Older Americans have many more options than they did just a few years ago when it comes to housing. Individuals who are advanced in age and have left the workforce are increasingly choosing to stay in their own homes or communities of their choosing rather than move to a nursing facility.
Author Beth Baker, who has written extensively about the lives of older Americans, recently published the chronicles of her journeys visiting different retirement communities. In an interview with Forbes, Baker mentioned the most popular communities are those where older adults can remain independent while having meaningful connections to family and friends, including:
- Co-housing – Residents live in a shared apartment or house and have common group meals or gatherings.
- Identity communities – Housing developments designed for people who share common interests.
- Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) – Locations where a significant portion of older adults happen to live.
- The Village Model – A membership group dedicated to helping older individuals age in place with the assistance of paid staff and volunteers.
One of the most interesting living situations, according to Baker, is a community that uses various technological solutions to help individuals with severe dementia remain as independent as possible. The program, based in Maine, outfits homes with webcams that can be accessed by family members and health providers. Volunteers also visit the care recipients every day.
"I wouldn't want people to think that these are people who are still going to be isolated, but monitored," Baker told Forbes. "The community relationship piece turns it into a successful model."
It's not easy for family members to check on loved ones when they live far away. Fortunately, Independa's TV-enabled, cloud-based software solutions can help. Our telecare services offer an easy way for older individuals to reach out to family and friends.
