Generally speaking, and perhaps relative to other segments of the population, advocates for senior citizens have had more success through recent decades in ensuring that the needs for our aging population have been met. I think about Social Security, Medicare, and the wealth of programs instituted through the Older Americans Act, and I'm so thankful that these things exist.
As the population skews ever older, these resources are clearly in need of further strengthening so that the promise they bring will be there for future generations. I'm glad we're having having regular policy discussions nationwide about how to do this.
However, as a geriatric care manager in NYC, I believe not enough attention is being given to the issue of ensuring that seniors have adequate and affordable housing. Nowhere is this issue more acute than in NYC. When I think about the cost of living for younger people with full salaries, the idea of having to make it in this city with increased needs and a decreased budget sounds downright daunting.
In my geriatric care management practice here in New York, this issue comes up with regularity. When this issue does come up with my clients, Im able to tap into my years of experience working at an organization that deals specifically with senior housing in NYC. Here are a couple of the many ways I'm able to help:
If I could give a single piece of advice to those who are thinking about these things, even if only a little bit: start planning early. The options for facilities on the more-independent (and more-affordable) side of things have huge waiting lists. Sometimes years long.
This is obviously a tremendous topic that demands more than a short blog post. If you would like to discuss this topic more, be in touch anytime. We're here to help.
As the population skews ever older, these resources are clearly in need of further strengthening so that the promise they bring will be there for future generations. I'm glad we're having having regular policy discussions nationwide about how to do this.
However, as a geriatric care manager in NYC, I believe not enough attention is being given to the issue of ensuring that seniors have adequate and affordable housing. Nowhere is this issue more acute than in NYC. When I think about the cost of living for younger people with full salaries, the idea of having to make it in this city with increased needs and a decreased budget sounds downright daunting.
In my geriatric care management practice here in New York, this issue comes up with regularity. When this issue does come up with my clients, Im able to tap into my years of experience working at an organization that deals specifically with senior housing in NYC. Here are a couple of the many ways I'm able to help:
- I help seniors with "aging in place", where assessments are made, resources & services are explored, and through comprehensive care management, plans are eventually devised and implemented. Sometimes it takes very little to accomplish this and sometimes it takes a lot more, but it's very often a worthwhile and achievable goal.
- Others simply want to know what's available other than nursing homes, which are obviously more medical in nature than what many of my clients are looking for. Im always happy to meet with clients and their families in consultation to explore options like assisted living and so-called "enriched housing facilities". I can help clients apply for, and facilitate transitions to these facilities, as well.
If I could give a single piece of advice to those who are thinking about these things, even if only a little bit: start planning early. The options for facilities on the more-independent (and more-affordable) side of things have huge waiting lists. Sometimes years long.
This is obviously a tremendous topic that demands more than a short blog post. If you would like to discuss this topic more, be in touch anytime. We're here to help.
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