A loophole in California’s law means senior citizen housing facilities don’t have to give notice to residents when owners are facing foreclosure, according to a New York Times article. This can cause an undue burden on patients and loved ones, especially those who require the most amount of care.

The article reports about an appalling scene where the Sheriff’s office showed up to execute an eviction notice at a board-and-care home for the elderly and found several bedridden patients and their distressed loved ones still trying to make last-minute transfer arrangements to other facilities. It appeared no one had given them notice.

“We got a call from Adult Protective Services letting us know that the house we were evicting had four or five bedridden residents, and the guy was ignoring the eviction notice,” the Sheriff’s Sergeant recalled. “I couldn’t believe it had gone this far.”

While there’s no way of knowing how many times this scene has played out, the newspaper’s research revealed that over 100 elder-care homes went through foreclosure in the San Francisco Bay Area during the six-month period from October 2009 to April 2010, which may have resulted in the eviction of some 700 residents, many of whom require help with basic daily living activities, and some of whom received no notification.

Transfer trauma refers to the stress experienced, both physically and mentally, by patients who have to be relocated. Research has shown that the severity of transfer trauma varies with the type of transfer, the mental and physical frailty of the patient, and their readiness for relocation.

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), a non-profit organization advocating for quality of life issues of California’s long-term care population, cosponsored legislation that would have required residents be given notice long before evictions could be carried out on unwitting patients and their loved ones. Among other things, the bill called for:

• Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) to give notice to all residents and their loved ones of any foreclosure proceedings as they are initiated.
• RCFE operators to notify the Department of Social Services of certain events that would indicate institutional financial distress, and which could threaten the housing security of the residents. Included events could range from a utility disconnect notice to the initiation of foreclosure proceedings.
• Procedures to protect residents from transfer trauma when their home is being foreclosed.

Although the bill passed both chambers of the state congress, it met its doom at the governor’s desk. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill, citing its creation of “a new unfunded workload” and that it would “redirect scarce resources that are currently dedicated to immediate health and safety issues.”

Family members and friends are the sole caregivers for 70% of elderly people in the U.S. Caregivers are often torn between the responsibilities of raising their own families while taking care of an elderly parent who needs long-term medical care. If you find yourself part of the “sandwich generation” and need assistance, here’s a short list of resources that may offer some help.

• The Family Caregiver Alliance answers many questions about elder care, including tips for caregivers under stress and resources for seniors on a wide variety of topics.
• Meals on Wheels can assist with in-home delivery of hot meals for seniors who have trouble getting around.
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers help with locating senior citizen housing. Their list includes communities that serve the elderly and/or persons with disabilities.
• Alternatives For Seniors is a print and online directory that specifically caters to the housing and care concerns of senior citizens and their families.
• Benefits Checkup can help seniors determine their health benefits and apply for any programs they may qualify for. The site includes access to state, local, and federal benefit plans as well as prescription drug discount clubs and other support services.
• Eldercare Locator is a service of the federal government that can help you find health care providers in your area that specialize in geriatric care.
• Faith in Action brings together people of many faiths to help their neighbors in need. Volunteers shop, cook, drive or just check in on the millions of Americans with long-term health needs.
• The National Association for Home Care & Hospice is the nation’s largest trade association representing the interests and concerns of home care agencies, hospices, and home care aide organizations. They can help you locate a quality provider of long-term care in your area.
• ARCH National Respite Network can help caregivers in need of respite care connect with local resources. When you are responsible for taking care of a loved one, it’s easy to forget you also need to take care of yourself.

More links and resources on everything from housing and meals to health care and Social Security benefits can be found here.

The Golden Years, the years after retirement, are sometimes considered the slower years of one’s life. These blogs will prove that even those past retirement age can participate in many fitness classes, games, and social activities; showing that senior citizens do not have to slow down or stop feeling young at heart just because they are older. Many of the activities are geared towards those that still live independently in their own homes, but there are a small number of articles discussing how to stay active once an older adult is placed in a residential care facility.

Besides physical activity, it is also important to continue to work one’s cognitive and social aspects of the body as well. Memory games, puzzles, board games are a few ways to continue exercising one’s mind. Dating, bingo, and teams sport are healthy ways to continue social interaction well into one’s later years.

