Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): If you or a loved one owns a single-family home, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) may help you keep your independence. An ADU, sometimes called an “in-law apartment,” an “accessory apartment,” or a “second unit,” is a second living space within a home or on a lot. It has a separate living and sleeping area, a place to cook, and a bathroom. Space such as an upper floor, basement, attic, or space over a garage may be turned into an ADU. Family members might be interested in living in an ADU in your home, or, you may want to build a separate living space at your family member's home.
Check with your local zoning office to be sure ADUs are allowed in your area, and if there are special rules. The cost for an ADU can vary widely depending on how big it is, and how much it costs for building materials and workers.
Subsidized Senior Housing: There are Federal and State programs that help pay for housing for some older people with low to moderate incomes. Some of these housing programs also offer help with meals and other activities like housekeeping, shopping, and doing the laundry. Residents usually live in their own apartments in the complex. Rent payments are usually a percentage of your income.
Board and Care Homes: Board and care homes are group living arrangements designed to meet the needs of people who cannot live independently but do not need nursing home services. Most board and care homes provide help with some of the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. Board and care homes are sometimes called “group homes.” Many of these homes do not get payment from Medicare or Medicaid. The monthly
charge is usually a percentage of your income.
Assisted Living Facilities: These facilities provide help with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. They may also help with care most people do themselves like taking medicine or using eye drops and additional services like getting to appointments or preparing meals. Residents often live in their own room or apartment within a building or group of buildings and have some or all of their meals together. Social and recreational activities are usually provided. Some assisted living facilities have health services on site. In most cases, assisted living residents pay a regular monthly rent, and then pay additional fees for the services that they get. The term “Assisted Living” may mean different things in different facilities. Not all assisted living facilities provide the same services. It is important that you contact the facility and make sure they can provide you assistance to meet your needs.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): CCRCs are retirement communities with more than one kind of housing and different levels of care. Where you live depends on the level of care you need. In the same community, there may be individual homes or apartments for residents who still live on their own, an assisted living facility for people who need some help with daily care, and a nursing home for those who require higher levels of care. Residents move from one level to another based on their needs, but stay within the CCRC.
If you are considering a CCRC, be sure to check the record of its nursing home. Your CCRC contract usually requires you to use the CCRC's nursing home if you need nursing home care. Some CCRC’s will only admit people into their nursing home if they have previously lived in another section of the retirement community, such as their assisted living or an independent area. Also, many CCRCs generally require a large payment before you move in (called an entry fee) and charge monthly fees. You can also find out if a CCRC is accredited and get advice on selecting this type of community from Continuing Care Accreditation Commission at 1-202-783-7286. Or, you can look at www.ccaconline.org on the web.
Hospice Care: Hospice is a special way of caring for people who are terminally ill, and for their family. This care includes physical care and counseling. The goal of hospice is to care for you and your family, not to cure your illness. If you qualify for hospice care, you can get medical and support services, including nursing care, medical social services, doctor services, counseling, homemaker services, and other types of services. You will have a team of doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, counselors and trained volunteers to help you and your family cope with your illness. In many cases, you and your family can stay together in the comfort of your home. Medicare covers hospice care if you qualify. Medicare does not pay for 24-hour assistance if you get hospice services at home. Depending on your condition, you may get hospice care in a hospice facility, hospital, or nursing home. Room and board are not covered if you get general hospice services while you are a resident of a nursing home or a hospice’s residential facility. However, room and board are covered for inpatient respite care and during short-term hospital stays.
Some nursing homes may provide respite care. Respite care is inpatient care given to a hospice patient so that the usual caregiver can rest. Medicare covers respite care if you are getting covered hospice care.