senior living community. Linda fell at home and broke her hip.  She was taken to the hospital where she had surgery.  When it came time for discharge, she was discharged for a short-term in-patient stay in a care center for rehabilitation. Her pastor suggested the high-quality Presbyterian rehabilitation center just blocks from the church. Her pastor and church friends were able to visit her regularly.

Life Plan Communities
Offering the options above and more, Life Plan communities (sometimes known as continuum of care communities) are attractive to healthy older adults because of the social environment and programs they provide along with the assurance of higher levels of care when it’s needed without having to relocate outside the community.  An entrance deposit may be required, which can also serve as a financial resource for future needs.

Home and Community Services
Valuable support is available to older adults and their families that can help maintain independence. These include, but are not limited to: in-home health and personal care, therapies, homemaker and companion services, home-delivered meals, hospice, adult day-care, senior activity centers and transportation. Most health-care services are covered by Medicare or private insurance. For persons on limited income, state-based Elderly Waiver programs may be available to funds home- and community-based services for people age 65 and older who are eligible for Medical Assistance and require the level of care provided in a nursing home but choose to reside in the community. These services can help older adults remain in their homes, while those who choose to live in senior independent housing can access these services as an option to higher care housing and services. 

Find a PAHSA community that is right for you. 

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