Housing

This chapter explores the housing options available for the folks. Each individual and every family are unique. Consequently housing/living arrangements will be varied and dependent on many factors. These options range from living completely independent at home to skilled nursing care for the totally dependent individual.

Housing options for the folks can best be analyzed in three broad categories:

1. Independent living - at home or elsewhere
2. Semi-independent (or assisted) living - at home or elsewhere
3. Dependent care - usually somewhere other than home

The determining factors of where the folks will be living are health/medical, financial and familial or combinations thereof.

Decisions on parental housing/living will be come about as a result of changes that occur in the family. These changes could be health or medical events, family moves or financial circumstances or perhaps a death. At some point there will likely be an event, a change in family dynamics that will focus attention on the living situation for Mom/Dad.

You may be fortunate to have a parent(s) who are capable of maintaining themselves in their own home perhaps well into their 90's. On the other hand you may have a parent with health/medical conditions that will dictate some form of assisted living or acute care.

Obviously the first rule is respecting parental choices. Mom/Dad may wish to stay in their own home with all the comfort and familiarity it brings and avoid the stress and upheaval of a physical move. This should be your first objective but for a variety of different circumstances may not be practical.

1.Housing Intro
2.Independent Living - At Home
3.Independent Living - Other Options
4.Semi-Independent Living
5.Dependent Care