 Dear
Kate,
My mother is 73 years old
and I am her only child. She has lived in a family home in
another state for over 40 years. The home is owned by
my aunt who is now in a nursing home and the house will be
sold to pay for her nursing home expenses. The house goes on
the market next month.
Unfortunately, my mother has not been able to find a place
and is considering moving to Massachusetts. I’ve
called several places and filled out applications for
elderly housing only to find out most have a two to four
year waiting period. She is on a fixed income and does not
have the option to purchase a condo and neither do I. Any
suggestions or advice?
C.V., Hanover, MA
Dear C.V.,
Finding an affordable
housing option for elders is often a difficult topic, due to
the growing number of seniors that require housing, and the
limited resources and housing options to keep up with the
demand. Many elders find themselves in a position to need
housing but unable to afford the purchase of a property, or
the typical fees at an Independent, Assisted Living or
Retirement Community.
With this in mind, there are various housing options for
elders, depending on multiple variables, including income,
care needs, and flexibility in area and living arrangements.
Calling your local Aging Service Access Points (ASAP) to get
a list of housing options and request assistance from their
Information and Referral department can get you started.
Speaking to the Outreach Worker at your local Council on
Aging can also be very helpful. Applying to multiple housing
authorities in a broad area is also a good first step you
have already taken. Waiting lists can be daunting, but the
sooner you get your completed application in, the sooner you
get on the list. Elders at risk of being homeless are often
given priority.
There are some Independent and Assisted Living communities
that provide affordable options, including shared space, and
other funding options based on financial as well as care
needs. It is often possible to live in one of these
arrangements while waiting for an opening in Senior Housing.
Other housing options to explore are Congregate Housing,
Supportive Housing, and the PACE model which again have
various financial and care requirements.
Utilizing a professional that is informed about the various
choices and can work with your particular circumstances to
give you the best options can take much of the guess work
out of an often overwhelming task. A move can be a
difficult experience for many elders, so utilize support to
make this time of transition as positive as possible for
both you and your mother.
Local Aging Service Access Points serving the South Shore
are South Shore Elders which can be reached at (781)
848-3910 and Old Colony Elderly Services which may be
reached at (508) 584-1561.
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