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Housing Options
ECHO HousingIf you and your parent don't wish to live together, having your parent live in a cottage on your property might be a workable alternative. Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO for short) units are small, self-contained, portable housing units that can be placed in the back or side yard of a single family house. They were first manufactured in Australia to enable parents to remain near their adult children and families. ECHO units provide closeness, while retaining privacy for both parties. The cost of ECHO housing is less than a new home. For example, companies in California and Pennsylvania offer completely installed one-bedroom units with more than 500 square feet of living space for around $25,000. Consider these issues:
Board and Care HomesBoard and care homes go by many names (including personal care homes, residential care facilities, assisted living, and domiciliary care). In exchange for rent, generally they provide room, meals, laundry and house-keeping, and regular contact with staff to ensure that "all is well." The daily contact with staff is what distinguishes "board and care" homes from the more familiar boarding houses. Your parent would share this home, of course, with a number of other residents. Visit the home with your parent before a decision is made. Look at the private room your parent may occupy. Ask lots of questions about the services and evaluate the staff. Ask for references and check the home's record with the local or State licensing agency. Consider these issues:
Congregate HousingCongregate housing is usually an apartment complex that provides each tenant a full apartment, serves meals in a central dining room, and provides housekeeping services. It is different from board and care homes because the individual units include kitchens and because it provides a professional staff that may include social workers, counselors, or nutritionists. Today, most congregate housing facilities are sponsored by non-profit agencies and range in size from 35 to 300 living units. You may find congregate housing facilities listed under "Retirement Communities" in your local telephone directory. The rents vary, and Federal subsidies often help cover a portion of rental fees. Consider these issues:
"Life Care" or Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)Continuing care communities offer the benefit of independent living in apartments and houses, but with health care services and a nursing facility on the premises. Payment for nursing care and many other services is sometimes made in advance. The cost of a continuing care community can be high. The entrance fee can range from $50,000 to $250,000 (which may or may not be refundable) and you must also pay monthly fees (that can increase while you are a resident). The difference between a continuing care community and board and care homes or congregate housing is that continuing care communities provide a commitment to take care of residents regardless of any changes in their health, for as long as they reside in the community. If your parent is considering a move to a continuing care community, BE CAUTIOUS. Some continuing care communities have financial problems. You may wish to review the facility's financial statement with an attorney or accountant and note its cash reserves and its policy for using them. Check with the local or State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Protection Office in the CCRC's locality to be sure it has not generated complaints of any kind. Consider these issues:
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