Types of Group Residence
Choosing whether to stay home with support or if and when to move into a group residence is one of the biggest choices facing seniors who are looking ahead. There are many types of group residence and it can be difficult to understand the differences in what they offer.Home Share
is presented as an option for senior care in news articles on a semi-regular basis. The general idea is that a house-rich senior provides affordable housing to an individual, perhaps a student, who provides some degree of support with meals, housekeeping and personal care for the senior. Home Shares are a nice sounding idea but there are many risks to account for. Before getting into a home sharing arrangement consider:
- Is there a clear understanding of the duties expected as part of the home share?
- As the seniors needs increase how is the arrangement expected to continue?
- Is the individual renting able to safely provide for the care needs of the individual?
- Potential for abuse in these circumstances is very high. Is a third party supervising the situation for the senior as they become more vulnerable?
- If the situation doesn’t work out how would the rental and tenancy issues be handled?
Co-Housing
residences are rented units that do not offer meals, housekeeping or personal care but do provide accessible housing with more potential for peer and intergenerational relationships.
There is often discussion of sharing services in Co-Housing, like a caregiver providing cluster support for shorter periods of time to several people in the building to make help more economical. This does not work out in most situations because people’s needs don’t coincide and line up with each other in terms of the days and times when they need help and the period the needs arise and perhaps end. Co-Housing that catered exclusively to independent individuals with disabilities could work but there are none specialized for that demographic in BC at this time. Keeping in mind that to have cluster care shared among a group comes with less choice over your team.Independent Living Exotics
are Owned housing units with housekeeping and some meals provided but higher STRATA fees to cover the added services.
- Due to the additional services provided, the monthly payments are typically 2-3x higher than a typical STRATA unit.
- If there are personal care needs then a home care provider will be needed.
- Consider the transition plan before buying - When the senior moves or passes the unit will continue to require STRATA fee payments until it is sold to someone else. Demand for these units is limited and they may take longer to find a seller during which time the STRATA payments remain payable.
- Buyer beware - We have seen families stuck with these units sitting unused while they tried to sell for over a year while paying $1500+ monthly STRATA fees.
Independent Living Traditional
are rented units with housekeeping and some meals provided. More costly Independent Living may offer additional events, outings and activity programs.
- If there are personal care needs then a home care provider will be needed.
- Staying in Independent Living with private home care is a common holding pattern for seniors trying to avoid a transition to AL or LTC.
- Maintaining mobility is the key to staying in Independent Living - Keep doing those daily strength exercises to avoid an early transition due to frailty.
Independent Living Certified
are rented units with housekeeping and some meals provided with a nurse and the option for personal care available on-site. Certified Independent Living are a relatively new category, these units are operated by corporate group care companies operating larger buildings with multiple levels of care available.
- Nurse supervision and on-site personal care services are available at a premium cost.
- High costs for additional personal care services and hidden add-on fees that can double or triple the normal monthly rates.
- Do not assume that you will be able to remain at the same building location when a shift from Independent to Assisted Living or Residential Care is needed. The facility mandate is to keep beds filled. Will a unit at that location be available when the level of care changes?
Assisted Living (AL)
are rented units with housekeeping, meals and personal care provided. Residents need to be able to walk independently with or without supportive devices. Residents generally have a degree of dementia, cognitive decline or other impairments.
- Finding peer relationships for more cognitively intact residents can be more challenging than hoped.
- There is some opportunity for relationships with the care providers depending on the scheduling practices of the location.
Residential Care (LTC)
are rented units with housekeeping, laundry, meals and personal care provided. Residents are often unable to walk and mobilize independently, have progressed dementia or serious cognitive decline. Residential Care buildings are lockdown units and most residents are unable to leave the building or grounds independently.
- Most LTC residents are not cognitive and the primary opportunity for ongoing relationships is with the care providers. Continuity is important for all people of all cognition levels so the people who see you each day know you and know what is your ‘normal’.
- It is possible for cognitively intact individuals with serious mobility impairments to have no other option than LTC. In these situations we encourage people to have care in their own home and avoid going into LTC for as long as they are able.
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