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Housing Options
Types Of Housing Options
SENIOR
APARTMENT LIVING...
is usually an apartment complex that provides
each tenant a full apartment, kitchen appliances,
laundry facilities, and 24-hour security. Services
such as scheduled activities, transportation,
and meal service may or may not be included. This
type of housing is also referred to as Congregate
Housing. Continuing Care Retirement Communities
usually include this level of housing in their
option pack.
CONTINUING
CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (CCRC)...
offers housing with a full range of services,
including nursing care, when or if it is needed.
Housing can be in apartments, condominiums, or
in cottages. Continuing care includes everything
in one package, and is sometimes called "life
care," because you can live in the retirement
community regardless of your changing health care
needs.
Residents may select the type and level of care
that fits their needs now, and then "graduate"
to another level and type of care if their situation
calls for it.
ASSISTED
LIVING...
units are designed to offer support services that
help you maintain privacy, freedom, and independence.
Facilities are usually offered in apartment buildings
or complexes, with individual apartments that
include kitchens. Most facilities offer a variety
of common areas, such as living rooms, libraries,
and central dining rooms. Most facilities offer
easy access to transportation and health care
services. Other services such as light housekeeping,
assistance with bathing, dressing, or medications,
and meal preparation can be arranged, if needed.
Professional staff such as nurses, social workers,
and dieticians may be provided by the facility
or coordinated with outside agencies. The assisted
living facility must be licensed by the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
RESIDENTIAL
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES...
are facilities that provide six or more residents
with an individual living unit with a private
bathroom, but not necessarily a kitchen. These
facilities provide the same services as Assisted
Living Facilities. They are licensed by the Department
of Health and Environment (KDHE).
BOARDING
CARE HOMES...
can be alternatives to nursing home placement.
These homes provide a room, meals, laundry, cleaning,
24-hour supervision, and in some cases (depending
upon their license), may provide supervision of
medications and personal assistance with bathing,
dressing, and grooming. This type of home does
NOT provide medical or skilled nursing care. Residents
must be able to walk and be able to take medication
on their own or with little supervision. Most
board and care homes are privately operated and
must be licensed by the Kansas Department of Health
and Environment, and care for not more than 10
individuals.
HOME
PLUS...
are private residences which offer 24-hour supervision
and care for five people or less. These homes
provide a room, meals, 24-hour supervision, personal
care, and, depending on the qualifications of
the Home Plus operator, may include supervised
nursing care, simple nursing care, or skilled
nursing care. Costs vary widely but a "standard
package" usually includes a room, meals,
utilities, housekeeping, laundry, and some group
activities. Nursing care may be extra.
What
are the costs and how can I get more information?
The cost of these different housing options will
vary depending on the size of your apartment,
amount of services you want or need, the facility's
location, and management. Some housing may be
able to lower the rent cost based on an individual's
income.
Services such as homemaking and attendant care
can be funded in many licensed adult care homes
by the Medicaid program. The home, the potential
resident, and their case manager would negotiate
the room and board cost and the service plan.
The resident would pay the negotiated room and
board cost and Medicaid would pay the service
cost.
Some facilities will have waiting lists, so it is wise to plan ahead
if you are considering moving into one of these housing alternatives.
Contact the Northeast Kansas Area Agency
on Aging, SRS office, or the local housing authority in your
area for more information and assistance.
Important
Questions to Ask Before you Sign a Contract
- How much will it cost, including add-ons to the rent?
- What is the cost and policy on telephones/TV's/Cable
TV hook up?
- Are pets allowed? If so, is there an extra
deposit?
- Are there any restrictions on visitors or
overnight guests?
- How are cleaning standards maintained? Does
someone inspect apartments? Are the inspections
announced or unannounced?
- Will the home or facility accept Medicaid
payment for service?
- Can the rent be based on my income?
- What is the policy on retaining my apartment
if I have a change of health or would need to
be hospitalized? Is that policy part of the
contract?
- What are the costs for services like transportation,
laundry, meals, etc?
- If you will need parking, is it included
or is there an extra fee for parking?
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