1. Love to Know: Lists activities for seniors that are independent and can do activities on their own, and also a small list of activities for those seniors in nursing homes.
2. Excellent Senior Activities: A comprehensive list of activities for social seniors who like to do group activities.
3. Seniors-site: Activities for those seniors that are in nursing homes and cannot get outdoors.
4. Seniorark:  A site with a list of 57 hobbies that a senior can do and may enjoy, including indoor and outdoor activities.
5. Suddenly Senior: A funny site with jokes, cartoons, and games that seniors may enjoy. Also provides activities and hobbies for the young minded.
6. Boomers With Parents: Geared towards adult children and how to create activities for your elderly parents to keep them fit and active.
7. Aging: Article for adult children with parents that have dementia, and gives ideas that they can still do together.
8. Keep Seniors Active: Provides information that is in a report that family members can purchase about recreational activities that a senior can do.
9. 9.  Scum Doctor: Site focusing on cognitive activities for the senior, and how to keep mind active and busy.
10. NASA Squirrel: An organization that provides assistance to the elderly that would like to participate in outdoor activities.
11. Music Outreach: A site with free (printable) resources for musical outreach tot he elderly. Designed by monthly activities that one can do with a senior.
12. Parent Giving: For adult children who want to keep their elderly parents from getting depressed or melancholy by giving them activities to do.
13. Senior Kaboodle: Help your aging parents feel independent and keep enjoying life well beyond retirement age.
14. Today’s Senior Magazine: Fun games for the active senior, involves board games, bingo, and other fun ways to be social.
15. Ask Mike : Brain games to keep the aging mind young and fresh, geared towards the older mind.
16. Health Boards: A forum discussing old age and activities that seniors can do, focuses on what family members can do to assist their older relative in staying active.
17. Help Guide: Article about senior citizens using fitness to gain energy and feel stronger. Examples of exercises and stretches for the older adult.
18. Canville: Starting a hobby in older age can increase your happiness, add years to your life and make the retirement age more enjoyable. Written by a geriatric social worker who has years of experience working with older adults.
19. Mabels: an interesting article about senior citizens starting new hobbies. From a UK perspective.
20. Recreation Therapy iscussion by a Certified Recreation Therapist about the importance of leisure and recreation in the older population.
21. Wilderdom: A website with many different group physical activities that can be  and all can be modified for seniors to do as well.
22. Baby Boomers Planning for Retirement:Retirement travel should be planned before you are retired, so you can save for it and plan well.
23. Community College Review: College courses for senior citizens are a great way for retired adults to spend time and keep their minds young and active.
24. Get Mom Moving: a site dedicated to getting older adults to become more physically active in their older years.
25. Vickstrom Law: An elder law attorney discusses the importance of senior care centers and elders having a strong social group.
26. London Ancestor: An article written in the UK about dating over the age of 50:how, when, and where to do it.
27. Senior Dating: An organization created just for senior dating with tips, news, and places to visit.
28. Senior Journal: discusses sexuality in the senior citizen, and the healthy benefits of a continued intimate relationship.
29. Senior Citizens Guide: Discusses how sex after 60 is a natural part of life and how         beneficial it is to staying active and feeling young.
30. ABC of Yoga: Discusses yoga for the elderly. Many recreation centers and yoga ashrams are offering classes for senior citizens; can help arthritic bones, agility and overall health.
31. Ask Yogi Marlon: A site that shows various yoga videos for seniors, led by a certified yoga instructor.
32. Yogawiz: Yoga for seniors focuses on keeping fit and relaxation, with a focus on preventing symptoms of chronic illness (i.e., diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, etc).
33. Heartflex: This workout device and video show how to improve heart health, which increases a senior’s independence and ability to live alone.
34. Eldertreks: A website that plans trips for senior citizens, ranges from safaris to backpacking.
35. Retirement Online: How to make retirement fun: volunteering, working, traveling or spending time with family.
36. Retirement  Jobs: Jobs that can not only add to your retirement income, but they are fun too.
37. Grandloving: Have fun with your grandchildren: this website has games, activities and trips that a grandparent can do with their grandchildren.
38. Grandcrazy: Grandparents are supposed to spoil their grandkids, and this website has fun and crazy ways to do it!
39. Experts Town: Golf is a favorite past time for many senior citizens, and this article discusses how to make golf enjoyable throughout old age.
40. Grandma Betty: A great site with compiled lists of fun things older adults can do: exercise, word games, hobbies and trips.
41. Pruneville: A funny site with jokes, games, and stories geared towards senior citizens and their caregivers.
42. Memory Jogging Puzzles: Memory jogging games for those elders that have memory loss issues. Geared towards art from their generations, with art they grew up with.
43. Buffalo Gamebuffs: An article discussing the benefits of board games in prevention of Alzheimer’s and memory loss symptoms.
44. Senior Resource: An informative website with financial, housing, and retirement options for senior citizens.
45. Stay Young: English article about working out safely at home into well into old age.
46. Greenway:A website with a list of books, videos, and websites seniors can use to learn strength building exercises and cardio activities.
47. Life Alert: Eating well as age. A registered dietician discusses how nutrition can help older adults feel better, stay healthy, and live longer.

