more options than ever For seniors’ housing
As seniors age and their needs change, it is important for them to be aware of what options they have.
While the oft-repeated stereotype is that seniors get ‘put in a home’ when they get old, the reality today is much different.
Today, there is a greater emphasis on aging in place, and even that is not quite as straightforward as it might sound – it could mean staying in one’s own home, or moving to an assistedliving facility in the same neighbourhood.
“The vast majority of seniors would like to remain living in their own home,” said Ralph Hubele, manager of health and housing options with the Continuing Care Capital Grants program through Alberta Health Services.
Ultimately, what Hubele deems aging in place is to keep seniors in a community where they feel most at home and comfortable, with less emphasis on the actual building itself.
To that end, he said there are several programs out there these days to help seniors stay in their own communities while also getting the assistance they need to live their lives as fully as they ever have.
One example is the village concept, where a of seniors organize themselves to work
to provide services to themtheyselves. They work together to line up such serfacevices as home maintenance, meals and visits,
said, and may also hire an organizer or coordinator to ensure all services are delivered
The village concept has proven popular in U.S., and is currently being researched in
Another option is co-housing, Hubele said. this case, the community is somewhat like a co-operative where you own your own unit. Being part of a co-housing set up means you must abide by certain rules.
“You are expected to participate in the life of the other people in the community,” Hubele said, explaining this means things like providing support to your neighbours or helping them through problems. In addition, once a week residents contribute in one way or another to a community meal.
A third option is a campus-style development. In this housing model, there are different levels of housing available, and residents can progress through the levels as their needs change, Hubele said. For example, if you are fully independent when you move in, but as time passes you need assistance with different tasks, you can move into a service level where staff provide you with the assistance you require.
Beyond the physical locations where seniors can move to as they age, Hubele said there are many technological advances that can help seniors continue to live in their own homes while keeping their friends and families assured of their well-being.
Some examples include medication reminders and monitoring devices that can tell loved ones if the seniors in their lives are moving (alerting them to issues like falls, strokes or heart attacks).
When attendees at the Sept. 23 Seniors’ Housing Forum visit Hubele’s booth, he said he hopes they will walk away with a better understanding of the current state of seniors’ housing in Alberta.
“There is an incredible breadth of stuff that’s happening in the field of seniors’ housing,” he said. “You don’t have to accept things that may not be a good fit for you.”