The novel coronavirus has in no small way taken over all of our lives. It is also leading us to reconsider where to live as we age. Judith Graham reports for Kaiser Health News on new thinking among older adults about housing.
Given the inability of so many nursing homes to contain the virus, many more people now recognize the dangers of ending up in a nursing home. As of now, the latest data show that 70,000 nursing home and assisted living residents and staff have died of COVID-19. Indeed, all group housing options need a rethink. Independent living is seeming far more attractive than ever before.
At least in the confines of your home, you can control your environment. Other people are not in charge of your day-to-day activities, who you see and who can visit. You can protect yourself.
Graham reports that some older adults are thinking ahead about a living environment where they can get assistance when they need it. Others are thinking about how best to age in a way that minimizes social isolation. In both cases that could mean owning or renting a bigger home, where there is adequate space for multiple people.
Some older adults are waiting the pandemic out before they make a decision. At this point, no one has a good sense how long the pandemic will last or whether it will ever fully go away. But, they think they are more likely to avoid exposure to COVID-19 if they are in their own homes.
Of course, getting care if needed is the challenge for anyone choosing to remain in their homes as they age. It can be expensive. And, good care can be difficult to find.
Living on your own presents other challenges. Being able to engage with others might not be easy. In a group environment, it’s far easier to be around other people. And, then there’s the question of getting supplies, including masks and other protective equipment.
All of these decisions turn in part on what’s affordable. For a growing number of older adults, eight million, living in a group facility, be it independently or with assistance, is not affordable. That’s in addition to the more than seven million older adults who live in poverty, with annual incomes under $12,000.
If you or some you love is considering moving, here are some questions to consider:
- What is the facility saying to its residents and their families about COVID-19?
- Has there been a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility and, if so, is it letting people know about infections and death rates
- How is the facility keeping its residents safe?
- What is the facility’s plan and supplies in the case of a hurricane or other natural disaster?
- How does the facility provide social engagement for its residents?
- What is the financial situation of the facility? Can it withstand a drop in occupancy?
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