Image Credits: woodleywonderworks

Deciding when to put your loved one in assisted living can be a very difficult decision. Making the transition smooth for everyone is something you need to try to do. There are sites out there to help you find the best home and also learn the signs of when it might be time to bring outside help in. You have several options like letting them live with you but having help come in or simply moving them somewhere they are safe. Knowing that your loved one is beyond your help is very hard to deal with but you can find help. Take a look at this list of articles on knowing the signs and finding the best place.

1. 10 Signs Your Parents Need Some Assisted Living: Learn ten signs that may indicate your parents are in need of some assisted living help.
2. What to Look For in a Home: A few important things you need to look for when you think your parents or loved one is in need of assisted living.
3. When to Consider Assisted Living: Learn what the signs are for when you need to consider assisted living.
4. 10 Signs Assistance May be Needed: If you are seeing these signs you may want to consider getting some help.
5. Tips for Choosing and Making the Transition: Getting assisted living help can be overwhelming for you and your loved one. Learn here how to choose the right facility and also smooth the transition for you all.
6. Questions: Find the answer to many questions you may have about assisted living facilities here.
7. Assisted Living Tips: Find tips on knowing the type of care your loved one needs as well as choosing the right home and help.
8. One Family’s Story: Read one family’s story of choosing their loved ones assisted living facility.
9. 10 Tips for Choosing a Facility: If it is time for a loved one to go into assisted living, use these tips to help you both choose the right facility.
10. Choosing a Community: Find help here on choosing the right community for yourself or your loved one who may be in need of assisted living.
11. jenn@spindlepub.com
12. Five Tips for Choosing a Facility: Choosing a facility can be an overwhelming task. Here are a few tips to help you and your loved one make the right decision.
13. 4 Ways to Make a Smooth Transition: Moving in can be upsetting for some loved ones so here are a few ways to make that transition smooth and comfortable for everyone involved.
14. When is it Time?: One article discusses the signs and knowing when it is better to allow your loved one to go to an assisted living center.
15. Tips to Choosing When to Go: Get help here in finding your facility and knowing when it is time to choose assisted living.
16. 5 Signs Your Loved Ones May Need Assisted Living: Learn the signs to watch for to see if your loved one may need to have some assistance.
17. 10 Tips For A Smooth Transition: Discover ten tips that will help you and your loved one to have a smooth transition into assisted living.
18. Tips for Smoothing a Transition: While the need for assisted living may be there, you also need to know how to make it smooth for your loved one to move. It can be overwhelming for them and they can be very upset. Learn how to soothe their worries.
19. Tips for Tours: Try these tips out when you are looking into homes and facilities. Take this list with you to know what to look for and questions to ask.
20. Checklists for You: Find here a checklist to help start the conversation with your loved one about assisted living. Also find help on knowing what to look for in a home when you are on a tour.
21. How to Tell if Your Parents Are Ready: If you have been worried about your parents care, try looking at this article. They will help you to know when you parents may be ready for some help.
22. Tips for Searching: Discover tips to help you search for the right home for all of you here.
23. Tips for When You Visit a Home: Take this list with you and watch for these things as you are touring the possible facility. This will help you to know the things to watch for to make sure this would be a great fit for your family.
24. Tips for Moving Reluctant Parents: Although you know they need to, sometimes parents are still reluctant to move to assisted living. Learn here how to help them make that transition smoothly.
25. Tips for Finding Quality Care: You want to be comfortable with wherever you choose to move your parents or loved ones. Here are tips on choosing quality assisted living care.
26. Are You Ready?: Find a few tips on knowing when you or your loved one may be ready to move into assisted living.
27. Help Choosing a Facility: Choosing the right facility can be a hard decision. Here are a few tips in knowing what to look for when you are picking your assisted living home.
28. Tips for Choosing a Facility: Look here to find tips and hints on picking the right facility for your loved one.
29. Choosing a Residence: Are you an active senior? Learn here how to choose the facility best suited to fit your needs.
30. How to Choose a Facility: Read this article on choosing a great facility to meet yours or your loved ones needs.
31. Choosing a Facility and What Assisted Living Means: Find out what assisted living generally includes and how to best choose the facility for you and your loved ones.
32. Noticing the Small Stuff: Paying attention to the small stuff going on in a facility when you visit can help you to make the right decision and possibly avoid a less than perfect home for you.
33. How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility: If your loved one is ready for an assisted living community, search here for great tips on how to choose the right one.
34. Choosing a Facility in the Desert: Get information here on how to choose a facility and also on what to do with your home and more at this site.
35. Choosing a ALF in Florida: Here are a few great tips on what to look for when you are choosing an assisted living facility in Florida.
36. Determining the Facility You Need: Get help here on determining what type of facility your loved one may need.
37. Sedona Area In Home Services: Sometimes you can just have someone visit your aging parent or loved one in their own home. Read here to see some of the services most of these places offer.
38. Nursing Home VS. Assisted Living: Learn the differences between the two and which one would be right for your situation.
39. Choosing Long Term Care: Making this decision is very difficult. Get tips here on how to handle choosing a facility and choosing the right one.
40. Respite Care: Sometimes you just need a break from taking care of your loved one. If a facility is out of the question, try using respite care to help you take care of them.
41. Nursing Homes: Read this informative article on nursing homes. If you are looking into choosing one of these type homes read this first.
42. Options for Home Care: Here are a few options one company offers for home care. Sometimes keeping your loved one in their own home is the best choice.
43. Support: Find out what different types of care are out there. Get the definitions on what certain types of care are.
44. Testimonials: Hear from others who have made the choice to use assisted living facilities for their families.
45. Assisted Living Online: Use this site to help you find the right home for your loved one.

