Housign Alternatives for seniors who need little help

 Housing is part of the care continuum for seniors although it is not seen as such. Housing is also one of the biggest monthly expenses seniors have. But until they are faced with a need to move, we seldom consider the most appropriate home settings for our needs.  

One national poll from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, sponsored by AARP, found that 88 percent of Americans ages 50 to 80 wanted to live in their own homes as long as possible. But only 15 percent had given a lot of consideration to the home modifications needed to do so; and just 19 percent expressed confidence they could afford to hire help, whether for chores or for personal care. 

Housing is limited for older people needing financial assistance, so it pays to plan. For those with savings, the broad range of housing options may include some built-in care. 

For those who need little help

1. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Or granny flats, or mother-in-law suites, may be an addition to a family member’s house or a separate home on the property. Their popularity has increased in the past two decades, especially in the most unaffordable housing markets in the country but many municipalities are slow to approve these types of dwellings or the modifications needed.

2. Age-restricted communities.  These work in some areas, and in some jurisdictions, at least 80 percent of the homes in these communities must include one resident age 55 or older, but most set that percentage threshold even higher. These active adult communities often offer swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and other amenities for residents along with child-free living.

3. Senior apartments. These rental units are typically restricted to people 55 and older and may include age-friendly features, such as limited stairs and grab bars. Some housing is subsidized, enabling residents to qualify for a reduced rent. Senior apartments may offer meals in their rental packages.

4. Cohousing. Designed to encourage socializing with neighbors, these communities may be multigenerational and typically feature attached or semidetached single-family homes. Because residents participate in joint activities such as cooking and recreation, cohousing is best suited for older adults who enjoy living close to their neighbors.  

Neighbors typically share the cost of maintaining communal areas, such as gardens, recreational spaces and parking, but not the individual dwellings, However, cohousing is for active seniors who don’t require continual self-care. 

5. House sharing. Boomers are embracing the idea. ray divorce has left many older people single. Sharing a home with friends or strangers helps reduce costs while adding companionship. The arrangement can involve buying or renting a home together, or one person owning the home and the others paying rent.

Housemates can be of similar age or entirely different generations. In fact, taking on a much younger housemate who can provide some caregiving and transportation assistance in exchange for a reduced rent is one way for an older person to continue living in their own home.

From Gated communities to Intergenerational housing where to live after retirement 4

The benefits of intergenerational housing also extend to the rest of the population. These include reduced housing costs for students through housing incentives and reduced caregiver burnout because of the added support network in intergenerational programming and housing initiatives. The latter is important as the Canadian General Social Survey for Caregiving and Care Receiving found that 34% of caregivers for their grandparents felt worried or distressed about their role and responsibilities as primary caregivers.

There are also beneficial effects for younger generations who take part in such programs. For example, children may benefit from improved academic performance, positive perceptions of the elderly, and enhanced skills related to communication and empathy. Intergenerational programming has a positive effect on youth and shows a reduction in feelings of anxiety and an improved sense of self-worth.

Intergenerational housing models should be further explored as a way of addressing older adults’ concerns about housing and social isolation in BC and Canada.

They should implement housing options that promote connections between generations to provide benefits at both an individual and societal level. However, on an individual level, before you jump in and ask your kids or grandkids or those helpful college students down the street to move in, do a little pre-planning. Here are things to consider before you embrace intergenerational housing.

It’s no secret that many older adults struggle to understand the younger generation. Conversely, younger generations rarely understand their elders, either! We all want to believe our way is the best way, and sometimes, that attitude can set the tone for a household. If you are not one to compromise, there may be problems.

There’s no way to sugar-coat it—more people mean less privacy. Sure, you can always lock the door or seek refuge in your den. But your kitchen and living room will probably become high-traffic areas. If the thought of somebody overhearing your private phone calls or invading your bubble while you’re making a sandwich makes you nervous; reconsider Intergenerational housing.

Nobody enjoys doing chores. Most of us balk at the idea of folding laundry or washing dishes. With more people living under the same roof, those pesky household chores will pile up even faster. Suddenly, the amount of clothes you have to fold and dishes you have to wash is doubled! Of course, if everyone pulls their weight, you can take care of those chores in no time. However, some members of the household might not be willing to lend a helping hand.

Sure, your two-bedroom, two-bath home might be perfect for you and your spouse. But add a handful of people to the equation, and suddenly, your dream house is a nightmare. Remodelling or adding another wing to the house can be costly.

There’s a stereotype about older adults being set in their ways, but for some, this might ring true. If you’re bringing extra household members into the fold, there’s a pretty good chance it’ll shake up your routine. Make sure you take into consideration all the lifestyle adjustments you have to make before you invite any permanent guests into your home.

