Housing Options for Older Adults

Housing Options for Older Adults

It’s important to learn about housing options for older adults because, for many of us, there comes a time when staying at home, particularly by ourselves, may no longer be the safe option.

Be sure to check out our FAQ page and scroll down to the section titled “Housing, Home Resources” for more information on this topic. Here you will find answers to such questions as: What are the different types of housing for older adults, like nursing home, assisted living, and others? What is assisted living? What is aging in place? What are the differences between assisted living, nursing home care, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities? What programs are available for homeless people? Where can I get assistance with home repair or modifications? Where can I get help with housekeeping? Also on our FAQ page is a section about “Adult Day Care” which may be a suitable option for those who can still manage their own personal care. Adult day care centers are designed to provide care and companionship for older adults who need assistance or supervision during the day.

Topic Quick Links – Click on a topic below to go to that area of the page.

Modifications and Services that Allow Independent Living

There are many modifications that can be made in the residence to make it safer—removing trip and fall hazards, adding grab bars, adding a ramp, widening doorways to accommodate a walker to wheelchair, making sure there is adequate lighting. A home safety checklist can be very helpful.

There are also more and more providers of home services for the elderly. Unfortunately, most of these can be fairly expensive since you normally are paying by the hour or the day. And the level of skill required can also affect price. Having someone come in to clean and cook is different from having someone come in to help with activities of daily living such a bathing, dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed and toileting. Here is a non-profit resource for evaluating services: https://helpguide.org/elder/senior_services_living_home.htm

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

A CCRC is a retirement community that offers multiple levels of care (independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing) on one campus. This can be a good choice for a couple where one person needs more help than the other, but it also can be an expensive choice. Some CCRCs will guarantee placement for the remainder of a person’s life even if the person runs out of money.

With a CCRC, it is important to fully understand the terms of the contract you are signing, what is covered and what services are at additional cost. Several evaluation tools are available online, including a Guide sheet for Evaluating Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Questions to Consider When Evaluating Continuing Care Contracts.

Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities are licensed facilities that provide supportive services while allowing seniors to maintain their independence. Assisted living facilities may vary in the level of care they provide. Type A facilities will accept residents who are able to evacuate the building unassisted in case of emergency. Type B facilities accept residents with more complex medical problems and may include services such as transfer assistance and incontinent care.

Special care facilities are also available for people with varying stages of dementia. These are generally locked units with assistance and activity programming designed for people with dementia. AARP offers an online Assisted Living Facility Evaluation Checklist that you can download and print. You can fill out one for each facility you visit then use that information to help make a decision.

Skilled Care Facilities

Skilled care facilities are licensed facilities that provide therapy services, nursing care and custodial care. Residents may be in a skilled care facility for respite, rehabilitation or long-term care. Skilled care facilities also often have special units for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Ombudsmen

Texas Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Long-term care (LTC) ombudsmen are advocates for resident rights of anybody who lives in a nursing home or an assisted living facility.  Ombudsmen help protect the quality of life and quality of care. If you have concerns about the care of a nursing home or assisted living resident, talk to the LTC ombudsman in your area. Contact the local area agency on aging or call 211.

Find an Ombudsman anywhere in the US.

More Resources

  • SeniorCare.com/assisted-living Strives to serve as the informational resource for assisted living in the United States. Listing information on over 36,300 state-licensed assisted living facilities, explaining the rules and regulations of each state.
  • The Medicare website offers a Nursing Home Compare feature that allows you to search for nursing homes in your area and compare quality information before choosing which facilities to visit in person.
  • http://www.nadsa.org/ – The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) is the only organization that provides a focal point for adult day services at the national level.
  • www.ncoa.org/ – National Council for the Aging’s National Institute of Adult Day Care Centers
  • leadingagetexas.org – LeadingAgeTexas is a trade association representing the full continuum of mission-driven, not-for-profit aging services providers in Texas by rendering up-to-date information, advocacy, education, representation, group services, and networking to aging services professionals to fulfill our promise: Inspire. Serve. Advocate. LeadingAgeTexas was established in 1959 as a Texas not-for-profit corporation. Its purpose is to provide leadership, advocacy, and education for not-for-profit retirement housing and nursing home communities that serve the needs of aging Texans.
  • www.tnpha.org – Texas Non-Profit Hospice Alliance is an organization of independently owned hospices dedicated to providing quality end-of-life hospice care.

Resources for Caregivers

  • Call 2-1-1 throughout Texas for information and access to health and human service information for all ages.
  • Call 800-252-9240 to find local Texas Area Agency on Aging.
  • Call 800-677-1116 – Elder Care Locator service to find help throughout the U.S.

Use resources such as Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Types of assistance provided by AAAs:

  • Information and referral
  • Caregiver education and training
  • Caregiver respite
  • Caregiver support coordination
  • Case management
  • Transportation assistance

Assistance available through AAAs for persons age 60 and older may include:

  • Benefits counseling
  • Ombudsman – advocacy for those who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
  • Home-delivered meals
  • Congregate meals
  • Light housekeeping

Be sure to check out our Resource Directory, FAQ, and Educational Events Calendar for more great information! Permission is granted to duplicate any and all parts of this page to use in education programs supporting family members caring for elders. 

Reviewed January 2023
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We hope this information is helpful to you in the important work you do as a family caregiver.
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