Image Credits: *clairity*

As people enter their golden years, their housing needs change. For many, the family home is too large and difficult to maintain now that the children have left. There are a number of housing options for the next chapter in life. Some will wish to move to an active retirement community in a favorable climate. Others will downsize to an apartment and remain in their community close to family and friends. Many low-income senior citizen complexes have amenities that suit most lifestyles and interests. For those who wish to remain in their home, reverse mortgages and universal design options make that possible.

1. Senior Housing News: A list of predictions for senior citizen housing trends for 2010. These prophecies relate to the housing and financial markets, the “green” movement and alternative housing options.
2. SNAPforSeniors® Senior Housing Blogs: These blog posts cover a broad range of housing issues such as affordable housing, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and retirement homes.
3. Real Sage Advice: A real estate agent gives tips on finding the right senior housing, assisted living community and types of senior housing in Minnesota.
4. Steve’s Senior Care Blog: Experts discuss the senior citizen housing industry in separate blog posts.
5. SOCal Office Real Estate Blog: A blog post about how Baby Boomers are changing the senior housing market.
6. Gray Matters: Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages are explained.
7. Senior Living Information Blog, Chicago Assisted Living, Resources and More…: Plenty of general information about assisted living.
8. Aging-In-Place: Special Home Products Getting More Practical, Accessible: Article about products that make it easier for the aging and disabled to remain in their homes.
9. Everyone is Aging Blog: Various articles about choosing and living in retirement communities.
10. Retirement Your Way – Co-housing May Be Your Answer: The forms co-housing can take.
11. Moving Day into the Wesley Homes  Lea Hill Brownstone Apartments: How the SASH program enabled a senior couple to move from their home into an apartment.
12. Low Income Senior Housing: An explanation of the target population, the benefits and how to locate this type of housing.
13. New Reverse Mortgage Limits Help More Seniors Stay in Their Homes: The stimulus bill raises the reverse mortgage ceiling to $625,500.
14. Retirement and the Housing Bubble: How to Reshape Your Plan: The decline in the housing market means seniors may not be able to sell their home and retire elsewhere. Remodeling using universal design options will allow them to retire in their own homes.
15. Five Creative Uses for Aging-in-Place Design: These five modifications are aesthetically pleasing and functional.
16. Medcottage Unveiled: “Granny Pod” Nursing Home for Your Backyard: An alternative to living in a nursing home.
17. Reverse Mortgages Part One: Digging Beneath the Surface: The basics of how reverse mortgages work.
18. Finding Comfort in Support Groups at Active Adult Communities: In addition to social and recreational activities, adult communities offer support groups for the seniors living there.
19. Green Seniors/Small Homes: Don’s Desert Villa: Senior citizen living in a fifth wheel in the desert.
20. Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #19: Details the progress of a senior housing building on the Weinberg Campus.
21. Wilson Yard: Details About Housing & Retail: Descriptions of the Chicago apartment units and the eligibility requirements.
22. Two Affordable Housing Developments Open in Chicago’s North Side: Details of the Wilson Yard project that includes two apartment units, retail space and a Target store.
23. La Vida VIDA: New Affordable Senior Housing in Brightwood: This affordable housing for DC seniors will provide many needed services to its residents.
