Living alone as you reach advanced years can be difficult. Often family members see retirement homes as the only option next to living independently in their own home.
Fortunately for the senior population, alternatives to nursing homes are becoming popular.
People have different needs so one type of housing is not going to suit everyone equally. This fact grows increasingly true as people face new challenges with age. Seniors living alone are at risk of experiencing poor health, injuries and neglect.
Retirement homes or nursing care is unaffordable for many, if not most, of the elderly population. It also doesn’t address other concerns that make up a full and rewarding life.
Even if the senior could afford a retirement home, it’s not necessarily the best choice. New housing trends are springing up all over the place, giving seniors who can’t or don’t want to live alone a say in how they want to live out the rest of their lives.
Inter-generational Housing for Seniors
Starting a family and living with an older parent or grandparent is not very common in Western middle class families. This is largely due to being able to afford separate housing among the different generations.
In other parts of the world, sharing a house with young and old from the same family is a normal part of life. Before making the decision to live together, consider turning a part of your home into a separate suite so your family and your parent or in-law can lead partly distinct lives.
More homes are being converted into ‘granny flats’ in order to house an aging relative. This is partly because of the rise in seniors, but also because of an increase in life expectancy.
Many find this living arrangement acceptable from both families. The young family is able to rely on child care from the aging parent, and from the senior’s point of view, they’re able to afford some independence. When things go wrong, they have someone to turn to.
Co-housing is Becoming a Popular Alternative
The basic idea is having two or more strangers share a living space much like having a roommate. Between roommates, certain services are shared, such as having a maid come over or other health care services.
Both costs and benefits are split between the roommates, reducing individual cost. Co-housing is not for everyone as by this age, most seniors are used to their own space.
For those willing to experiment, the living situation may work out well, especially for those who can’t afford those services on their own.
Living Alone
For seniors who are in good health and mobile, spending the rest of their days in their own home is an option. One other option for them will be independent senior living, where they get to live an independent life but in a relaxed senior community.
In both these cases, in order to reduce risk of not receiving help when needed, a device for alerting authorities or appropriate assistance will prove very helpful. There are affordable devices that allow for two way communication, and provides constant service to its customers.
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