While there are many potential pitfalls of intergenerational housing, it’s important to consider the benefits. Affordability, strong emotional health, and a built-in social support system are just a few of the many perks of intergenerational housing. So, after you consider the cons of this living arrangement, make sure you weigh the pros, too.

From Gated communities to Intergenerational housing where to live after retirement 3

 Several models of housing for older adults exist nationwide, together creating tiers for the delivery of care that can be used based on an individual’s specific needs. In general, these tiers include independent living, assisted living, long-term care, and hospice care, with respite care serving as a temporary option at almost all levels to provide caregiver relief. Independent care options involve minimal professional assistance, while assisted living is suited for older adults who are able to make decisions but require support due to physical and functional health challenges. Long-term care is designated for medically complex patients who require 24-hour nursing care. Hospice care is for patients who are at end of life and require symptom management, and it is one of many palliative care options.

Intergenerational housing facilities could employ a uni or multi-tiered approach to older-adult housing, depending on community needs and available resources. The premise of intergenerational housing is that seniors’ needs are met in a similar way to the housing options mentioned above, with the added opportunity to reside with or among younger individuals who do not require these services.

The BC-based company Happipad is a housing solution that frequently facilitates intergenerational housing. Through its website, Happipad often connects seniors looking for social connections and additional income to younger tenants looking for affordable housing. Purpose-built intergenerational-housing spaces also exist in Canada, such as the newly established Generations facility in Calgary, which integrates assisted, long-term, and palliative care in a multigenerational environment. Similarly, Harbour Landing Village in Regina is a care centre for older adults that promotes personalized care and intergenerational activities. Similar housing schemes are seen worldwide. For example, the Netherlands has housing plans in which students are offered free accommodation provided they spend 30 hours each month with their older-adult housemates. In Fujisawa, Japan, Aoi Care houses elderly people with dementia, and is unique in that its residents decide on their daily activities, frequently choosing to interact with children by playing ball or selling tea made at the centre. Generally, studies show that living and spending time with family, and specifically caring for grandchildren, serve as protective factors against older-adult loneliness, further supporting the concept of intergenerational housing.

Existing intergenerational programs demonstrate an improvement in seniors’ health and well-being, suggesting a similar benefit would be realized through intergenerational housing. One study conducted in Japan noted that older adults who actively participated in an intergenerational program that involved regularly reading to school-age children over an 18-month period reported improved subjective health and social networks compared to controls. A follow-up study based on this program was conducted 7 years later and demonstrated that the control group had higher odds of having decreased intellectual capacity as well as lower levels of interactions with children. Additionally, at follow-up, the intervention group demonstrated higher levels of physical function related to fine motor skills, as measured through functional reach and grip strength. Functional limitations are also a risk factor for loneliness; therefore, intergenerational programs may help address this underlying issue.

Housing Options for Seniors

 A great resource for those who are retiring and are thinking of changing where they live is a resource called the Housing Options for Seniors. This publication was produced by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and written by Holly Robinson, Associate Staff Director at the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. AARP also supported this project by participating in the review process and with printing and distribution support.

What I like about this report is that not only does it review the various options it lists a series of questions to help a person move toward a decision. 

For example, the following questions are for those considering the housing options covered in this booklet, it is important that they ask themselves these general questions:

·        What kind of lifestyle do I want?

§  What will my living conditions be like?

·        How important is my choice of location?

§   How close would I like to be to family and friends, doctors, pharmacies, other medical facilities, shopping, senior centers, religious facilities, and other amenities?

·        Does my current health status require that I look for features that will help me move about more comfortably?

·        How much will the housing option cost?

·        What, if any, in-home support services will I receive for my money?

·        Am I eligible for any publicly funded or subsidized services, such as Medicare or Medicaid?

·        What in-home support services are available now, and in the future, to meet my health and social needs?

·        Have I involved family members and friends in my decision-making, as appropriate?

·        What role will others have in making these decisions?

·        Would it be advisable for me to talk with an attorney so that I understand my rights and any legal concerns?

The booklet also offers resources

Key Resources

■ Eldercare Locator 800.677.1116 www.eldercare.gov

The Eldercare Locator is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community and a free service of the U.S. Administration on Aging.

■ American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging 202.662.8690 www.abanet.org/aging/resources/statemap.shtml

The Commission is dedicated to strengthening and securing the legal rights, dignity, autonomy, quality of life and quality of care of elders

RBC expects Boomers to sell off their homes

The following is from an RBC Wealth Management Research-Insights report on Navigating-The-2020s-How-Canada-Can-Thrive-In-A-Decade-Of-Change

A national challenge: Finding homes for ageing Canadians.