24. Congressman Tierney, Bridgewell Announce More Than $1.7 Million to Build Housing for Local Seniors and Disabled Adults: Affordable housing will be built in Lynn, MA to allow disabled and senior citizens to live independently.
25. Senior Low Income Housing: Names and descriptions of various low-income housing complexes.
26. Low-income Senior Housing Planned: The Birches at Fishkill, a 72 unit complex, will offer many extras. A library, game room, theater and athletic trainers are a few of the proposed amenities.
27. A New Idea In Fair Haven: Senior Housing: A developer in Fair Haven, NJ is working to convince borough leaders to approve changes to zoning to accommodate ten cottages intended as senior housing.
28. Top Four Reasons To Move to an Independent Living Facility: Social opportunities, activities, security and assistance are the reasons explored.
29. New Counseling Procedures Released For Reverse Mortgages: Details of the recent HUD procedures are explained.
30. Villages Offer Elderly With Independent Living Option: Villages providing many of the same services as assisted living communities allow seniors to remain at home.
31. I Found the Perfect Place for Mom and Dad – Now What?: Advice on how to handle the details of selling their home, handling their many possessions and providing the necessary documents required by most care communities.
32. New Lifestyles Announces New Clients for June 2010: New communities and service providers are featured in the New LifeStyles free senior housing and care guide.
33. State-of-the-Art, Affordable Senior Housing to Open in Pilsen: Casa Maravilla, a 72 unit building in Chicago, will open soon. It is conveniently located close to a medical center.
34. Senior Housing Guidelines Are Approved – With Nary a Whimper! New Dynamic on the City Council?: A brief description of the Guidelines and the concerns raised at the Council meeting.
35. Senior Housing News from Senior Living Guide and www.seniorlivingingguide.com: Print and online directories with information on relevant senior issues including housing, retirement and assisted living communities.
36. Purpose-driven communities: A novel concept of treating aging seniors as community resources by encouraging their involvement in understaffed community projects.
37. The Senior Housing Industry Today: In spite of a poor economy the future is not so dismal for the senior housing industry.
38. Saving Section 202: Protecting Affordable Senior Housing Options: An article detailing why congress should be encouraged to support a bill that will preserve assisted housing.
39. The Search For Senior Housing: The Top Six Questions to Ask: Answers to these questions will ensure the prospective resident is happy, safe and well cared for.
40. Senior Living Options: Now Easy to Choose: The many options for today’s senior makes finding the right living situation easier than in the past.
41. Seniors in Rural Communities – Return on Investment: Senior citizens are vital to the economy of rural areas and investing in senior housing is the best way to keep them there.
42. Housing Options For The Retirement Years: Links to retirement communities in the US and foreign countries.
43. Quinn Signs Nursing Home Reforms: The Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, enacted legislation to further ensure the safety of senior citizens.
44. Questions to Ask Potential Nursing-Home Facilities: An extensive list of questions for staff, residents and their family members to evaluate the level of care provided.
45. Costs Rise Slower for In-home Care Than Nursing Homes or Assisted Living: Results of Genworth’s Cost of Care Survery.
46. Moving Back to Campus in Retirement: Profiling the popularity of university centered retirement communities.
47. Active Retirement Communities: The requirements and benefits of living in a retirement community.

