More Senior Housing Choices – So People Can Make Choices
More Senior Housing Choices – So People Can Make Choices
By Dana Wollschlager
Ecumen Director of Real Estate Development
A recent article in the AARP Bulletin regarding a need for more housing choices in the State of Georgia hit home the message that across the nation we need to focus on changing health care regulations state-by-state to allow for more resident choice. 
More often than not, residents who are living in personal care homes or congregate housing settings are required to move because slight increases in care assistance does not allow for them to age in place. In many states, for example, medication assistance, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a need for escort services to and from the dining room requires a move to a nursing home rather than changing their care plan to allow for more services and empower them to live where they most want to live.
Not only can another physical move from one location to another be disruptive to the resident, but it is extremely expensive, placing a greater burden on an already taxed healthcare system. It is often much less expensive to provide services to a resident in a housing-with-services environment than in a skilled nursing setting. Statistically, across the nation there are hundreds and thousands of residents being served in a skilled long-term care setting that could easily be served in a more home like environment, if only the regulations were changed. The idea that a skilled nursing home is a better environment for the resident because it is “regulated” and “protects the safety of the resident” just doesn’t hold weight.
There are other ways. Minnesota, for example, has long been providing services to older adults in a less regulated, home environment such as condos, apartments, and townhomes. Minnesota’s progressive regulatory environment, recognizing Assisted Living as a service and not a building, is pro-consumer allowing for choice and the ability to age in community. We are working in one state where we are required to build separate dining rooms for independent living residents and assisted living residents – even though the buildings are all attached, could easily share one dining room and our customers will want to dine together. It just doesn’t make sense.
The freedom to choose is such an integral part of being a human being. Updating senior housing regulations across states to empower resident choice is a needed step in changing aging in America.
0 Comments
Name and email are required. We promise not to share your email address with anyone.