Plentiful Senior Housing Options Create Many Lifestyle Choices for Seniors!

Minnesota's "older" consumers today are on average more savvy, a little older, and have many more housing options than previous generations of seniors. They demand quality, independence and choice, which have led to the creation an estimated 2,000 senior housing communities of every type around the state, according to Aging Services of Minnesota. These housing communities include: market rate and federally-subsidized apartments, some with assisted living services; adult foster care homes; board and lodging establishments; and non-certified boarding care homes.

Clearly, senior housing is more than a place to live--it is a lifestyle. Like other lifestyles, it is a choice that older people can make based on their specific needs and desires. Why so many options? Along with the tremendous growth in the number of seniors, who are generally living longer and staying healthier, is the strong preference for staying independent in their own communities as long as possible. And, as more seniors live longer, many will eventually need settings that can offer supportive or health services.

Services Are Key
Services that help tenants stay independent have become a key part of many senior housing communities. Supportive services are commonly available in senior buildings and can include meals, emergency call and security systems, scheduled transportation, activities, housekeeping, service coordination, help with laundry or personal funds, and more. Tenants can always bring in home care services if they need additional help, and some buildings have arrangements with home care agencies to make it even easier for tenants to access services. Home care services may include professional nursing services; help with dressing, grooming and bathing and other personal cares; assistance with medications and more.

Many senior buildings now make assisted living services available to their tenants. Assisted living programs offer coordinated supportive services and home care services, which are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. In addition, specialized services and building features for those with memory loss or other special needs is now also available in many locations. The availability of supportive services and home care services is a key reason so many more seniors can remain living active and fulfilling lives in senior housing settings.

Growth of Senior Housing
In 1995, the Minnesota Legislature passed the Housing with Services Contract Act to provide additional consumer protections for those who need housing that offers various supportive and health related services. Minnesota now has more than 1,600 registered housing with services establishments in all parts of the state. And about 60 percent of these establishments offer assisted living programs under Minnesota's 2006 Assisted Living law.

Senior cooperatives have been a very popular type of housing for Minnesotans who want to continue to be owners, but don't want to be responsible for all the maintenance required for a single-family home. Although new construction has slowed along with the weakening of the housing market, more than 70 senior coops have already been developed in Minnesota.

In the Twin Cities metro area, Maxfield Research has estimated that by the end of 2011, there will be approximately 36,000 units of senior housing available. In its 2008 report, Maxfield Research states, "Clearly, the Twin Cities is highly sophisticated in its offerings to the senior market. Older adult and senior households have the option of choosing almost any type of housing style (e.g., single-family home versus high-rise apartment) that meets their ownership preference (i.e., rental or owner-occupied) and lifestyle needs (i.e., services available or not available)."

Why Move to Senior Housing?
What triggers a move to senior housing? The need for some supportive or health care services is a big reason. Some seniors move simply to be closer to family, health care or shopping. As they grow older, others want to avoid burdensome home maintenance such as mowing, shoveling snow and cleaning gutters. Others feel isolated and lonely, particularly after the death of a spouse, and move to senior housing where they can enjoy the companionship of others and sense of community.

Although a move into senior housing can be a tough choice to make, these settings offer tenants tremendous benefits. One national study showed that an older person living in a senior housing community had an average life expectancy of four-and-one-half years longer than a comparable person living in a private home. Three key reasons were cited for the life expectancy increase among senior housing dwellers: 1) availability of needed health and supportive services; 2) well-balanced, nutritious meals provided on-site; and 3) opportunities for activities and frequent interaction with other seniors and staff.

Where to Start
Aging Services of Minnesota encourages older adults to begin exploring their housing options long before they plan to move and not to wait until a crisis forces them to make a quick decision under stressful conditions. A number of tools and checklists are available to help people become informed shoppers. Information is available from a number of sources, including online at www.minnesotahelp.info/public/and by calling Senior Linkage Line^R at 1-800-333-2433. The Uniform Consumer Information Guide is another helpful resource for persons shopping for senior housing and services. It includes information about the building and its features, available services, costs and more. This guide is available from all buildings with assisted living programs and by Oct. 1, 2010, this guide will be available from all registered housing with services establishments in Minnesota.

Before consumers begin their search, they should know that in addition to Minnesota's Landlord-Tenant law, Minnesota has other consumer protection laws in place. Senior buildings providing housing, supportive services and health-related services, called "housing with services establishments," must disclose to prospective tenants important consumer information in writing, such as the monthly cost of basic services, what services are available for an additional fee, and how to make changes to the contract. This law was developed by Aging Services of Minnesota to assure that consumers have been given the information they need to make good choices in selecting their senior community. Along with the Uniform Consumer Information Guide, which all housing with services establishments must make available by October 1, consumers will have the information they need to make prudent decisions about where to live.

Look for these Quality Programs
When looking for senior housing, consumers can also check to see if the organization has adopted Aging Services of Minnesota's Code of Ethics, which shows a commitment to ethical practices, quality services, well-trained staff, and a consumer-centered focus.

If you are looking for housing-with-services, ask whether the building has received the Confident Choices for Senior Living designation, which is given to those senior housing communities that have gone beyond the minimum requirements and strive for quality and excellence.

For memory care programs, consumers can check to see if the provider has adopted Aging Services' Guiding Principles for Dementia Care, which provides the framework for a comprehensive and resident-focused memory care program.

These are all indications that the organization has committed to providing high quality services that focus on the individual consumer's preferences and needs.

Source: Aging Services of Minnesota, July 2010

Aging Services thanks 2010 Annual Sponsor Dougherty & Company LLC and our other sponsors for their support and partnership.