Image Credits: Mark Warner

Choosing the right senior citizen housing for you or a loved one can be a confusing decision. There are many types of housing facilities to choose from and if you are not an informed consumer, you may make the wrong choice. Finding housing involves different steps, such as matching your physical needs to the best housing environment. From assisted living facilities to rest homes with round-the-clock care, there is sure to be housing that will meet your needs, physically and financially.

The following articles will assist you in what you should look for in a housing facility, information on particular housing areas, and tips and advice on finding the best home for your needs.

1. Senior Housing Choices: Start Talking Now – Discussion about senior housing with a list of questions to ask.
2. Senior Citizen Retirement – Informative article about preparation for retirement, including information about housing and what you need to ask before making a choice.
3. Granny in a Box – Article about recent low-cost alternatives for senior housing.
4. Senior Citizen Housing – Information about finding the right senior citizen housing.
5. How to Find the Best Senior Living Community – Informative article with tips on finding a senior living community.
6. Senior Housing News – Helpful information on current senior housing issues.
7. Real Sage Advice – Discussion of senior citizen housing trends.
8. Financial Web – Information about three kinds of senior living apartments.
9. Helping a Senior Citizen Downsize – Information about preparing for a move to a smaller home, such as an assisted-living facility.
10. Provision Living – Details of funding available to help with housing costs at a particular assisted-living facility. Includes information about the facility.
11. Affordable Apartment Living for Seniors – Informative article on finding affordable apartments for senior citizens.
12. Assisted Living: Oasis or Mirage? – Information about the pros and cons of assisted living facilities.
13. Living Assistance for Seniors – Brief discussion of a living assistance program for seniors with or without disabilities
14. Aging in a Communal Place – Discussion of the benefits of senior citizen co-housing.
15. A Time for Giving Thanks – Discussion of gratitude and how gratitude expressions tie in with better independent living as a senior.
16. Discussing Housing Options with Your Senior Citizen Parent – Informative article on how and why to approach housing options with an aging parent.
17. Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens – Details about the types of housing available for seniors and how to find it.
18. Senior Citizen Housing – Information on finding housing and what to look for in the ideal setting.
19. Senior Housing Communities – Several informative articles on senior housing communities detailing benefits of each.
20. Senior Housing Market is Changing – Details about the changes taking place in the senior housing market.
21. Senior Living Facilities – Details about the benefits of a senior living facility.
22. How to Select a Nursing or Assisted Living Home – Informative article with tips on choosing the right nursing home or assisted living home.
23. Subsidized Housing Options for Seniors – Explanation of subsidized housing options and how it can help seniors to find a home.
24. Checklist for Senior Housing Facilities – Helpful list of things to look for in a senior housing facility.
25. How to Choose the Best Nursing Home – Informative article on choosing the best nursing home and the benefits of a non-profit nursing home.
26. What Your Assisted Living Facility May Not Tell You – Information about things that an assisted living facility may not reveal to you.
27. How to Choose a Senior Assisted Living Community – Helpful information and tips on choosing the best assisted living home.
28. Five Tips for Choosing an Assisted Living Facility – Tips on choosing the right assisted living facility for seniors.
29. What Activities Can You Expect from an Assisted Living Facility? – Information about the kinds of activities you can look for in an assisted living home.
30. Choosing an Assisted Living Facility in the Desert – Discussion of living in the desert and making the choice easier.
31. How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility – Helpful information on what to look for in an assisted living facility and making the right choice.
32. Choosing a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility – Information on making the choice between a nursing home and an assisted living facility.
33. Nursing Homes – Article detailing the benefits of a nursing home.
34. How to Pick an Assisted Living Home – Information on assisted living facilities and how to choose one.
35. Qualities to Look for in Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities – Information on things to look for in a nursing home or an assisted living home.
36. Senior Housing Trends for Next Ten Years – Informative article discussing senior housing trends to come, useful for future planning.
37. Changing Aging – Information about a form of new senior housing called the MED cottage.
38. Search for Senior Housing – Information about the top six questions to ask when looking for senior housing.
39. Assisted Living for Individuals with Alzheimer’s – Information on finding housing for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
40. Senior Housing Solutions – Information on senior housing, including six questions that need to be asked to protect the elderly.
41. Housing Options for Older Adults – Information on some of the housing options for seniors.
42. Facility Maintenance for Assisted Living – The importance of making sure an assisted living facility is properly maintained, including things to look for.
43. Independent Living vs. Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes – An informative comparison of the three types of senior housing.
44. How to Choose a Nursing Home for Your Loved One – Helpful tips and information to help you choose the best nursing home for a loved one.
45. The Psychological Importance of Nursing Home Activities – Helpful information when choosing a nursing home about the importance of activities.

