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Seniors Desire To Stay In Home
Has Led To Innovative Housing
By Alice Shaw
Contributing Writer
Seventy-five percent of seniors want to stay in their own homes and, with help, some may be able to do this, said Julie Chippendale, home care specialist with Surrey Senior Services.
However, for those who find they must move for health or other reasons, she said, there are many options — some of them quite new and innovative.
Speaking recently at Surrey’s Havertown, PA senior center, Mrs. Chippendale said that in many areas of the country, seniors who are determined to stay in their homes have formed “networks” that help these seniors with shopping and other needed services.
Other seniors remain in their homes, she said, by arranging for a local senior service organization to provide them with the help they need. (Surrey is such an organization.)
For those who find they must leave their homes but who do not want to live in an institutional setting, she said, there is a new development called “co-housing.” In a co-housing community, which is composed of people of all ages, residents own their own apartments but get together for meals and other activities and for monthly community meetings where decisions about community matters are made.
“It’s an interesting concept,” she said, “but may not be everybody.”
Another new development, she said, is college campus housing for seniors. “There are about 50 or 60 of these around the country and more are springing up,” Mrs. Chippendale said. “It’s an appealing concept.”
There’s some intergenerational mix and seniors who live in these campus communities, among other things, can take college courses, attend sporting events and use the college pool, she said. “Penn State has one of these communities on its main campus,” she said. “I know that Oberlin College (in Ohio) does to. Most of the seniors who live in these campus communities are alumni [of the college where the community is located] but you don’t have to be.”
Despite new developments in senior housing, Mrs. Chippendale said, many seniors still prefer to move into traditional continuing care retirement facilities where they are assured care for life. The trouble with many of these communities, she said, is that they can be quite expensive.
With respect to these communities, she recommended considering those that are operated by a religious organizations. “If you run out of money,” she said, “these communities won’t kick you out.” She added that homes operated by religious organizations are sometimes less expensive.
Yet another new development, Mrs. Chippendale said, is the “village movement,” a concept that started in the Beacon Hill section of Boston. These villages, she said, spring up in communities that are predominantly composed of older people. The residents hire people to provide services for them and a “concierge” to oversee the provision of services, which are often made available at discounted prices by local plumbers, electricians and veterinarians, among others. Volunteers work alongside paid employees to help the elderly residents.
She said two area retirement “villages” are Penn’s Village and East Falls Village, both in Philadelphia.
“There’s also what they call ‘granny flats’ or ‘in-law suites’”, Mrs. Chippendale said, explaining that these are additions that adult children build onto their homes to house elderly parents.
A member of the audience said she is a happy resident of such a suite. “I have my own living room and bath, she said, “and we share the kitchen and eat together.”
Laughing, she said, “I told them up front I would not be the cook. However, the grandchildren come once a week and help me provide dinner for the whole family.”
Finally, Mrs. Chippendale noted, there is senior housing provided by government for low income people. However, she warned, only housing is provided in these units, not services.
Mrs. Chippendale told her listeners that whatever type of housing seniors opt for, they should make sure they have constant contact with other people. It is essential, she said, to avoid isolation.
Mrs. Chippendale gave everyone in the audience a copy of the winter edition of Guide to Retirement Living Sourcebook, a free publication which has information about many types of senior housing in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and New York. Assisted living facilities and home healthcare services are included.
Information about this sourcebook may be obtained by calling 1-800-394-9990 or clicking on www.retirement-living.com.
Has Led To Innovative Housing
By Alice Shaw
Contributing Writer
Seventy-five percent of seniors want to stay in their own homes and, with help, some may be able to do this, said Julie Chippendale, home care specialist with Surrey Senior Services.
However, for those who find they must move for health or other reasons, she said, there are many options — some of them quite new and innovative.
Speaking recently at Surrey’s Havertown, PA senior center, Mrs. Chippendale said that in many areas of the country, seniors who are determined to stay in their homes have formed “networks” that help these seniors with shopping and other needed services.
Other seniors remain in their homes, she said, by arranging for a local senior service organization to provide them with the help they need. (Surrey is such an organization.)
For those who find they must leave their homes but who do not want to live in an institutional setting, she said, there is a new development called “co-housing.” In a co-housing community, which is composed of people of all ages, residents own their own apartments but get together for meals and other activities and for monthly community meetings where decisions about community matters are made.
“It’s an interesting concept,” she said, “but may not be everybody.”
Another new development, she said, is college campus housing for seniors. “There are about 50 or 60 of these around the country and more are springing up,” Mrs. Chippendale said. “It’s an appealing concept.”
There’s some intergenerational mix and seniors who live in these campus communities, among other things, can take college courses, attend sporting events and use the college pool, she said. “Penn State has one of these communities on its main campus,” she said. “I know that Oberlin College (in Ohio) does to. Most of the seniors who live in these campus communities are alumni [of the college where the community is located] but you don’t have to be.”
Despite new developments in senior housing, Mrs. Chippendale said, many seniors still prefer to move into traditional continuing care retirement facilities where they are assured care for life. The trouble with many of these communities, she said, is that they can be quite expensive.
With respect to these communities, she recommended considering those that are operated by a religious organizations. “If you run out of money,” she said, “these communities won’t kick you out.” She added that homes operated by religious organizations are sometimes less expensive.
Yet another new development, Mrs. Chippendale said, is the “village movement,” a concept that started in the Beacon Hill section of Boston. These villages, she said, spring up in communities that are predominantly composed of older people. The residents hire people to provide services for them and a “concierge” to oversee the provision of services, which are often made available at discounted prices by local plumbers, electricians and veterinarians, among others. Volunteers work alongside paid employees to help the elderly residents.
She said two area retirement “villages” are Penn’s Village and East Falls Village, both in Philadelphia.
“There’s also what they call ‘granny flats’ or ‘in-law suites’”, Mrs. Chippendale said, explaining that these are additions that adult children build onto their homes to house elderly parents.
A member of the audience said she is a happy resident of such a suite. “I have my own living room and bath, she said, “and we share the kitchen and eat together.”
Laughing, she said, “I told them up front I would not be the cook. However, the grandchildren come once a week and help me provide dinner for the whole family.”
Finally, Mrs. Chippendale noted, there is senior housing provided by government for low income people. However, she warned, only housing is provided in these units, not services.
Mrs. Chippendale told her listeners that whatever type of housing seniors opt for, they should make sure they have constant contact with other people. It is essential, she said, to avoid isolation.
Mrs. Chippendale gave everyone in the audience a copy of the winter edition of Guide to Retirement Living Sourcebook, a free publication which has information about many types of senior housing in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and New York. Assisted living facilities and home healthcare services are included.
Information about this sourcebook may be obtained by calling 1-800-394-9990 or clicking on www.retirement-living.com.