Family Resources

The first step to maintaining independence in aging is education.  In the Family Resources section of our website, we provide information on trends and developments in senior housing for the senior population.

Over 1 Million Seniors Live Without Support Needed to Maintain Independence

Did you know that, according to a study by the National Center for Health Statistics, around one million Americans live in their own homes but don't receive the assistance that they need to carry out the basic activities of daily living such as preparing meals, housekeeping, dressing, bathing, toileting, and dealing with their medications. Studies have shown that when seniors don't receive the needed assistance to carry out these activities of daily living they are more likely to experience adverse conditions such as falls, injuries, dehydration, problems with medication, or other problems that worsen health and increase their disability.

The effect on families can be equally devastating.  Family members are the primary source of personal care assistance for seniors living in the community who need help with activities of daily living. Spouses are most often the primary caregivers, followed by daughters, and other relatives. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and reported in Newsweek in 2004 found that the health care toll on family caregivers is enormous. The study found that elderly caregivers who said they felt physically or psychologically strained by their caregiving responsibilities were more likely to die early than non-caregivers. Another study conducted at Ohio State University found that compared with a control group, caregivers of spouses with dementia have weaker immune systems. Their wounds heal more slowly and they are more likely to have a stress hormone present in their blood that has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. However, seniors can receive the supportive services they need and the stress on families can be greatly reduced  through choosing assisted living. 

Today over one million Americans have made the choice to live in an assisted living community and receive the ongoing assistance they need with activities of daily living in their own apartment home and from specially trained professionals including licensed nurses. An individuals who need supportive services but want to continue to maintain their independence. It is the right choice for those who do not need the more intensive services of a nursing home. In fact some of the key items that distinguish assisted living from a nursing home include:

~Maximizing a resident's privacy: A resident lives in their own apartment home.
~Providing a unique mix of security and choice of services available to support varying levels of independence.
~Focusing on recreational, social and spiritual activities to promote a resident's happiness and satisfaction.
~Costing significantly less than nursing homes. Most seniors have the income and assets to afford assisted living, while few seniors can afford a nursing home.
~Allowing a resident to "age-in-place" with dignity in a community of her/his choice.

Senior Independent Living Costs No More Than Remaining In Your Own Home

A recent study conducted by Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services, Inc. of Texas found that "a senior's costs of living before moving into an independent living community and after are quite similar." Mr. Moore stated that "these findings should help seniors better plan for their future." It had been widely assumed that a senior's cost of living could go way up after they moved to an independent living community. A careful quantitative study based on actual cost of living data and taking into account pent-up home equity opportunity costs demonstrated otherwise.