When evaluating the different possible living arrangements for senior citizens, many people don’t realize that there are apartments available for those with physical limitations. The majority of elderly individuals with some sort of physical disability can still live very independently if they are placed in a suitable environment. Before considering an assisted living facility or nursing home, it is often worthwhile to check out apartments designed for those with physical limitations.

Wheelchair accessible apartments don’t need to be anything fancy, but they do need to be on the ground level and have wider doorways. In addition, many apartments that are designed to accommodate an individual confined to a wheelchair have significantly lower counter tops, sinks, and bathroom facilities. The tubs must be easy to enter and exit as well. Many people can still maintain a normal lifestyle if their apartment will allow them too. If the apartment is in a building and not on the ground floor, an elevator is a mandatory feature.

Many senior citizens are left with physical disabilities after a stroke or other illness. While occupational therapy and physical therapy can help patients learn how to deal with their limitations, many of the affected are still confined to assisted living facilities because they don’t realize there are apartments available. Depending on the nature of the limitation, there are plenty of arrangements that can be made to be accommodating for almost any need. While mental limitations are tough to plan for, physical limitations can be remedied and even lessened as therapy continues. In fact, some physical limitations may even be temporary and be solved at some point in time.

The majority of apartments designed for those with physical limitations are located in areas where staff are close by if needed. In fact, some assisted living and retirement communities even have such apartments available. While the caregivers may not be able to supervise normal activities, there are plenty of staff that can often stop by to check on the residents. Some communities even have a cafeteria where the residents can opt to eat their meals there or choose to prepare their own in their kitchen.

While the actual apartment itself is important in the features that it contains, more critical is the support network that is available in the area. Family and friends living in close proximity is one necessary component, but a nearby source of caregivers can be a suitable replacement. Many communities offer a wide variety of services, but for those that don’t it is also possible to contract with a home health care agency that also provides non-medical care. Having an aide come by the residence at various times can help prepare meals, keep the apartment clean, and help with other errands and difficult tasks when needed.

Nobody wants to lose their independence due to their physical limitations, but the good news is that there are other living arrangements possible and a disability does not always mean assisted living facilities or nursing homes are necessary. A person needs to be brutally honest with what their limits are and aren’t and be very selective when looking for an apartment. Transportation is often an issue for people with physical limitations, so it’s not a bad idea to select a community that is either close to public transit or possesses some type of shuttle van or service. Normal apartment complexes may have several units that are considered handicap accessible, but the ease of living also has to be taken into consideration. Tenants should be very choosy and keep looking until they find an apartment that will meet and exceed their expectations.

Senior housing is available in countless options of design and function. The prices of a senior housing option can vary greatly depending upon the amenities of the residence or community, the luxury of services provided and the extent to which personal healthcare assistance is administered. There has been an influx in the development of senior housing options geared towards the more active senior, many of which include recreational facilities either on-site or nearby. For seniors in need of ongoing supervision for medical and hospitality reasons, care may be limited to a smaller range of venues, though the luxury of such residences can still exceed that of many family homes.

Senior citizens who require assisted living conditions are generally going to pay a premium for their residence, relative to those seniors who are capable of living independently. Paying a medical staff which makes rounds for the dispensing of medications and implementation of therapies is a costly requirement for any senior citizen housing community. The degree to which a senior might need assistance will probably play a role in the price they are assigned at a senior home. Around the clock medical attention is a more costly venture than periodic checks for medication and hygienic reasons.

Senior homes that offer recreational facilities such as golf courses and swimming pools are often at the top of the price point for homes with independent living seniors. Whereas a senior community with free-standing residences but no medical care may be less expensive than smaller accommodations with around the clock residential care, gated senior communities often exceed the cost in living of nursing home facilities. The cost of maintenance and upkeep of any grounds on which the allotment may sit all contributes to the cost of living in a senior home in a gated recreational community. The cost of a senior home in a separate community ranges greatly depending upon not only the facilities available, but the quality of those facilities relative to others in the area.

