Is Co-House a Good Senior Living Choice?

Over the last several years, there have been a few kinds of senior living that have grown in popularity. While some of these–like in-home care–are undoubtedly good, others have raised a few questions. One of those new options is co-housing. Simply put, co-housing is the practice of two or more seniors living together in the same house. It can help to create a sense of community and belonging, especially if those elderly individuals are already friends or have similar interests.

 

Co-housing isn’t new, but it is becoming more widely used in our culture. The question that a lot of people have regarding it is: can senior co-housing be an effective method of senior living?

 

Ultimately, it depends.

 

Like so many other things when it comes to personal choices, what’s great for one person might not necessarily be the best choice for another. Each person has a different set of circumstances and needs, and when it comes to care, what’s ideal for one person isn’t going to be a good choice for another. Each person has different senior care needs, and one type of care will not be perfect for everyone else. Co-housing might be a good choice for some, but it’s certainly not right for everyone.

 

Granted, there are some big advantages to co-housing. As already stated, it helps with the social aspect of aging. It is not uncommon for senior citizens to feel isolated and alone because of decreased mobility, a disability, or some other reason. Co-housing solves this problem. Instead of isolation, seniors that live together are with their peers as frequently as they want to be.

 

Co-housing can help reduce costs. Senior care is expensive; in fact, that’s one of the most pressing issues that families who are seeking care for an older loved one face. Care has a cost associated with it, and this is a huge concern for those that will be responsible for covering that cost. Sure, there are programs in place that are designed to help reduce our out of pocket expenses (like health and long term care insurance), but co-housing can be a great way to cut overall expenses in things that insurance won’t cover and help seniors to save money for things that are important, like medical costs.

 

There are a lot of senior living choices out there, and co-housing is one of those that is rising in popularity.

 

Seniors want to stay in their homes for longer, and advances in medicine, technology, and how care is provided make this more possible than ever before. While co-housing might be great for some seniors, those that have difficulty getting through the day without assistance might not find it as helpful as it is intended to be. For those that do need help, in-home care or another type where a trained caregiver is present is going to meet needs much more thoroughly and safely. Again, each person has different needs, and while co-housing can meet many of those needs for people, it isn’t the right choice for everyone. Take a look at what your loved one needs help with, and then help them to make a care choice accordingly.

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