In 2020, 45 percent of Baby Boomers will be 65 and over, with the others joining their ranks over the decade. By age 80, one in ten will be living in a seniors’ residence or nursing home, a number that will jump to one in four by the time they’re 85.

There will be about 650,000 people living in Canadian seniors’ residences or nursing homes in 2030, up from 450,000 now. Public and private resources needed to build the extra capacity will cost at least $140 billion.

The opportunity: One of the defining characteristics of the last decade was worsening housing affordability, both for homeowners and renters. This is likely to persist in the 2020s, especially in Canada’s largest cities, as strong immigration levels drive demand for housing. The steep cost of housing will make more of us renters—up to one million more, by our count. It will also fuel the growth of smaller housing markets beyond the more expensive cities, where younger Canadians have a better shot at buying their first home. The overall homeownership rate in the country is likely to fall from almost 68 percent in 2016 to 64 percent by 2030.

Building for the future

Canada’s aging population will offer an opportunity to address some of the country’s housing challenges. Over the coming decade, we expect Baby Boomers to ‘release’ half a million homes they currently own—the result of the natural shrinking of their ranks, and their shift to rental forms of housing, such as seniors’ homes, for health or lifestyle reasons. 

Downsizing boomers will put even more units on the market.

The homes Baby Boomers put up for sale—often units well suited for families bought decades earlier near urban cores—will be a long-awaited supply for new generations of buyers. If the price of these properties will be hard for first-time homebuyers to swallow (Baby Boomers won’t sell cheap), the turnover will bring opportunities for others to add to, and transform the housing supply. For example, multiple units could be built on a lot previously occupied by one dwelling. Just the kind of gentle increase in density that many see as a key part of the housing affordability solution in 

Canada’s largest cities.

To maximize this transition, though, more progress will be needed to modernize zoning bylaws and other restrictive housing supply policies—complex and emotionally charged issues to say the least. More than anything, this modernization will be critical in the decade ahead for new generations of Canadians to realize the same housing dreams as their Baby Boomer elders did decades ago.

Should I go or should I stay now?

I am a big believer in serendipity so when in three conversations over a few days, I heard about seniors housing I thought there might be some interest in this topic. One of the people I phone as part of the Phone Buddies program I am involved in was talking to me about moving. They were in their mid-80’s and they were thinking of moving into a smaller home or a retirement home. Another person I knew stated that Baby Boomers do not want to move into Retirement living arrangements.

Nine in 10 seniors intend to continue living in their current homes over the next five to 10 years.Leading reasons for wanting to stay in their current homes include liking where they currently live (85 percent), having family and friends nearby (66 percent) and not wanting to deal with the hassle of moving (50 percent).

Finances also play a role in this decision: 26 percent of seniors planning to age in place, say they cannot afford the cost of moving their belongings and more than one in five (23 percent) believe their home would not sell in the current market.

Most groups report high levels of confidence that they will be able to stay in their homes without having to make any significant home modifications (85 percent of respondents aged 60 to 64; 82 percent of respondents aged 65 to 69; 86 percent of respondents aged 70 or older).

Nearly one in five baby boomers aged 60 to 64 (18 percent) believe the housing options available to them are unaffordable.

There are other reasons for wanting to age in place some of them are:

We are retiring later than any other generation and most of us are still in the workforce, making us the workforce’s fastest-growing generation. There are a few reasons why this is happening. Like me, many others retirement plans took a hit from the 2008 financial crisis, some have not saved enough for retirement and others are staying in the workforce because it keeps their mind sharp and days full. According to an AARP survey, 40 percent of Baby Boomers said they plan to “work until I drop.” In Canada 5 million boomers set to turn 65 in the next 10 years, the age of retirement will continue to creep up.

Boomers will live longer because of healthier choices and advancements in technology. From 1950 to 2014, the average life expectancy rose steadily. Men’s life expectancy rose from 65.6 to 71.,1 and women’s rose from 76.1 to 81.1. Higher life expectancies mean more opportunities to be active including working and truly enjoy the later years in life, which is exactly what we are doing.

Many of us who think of retirement homes think of the idea that one size does not fit all, nor does it fit most. When it comes down to the life we want to live, what we want for ourselves isn’t going to be the same as what someone else wants. We are helping to shape the senior living landscape by wanting customizable living options through their housing, amenities or community events. They’re also seeking out living arrangements where it is easier to connect and make friends with the people living in the community.

We see retirement as the time to dive into life’s joys: hobbies, passions and making sure you have the amenities available to pursue those and for most of us that means living at home, not moving to a retirement community.