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Jennifer was able to help Sue and Greg find an affordable memory care community that addressed the needs of Harold. Sue said, “It ended up being a great environment for my dad that offered a holistic approach to meet his physical and emotional needs. All of these aspects played a role in setting him up for success.” Jennifer found a continuum of care community for Bern and Dotty which Sue said was a better fit than their condo; offering the comforts of home, plenty of independence, and easy access to nearby healthcare providers. “The transition to assisted living can be hard and PCS eased that transition to make it as seamless as possible,” Sue said.
PCS, as well as other senior placement services, are a solid source for bridging the connection to trustworthy, affordable companies with staff especially trained to work with older adults that include movers, organizers, organizations that pick up donated items, estate sale experts, real estate agents, home stagers, elder law attorneys and financial planners.
Sue said, “When moving day arrived, Jennifer was there to help. She even followed up after the move to see how things were going.” Jennifer said, “As you can imagine, we get pretty attached to families as we all go through this process together. Being able to understand how hard it is and to be there to give a big hug every now and then is pretty important.”
Sue emphasized, “We would have been lost without them!” For more information on PCS, visit www.parentschangingspaces.com or call (844) 772-7368.
Of course, AAA 1-B is a good first resource for housing information. Call (800) 852-7795 or contact us at www.aaa1b.org.
Jennifer Taylor of PCS and a client.
The AAA 1-B can help you with housing referrals and information. Call (800) 852-7795 and our resource specialists can discuss housing options with you.
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Independent Living
Active, independent older adults can thrive in this environment that provides plenty of social interac- tion and a sense of community. Living quarters are designed for residents who manage activities of daily living without assistance.
Housing choices include:
• Senior apartments
($800+ depending upon location)
• Condominiums
($50,000+ depending upon location)
> Congregate Living residents live independently in their own apartment or condo and share amenities such as a common dining room and recreation center
• Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO)
These prefabricated housing, range in size from 288 to 800 sq. ft., have a time-limited placement sharing the property of a single family home and cost $3,500+. Some examples are:
> Tiny homes (aka a Granny Pod)
> Binishells (inflatable concrete, dome-shaped
home)
> MEDcottages (state-of-the-art residence designed for rehab, with built-in remote medical monitoring equipment)
• Aging in place
Stay in your own home after a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) makes modifications to help you remain there safely. For more information, contact AAA 1-B at (800) 852-7795 or SameAddress at (866) 736-4671.
Pick a new community
If you want to make a move, there are communities that promote aging in place and neighborly involvement, a combination that can lead to a greater sense of well-being. These include:
• Cohousing Community
An example is Great Oak Cohousing in Ann Arbor. It’s an intergenerational, collaborative condo neighborhood that encourages the values of community with a greater sense of connection to one another. The community’s common house is a place to share meals with others and participate in community events that celebrate all generations. For more information, call (734) 274-9110.
• Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)
These are close-knit neighborhoods, with residents age 50+, who agree to support each other in the shared goal of aging in place. Needs are assessed and addressed collaboratively through volunteerism that maintains a sense of value and helps prevent isolation. Residents have access to a shared community center for exercise and activities that include a full calendar of events to encourage engagement.
> ShareCare Community Designed to support senior independent living and aging in place, where neighbors help neighbors and support services are readily available. ShareCare of Leelanau in Northern Michigan is an example of a NORC community.
> TimeBanking Community This is a barter support system functioning within a neighborhood where residents earn TimeBank hours for hours spent assisting fellow community members. In turn, these hours can be cashed in to meet your own needs. For more information, check out the MI Alliance of TimeBanks at http://www.mitimebanks.org.
Continuum of Care Community
This is a community that provides graduated levels of care (e.g., independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing facility) on one campus so that as
a person ages they can transfer into appropriate housing as needs change. Residents pay a large entrance fee that helps support the community and serves as a prepayment of care. With different contracts to choose from, it’s important to thoroughly read through the fine print and review options with family so that there’s an understanding as to how future payments will be made to cover expenses. Take time to research the company to make sure that their financial future is sound to support your needs 20+ years down the line. Monthly fees range from $3,000 to $5,000 and may increase as needs change. The cost of meals, housekeeping, trans- portation and activities might not be included in the monthly fee.
Assisted Living Residential Care
Residents are relatively independent, but may require some help with activities of daily living. Facilities are designed with safety and security in mind and feature 24/7 supervision and personalized supportive services. Amenities include room, board, activities and laundry service. Average cost in Michigan is $3,560/month. Options also include:
• Home for the Aged provides a nurturing home environment for adults age 60+
• Memory Care can also be found in a skilled nursing setting, is designed for individuals with middle- to late-stage memory conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory loss. Staff includes skilled nurses and medical personnel. The average cost in Michigan is $4,265/month
Skilled Nursing Home/Rehabilitation
Facilities (long- and short-term)
Medical, personal, supervised care provided 24/7 that includes basic to skilled services. Average cost in Michigan is $7,559/month.
Subsidized Housing
If your income is low, you might check out government subsidized housing. These apartment communities are available in most every community in Michigan. Rent is based on 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You must be able to care for yourself, but this may be a good option if money
is tight and you want to remain independent. There are waiting lists, but it pays to put your name down if you think this may be something you’d like to do. You can get more information from your local Public Housing Commission in Michigan at: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_ indian_housing/pha/contacts/mi


































































































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