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"That question often arises after a face-to-face visit with an agingparent or even grandparents," said Eve Stern, RN, MS, president ofSNAPforSeniors, which has developed the nation's most current andcomprehensive, online nationwide database and search tool of the 65,000+ U.S.senior housing facilities across all license types. "Maybe Mom is showingsigns of physical deterioration -- like weight loss or difficulty gettingaround the house. Or maybe Dad isn't making the best decisions these days --or isn't safe behind the wheel any more. Senior housing is a question youshould explore together."
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Stern emphasized that the search for senior housing shouldn't be dreaded,but rather researched to find the best fit. For many Americans, the conceptof senior housing is limited to just nursing homes.
"There are a wide range of options to explore," she said. "Depending onthe level and type of care needed each day, an older person can benefit fromhome health providers who come into the home to impressive assisted livingcommunities that facilitate greater supervision, social stimulation andservices all under one roof. If 24-hour care is needed, then nursing homes maybe an appropriate solution. For seniors who don't need routine care but wantto enjoy an active lifestyle with peers, there are a number of very attractiveretirement communities with full amenity packages or Continuing CareRetirement Communities (CCRCs) where individuals can age in place as physicalneeds change over time."
The need for senior housing is on the rise. It is estimated that onemillion Americans move into senior housing each year(1) and the demand isgrowing as baby boomers enter retirement. Between now and 2015, the U.S.Census Bureau projects the over-65 population to increase by almost 28percent, while the total U.S. population increases by just 9 percent.(2)
The search for senior housing is no longer a "neighborhood search" oflocal, well-known facilities, and new options spring up all the time. Seniorsoften need housing in locations far away from the caregiver or adult child whohas assumed responsibility for the senior's well being.
And adult children of aging parents frequently find themselves assistingin the senior housing search-even from a distance. There are an estimated 5.1to 7 million long-distance caregivers in the United States.(3,4)
The search for senior housing has recently become easier. In November,the Alzheimer's Association launched its Senior Housing Finder(SM), powered bySNAPforSeniors. The interactive online tool allows consumers to search acurrent list of licensed assisted living residences, nursing homes and othertypes of senior housing facilities nationwide.
The free resource, which is akin to the real estate industry's MultipleListing Service, allows users to select from search categories such asgeographic location, facility name or license type and then receive a list ofqualified options. Senior Housing Finder can also screen facilities by thelevel of care provided consistent with the seven stages of Alzheimer's diseaseprogression. The navigational tool helps consumers narrow the search, and thencoordinate with family members to make further decisions.
Stern offered five tips for making the search for senior housing lessoverwhelming: (1) assess care needs and personal preferences; (2) beobjective-visit http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_caresource.asp for a list ofall senior housing providers; (3) visit and inspect facilities on your shortlist whenever possible; (4) verify quality by reviewing facility surveys andinspection reports at www.medicare.gov as well as references of current andpast residents and their fa
