Blog 5 Chapter Review

Chapter 10 Living Environments

     This chapter covers challenges the elderly may face as they age and become unable to care for themselves.  The challenges are due to "the location, the type of housing they have, their personal circumstances, their health, and marital status" (Hillier & Barrow, 2011).  Many of the elderly would choose to continue living in their own home for as long as they are able because "a home not only provides shelter, but also is a symbol of permanence and identity" (Hillier & Barrow, 2011).  There are other options available when this is no longer possible, such as, assisted living or residential care apartments, active adult communities, shared housing, skilled-nursing facilities, granny units, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC).
     There are many programs available to assist the elderly with making these transitions easier.  Some of these programs, like the frail elder programs and adult day cares, are government funded through the Older Americans Act. There are also insurance programs that can make staying at home affordable and workable for the elderly.
     Even with all of these living options available for the elderly the decision to make the move is always the hardest, not just for the elderly client, but also for the family, because there are so many things to consider when preparing to make plans that could affect so many lives. 

Many of the elderly live in their homes for many years and so the home ages with them.  The home is just like an elderly person.  The older they get, the more care they need.  People go to the doctor to get fixed when they begin to fall apart and things do not work right.  A house also has to be repaired when things start to fall apart and do not work right.  When that home can no longer be repaired, then it is time to move to somewhere else.