Low Income Senior Housing In The US
This article looks at how the government and various companies are providing low income senior housing to ensure that even the elderly with relatively low pensions can live comfortably. At the forefront of the government effort to provide affordable shelter to retirees is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A major component of the government's plan to provide assistance is the provision of grants to families who cannot afford to place the retired members in a senior retirement community. Grants for low income senior housing are especially helpful when the elderly members of the family have to stay in a nursing home or in assisted living residences.
Assisted living provides a more affordable alternative to a nursing home for those who are looking for low income senior housing. This kind of arrangement is for those who require help in doing certain daily living activities, such as housekeeping, cooking, bathing, meal preparation and dressing. The program may also include the provision of assistance in exercising, walking and toileting. Home health care, where visits by physical therapists and nurses are made, is a possible option but this is much more expensive than assisted living. Besides, it may be advisable for the elderly member of the family to stay in a retirement community where there is a broad range of services that are available. This will offer the benefit of easy transfer to a nursing home if his or her health has deteriorated.
In Missoula Montana, affordable housing is made available by the Missoula Housing Authority not just to senior citizens but also to various individuals and families. Another provider of low cost housing in Missoula is the non-profit organization homeWORD that makes housing complexes made up of several inexpensive housing units while providing a sustainable design. Meanwhile, in the state of Michigan (MI), low income housing for senior citizens is provided in various places including Canton Place Senior Citizens at Canton, Grebe Village Senior Housing at Cheboygan, Bishop Noa Senior Citizens at Escanaba, Woodhaven Senior Community at Flint, Marsh Ridge Senior Community at Grand Rapids, Ganton Retirement Centers at Jackson, Delta Retirement Center at Lansing, Washington Woods Senior Apartments at Midland, and Harbor Village Senior Apartments at Petoskey.
Low income senior housing is for retirees who are depending only on Social Security and this is not sufficient to for obtaining even the least expensive one-bedroom apartment in most cities and counties. The government and non-profit organizations are doing their best to provide for these needs but the inadequacy of available housing units is still a problem. And for those who have health problems, particularly those who require constant medical care, a nursing home is another option. This kind of arrangement is quite expensive although Medicare and Medicaid may provide the necessary financial assistance to low income seniors. Another option is assisted living for those who need less medical attention but require help in performing some of their daily activities, such as cooking, preparing meals, housekeeping, bathing, toileting, and dressing. However, this is more expensive than the low cost housing alternative.
