HUD USER

Federal and state governments have become more aware of the aging of assisted housing residents and the increasing inability of many to continue to live independently. The provision of housing alone becomes inadequate for elderly whose frailty has increased, and they begin to require assistance with basic activities of daily living. Historically, there has been a steep step between levels of care: from the minimal supportive services typically available in assisted housing environments to the intensive--and expensive- -level of care provided by nursing homes. The sharp differences in levels of care offered have meant that some elderly continue to live in independent apartments well beyond their ability to care for themselves and their apartments adequately; others enter nursing homes without genuinely requiring the intensive medical and supervisory care that is provided there.