Skip Navigation
  DHHS logo Dept. of Health & Human Services
  Search Button
Available language translations
Link to AoA Homepage U.S. Administration on Aging
About AoA
Press Room
Elders and Families
Professionals
AoA Grant Programs
Chinese español Francais Deutsch Italiano Japanese Korean Portugues
Home > Elders & Families > Housing
Elders & Families
Bullet Alzheimer's Resource Room
Clear Image
Bullet Disaster Assistance
Clear Image
Bullet Elder Rights & Resources
Clear Image
Bullet For Caregivers
Clear Image
Bullet Housing
Clear Image
Square Bullet Assistive Technology
Clear Image
Square Bullet Home Remodeling
Clear Image
Square Bullet Housing Services
Clear Image
Square Bullet Independent Living
Clear Image
Square Bullet Nursing Facilities
Clear Image
Bullet How to Find Help
Clear Image
Bullet Nutrition
Clear Image
Bullet Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Clear Image
Bullet Services for Seniors
Clear Image
Bullet Volunteer Opportunities
Clear Image
Bullet More Resources
Clear Image

Housing

There really is no place like home. When asked about their preference for housing, most seniors answer, "What l would really like to do is to stay right here." The person's own home represents security and independence to most Americans.

Most housing, however, is designed for young. active and mobile people. To live at home, a person must, at the very least, have access to transportation, go shopping, cook. and do household chores. Many of us will lose one or more of these abilities as we grow older.

One option is to purchase in home services, to cope with declining abilities. For a fee, an army of workers will appear to cut your grass, wash your windows, cook your meals, do the shopping, and even provide personal care and/or skilled nursing care. This may be the option for you, depending on the amount of help you need. However, this can be expensive and will require a lot of management and coordination.

For people willing to relocate, there are plenty of options, although there may be some confusion about what all the terms mean. You may hear about "board and care homes," "personal care homes," "life care" and "continuing care retirement facilities." All refer 'to some type of "assisted living" or service-oriented housing. Please select from the Housing Sub Navigation listed below.

Housing Sub Navigation:

 

Spotlight - Images of Older Americans
Additional Topics
* Eldercare Locator (Off Site)
* HHS - Self-Evaluation to Promote Community Living for People with Disabilities (Off Site)
* 1990 Census Data on Housing and Population (Off Site)
* National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification (Off Site)
* Senior Citizens Page - Department of Housing and Urban Development (Off Site)
Site Utilities Tab
Last Updated 9/9/04
*Printer-friendly page
*Email this page to a friend
*Was the information on this page helpful? Top
What’s New  |  Contact AoA  |  Visitor's Guide  |  Privacy Notice  |  Accessibility  |  FOIA  |  Site Map  |  Topics A-ZGlossary