This weekly blog review includes living environments for the
elderly as they age and have problems with housing and relocating. As an
individual ages and retires, the question of living arrangements comes into
play. Elders can have health problems, or the death of a spouse which causes
them to live alone or find alternate housing. Fortunately there are many
housing options that are available to elders. The text explains that “Types of
housing range from independent to dependent on a continuous scale. Living in
one’s own home is the most independent lifestyle; living in a hotel-type
resident is semi-independent; and living in an institution is the most
dependent lifestyle” (Hiller and Barrow, 2011). Depending on the situation,
seniors and aging elders have the freedom of choosing which lifestyle they
want. If a senior is unable to care for themselves, or needs monitoring on a
daily basis then there are options such as assisted living, granny units and
shared housing. A granny unit is more of an independent lifestyle that is like
an apartment. A granny unit “is an independent unit contained within a
single-family home, generally with an outside entrance” (Hillier and Barrow,
2011). This housing arrangement is ideal for a relative who wants some privacy
but may still need a little bit of help. Assisted living is where the senior
stays at that place, and it is more homelike but they serve meals and have activities.
All of these options are for seniors who need alternate living arrangements
than their current living ones.
This chapter was especially helpful in gaining the information needed to make such an important decision. You covered the essence of the chapter by stating which facilities are best for different type of individuals and their circumstances. Personally, I have visited a number of assisted living facilities and I completely believe that they are the way to go. If one is however, not capable of caring for themselves whatsoever, nursing homes would be the only logical solution. So many pros and cons come from each option, but in the end it is important to consider the needs and desires of the person seeking help. This was a good wrap up to the chapter, good post.
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