Though the many options for a senior home have a significant impact on prices within the market of senior living arrangements, the region in which a senior home is located will always contribute to its price point. Popular warm-weather destinations with access to big cities or entertainment venues are generally more expensive than senior homes in smaller, more rural regions. Warm weather is extremely popular for seniors who have spent the majority of their life residing in a cold climate city, thus generating a competitive market for residence in luxurious warm-weather senior home communities.

One of the most important decisions that you can make is which care center for your loved one. Making the choice to put your loved one in a care center is one that will require lots of time and consideration, and you need to spend a similar amount of time figuring out exactly which one to go with. What things should you consider when making that choice? It all comes down to comfort and figuring out exactly what your loved one needs the most. If you can identify those things, you can choose a place that will provide a high level of service.

Get a feel for the level of service
The most important thing is for your loved one to have his or her medical needs met. Whether that means getting the right medicine or having the right treatment, it’s important that the care center is able to provide on this level. All of the extras and the comfort in the world won’t mean a lot if the level of medical service is not top notch. Get information on what the center has to offer in terms of medical provision. In addition to just getting information, spend some time talking to families around the center. That will give you a good idea of what to expect.

A caring environment
When you are choosing the best care center, you need to find a nurturing environment. The fact of the matter is that some facilities are better than others at this. Some of them will provide a place where your loved one will be the center of attention. Other centers will be impersonal and they will not make your loved one feel welcome. This matters in a big way, because a nurturing environment will help to keep your loved one healthy and happy. Studies have shown that a happy, supportive environment can help individuals who are fighting off diseases, so keep this in mind when making the choice.

Gauging the activities
You should choose a place where your loved one is going to have an opportunity to get out and about. Nursing homes and care centers can be depressing places if there are no activities going on. What you need to look for is a place where your loved ones can develop relationships and be active in their own community. Whether this means getting outside and participating or attending any sort of organized event that is going on, it’s important that an effort is made. Some care centers will go the extra mile and plan lots of things every day that people can choose to take advantage of. Though your loved one probably won’t want to do things every day, they should at least have that option at their disposal.

Understanding your own access
It is important that you are able to have access to your loved one whenever you feel like it. Depending upon the type of care center, this might not be possible. If you look around hard enough, you can find a place where there is a lot of freedom in this regard. It can be difficult making that choice to send your love one to a dedicated center, but being able to freely come and visit will make it much easier on everyone. You will be amazed at how much it will lift your own spirits and the attitude of your loved one when you come in for a visit. Find a center that not only allows this, but encourages it.

In all, there are some excellent centers out there where your loved one can be taken care of and where they can be happy. Finding one requires an element of due diligence on your part, however.

Growing old together is the dream of most married couples. When spouses begin to need the support and additional care as they age, this dream is still paramount. In cases where one spouse’s health begins to decline, the extra care-taking responsibilities land on the shoulders of the other. It’s not an ideal situation for health, safety or just as importantly, enjoying life.

Many nursing homes, senior condo and assisted living communities are geared to address the needs so husbands and wives can continue to live their married lives together. In these senior living communities, couples account for almost 25 percent of the resident population.

The goal of many of these communities is to embrace and support couples as they age. Couples are encouraged to bring personal belongings, furniture and memorabilia to their new residences in order to create a new home together. Daily activities which couples enjoyed over the course of their marriages can continue be nurtured in the senior living setting. Dining, watching TV, worshiping, playing cards and visiting with friends and family can still be done together. Since medical care and other services are provided, plenty of time is left to explore new activities, individually or as a couple — tai chi, dance classes, art instruction or book clubs. Activities directors often organize events on and off campus especially for couples. Sweetheart dinner dances, romantic forays to local plays and trivia games geared to test how well you really know your partner are popular events that inspire laughter and bring back sweet memories of all the times the two of you have enjoyed together.

As we age, the reality may mean that one member of the couple will need hospitalization or rehabilitation. In some cases, these facilities are on the same campus. If a spouse needs rehabilitation following a health issue, for example, the other spouse can remain in their condo, apartment, or assisted living suite. This makes visiting easy so they can still see each other daily and maintain their loving commitments. If these facilities are not on the same campus, appropriate transportation can also be arranged to make daily visits worry-free.

Marriage is a commitment that inherently brings comfort and joy to seniors. It only makes sense to provide opportunities for accommodating marriage at senior living communities. It leads to a longer, livelier, happier retirement.