Seniors, or senior citizens, are usually considered to be those aged 65 and older. This is the traditional age of retirement, and although people are living well beyond 65, it is also around this time when seniors make decisions about where they will continue to live. Here’s a look at some of the most common living arrangements for senior citizens.

Aging in Place

Aging in place is when seniors remain in their current homes, and successfully aging in place means that a senior can safely and comfortably remain in their current homes. The majority of seniors prefer to remain in their own homes, as opposed to moving into another residence. Studies have shown that this is the most beneficial option for both mental and overall health. However, as mentioned earlier, a senior must be both safe and comfortable in their current home to successfully age in place.

Some existing hazards in a home can include:

• Clutter
• Flooring (both hard and soft)
• Stairs

Bathrooms are one of the most hazardous places in a home for seniors, so home renovations may be necessary to ensure bathroom falls are unlikely to happen. Poor lighting and unexpected fires can also be issues, so it’s important to take a walk through the home and eliminate as many hazards as possible.

Moving in With Family

Moving in with family is similar to aging in place, but instead of possibly living alone, the senior has family members around. The ideal version of this living arrangement will allow the senior to have their own room and bathroom so that safety renovations can be made and everyone living in the home can live comfortably.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case as there are usually children present in the home. This is what’s known as a multigenerational home when children of seniors move their parents in with them— even if they have children of their own. This can be a stressful arrangement for all parties, but it can also be successful.

Moving to a Retirement Community

Retirement communities often get a bad reputation, but that could be because many people don’t understand what they truly are. Retirement communities are communities that are specifically for seniors (sometimes from age 55 and up), and they can be apartment complexes, condos, and even houses. They’re also independent living facilities, meaning that seniors can remain fully independent without assistance. Some retirement communities may even include transportation and housekeeping services.

However, retirement communities can be expensive— especially when they include extra amenities. Some seniors may also need to move into assisted living after some time since these facilities don’t assist with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Nursing Homes and Other Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities do assist their residents with ADLs, and nursing homes are one of the most common assisted living facilities. Seniors who need help with multiple ADLs and/or require round-the-clock medical care need to be in assisted living more than seniors who are still able to live independently. Quality nursing homes and other assisted living facilities will ensure that seniors are cared for properly.

Unfortunately, not all nursing homes and assisted living facilities are quality centers, and some residents even suffer from abuse and neglect in these facilities. This can be due to several reasons (i.e., understaffed facilities, careless actions, etc.), but whatever the reason, this shouldn’t happen. Victims (and their families) of nursing home abuse should contact a personal injury lawyer.

Other Options

Aging in place, moving in with family, and independent and assisted living facilities aren’t the only options that seniors have, as certain life circumstances may present other options.

Buying a Vacation/Retirement Property

Some seniors are in a financial position that allows them to purchase another home, likely in a popular vacation destination or retirement location, such as the U.S. state of Florida. Financially able seniors can also build their retirement home from the ground up, guaranteeing that the home will be safe and comfortable for them to age in place.

Hospice Care

Seniors with terminal illnesses usually choose to move into a hospice setting, which allows them to live out the remainder of their lives comfortably and without pain. Hospice care is usually chosen when medical care can no longer prolong life.

There are many options for senior citizens when it comes to choosing where they would like to live for the remainder of their lives. However, the health and well-being of a senior are a big determining factor— leaving some seniors with little to no choice at all. To have the most options, it’s important to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle.