Navigating housing options can be challenging, especially for senior citizens seeking comfortable, affordable, and supportive living environments. This guide explores a range of housing arrangements tailored to the diverse needs and preferences of older adults. While specific availability may vary, understanding these options is a crucial first step in making informed decisions about senior living.
Accessory Apartments: Independent Living with Family Support
Accessory apartments, often called “mother-daughter homes,” are self-contained living units created within or added onto a single-family house. These units offer separate eating, bathing, and sleeping areas from the main dwelling. Typically occupied by family members or close friends, accessory apartments provide seniors with independent living while maintaining close proximity to loved ones for social interaction and support.
Benefits:
- Economic: Shared expenses can reduce housing costs.
- Social: Provides companionship and reduces social isolation.
- Security: Offers peace of mind knowing loved ones are nearby.
Considerations:
- Zoning regulations: Municipalities may have specific requirements regarding size, parking, and safety standards.
- Variance requirements: Property owners may need to obtain a variance if the area is not zoned for accessory apartments.
Adult Family Care (AFC) Homes: Personalized Care in a Family Setting
Adult Family Care (AFC) homes offer a supportive living arrangement where seniors who can no longer live alone reside in the home of a caretaker. These homes provide a family-like environment that encourages participation in household activities and community involvement.
Key Features:
- Individualized care: Care plans are tailored to each resident’s needs and preferences.
- Home-like environment: Residents have access to shared living spaces and are encouraged to participate in family activities.
- Supervision: AFC homes are supervised by a “sponsor agency” licensed by the Department of Health, ensuring quality care and safety.
Benefits:
- Promotes autonomy, privacy, and self-esteem.
- Provides a uniquely individualized approach to care.
Adult Retirement Communities: Active Living for Independent Seniors
Adult retirement communities are designed for active, independent seniors aged 55 and older. These communities typically offer a range of housing options, including single houses, duplexes, condominiums, and garden apartments.
Amenities and Services:
- Social and recreational activities: Clubhouses, tennis courts, golf courses, swimming pools.
- Limited services: Transportation, general maintenance, and upkeep.
- Optional services: Some communities offer access to medical or nursing services.
Financial Aspects:
- Units are generally for purchase, but rental options may be available.
- Residents pay property taxes and a monthly fee for community services.
Affordable/Subsidized Housing: Accessible Options for Lower-Income Seniors
Affordable housing units are priced to be accessible to households earning 80% or less of the county’s median income. These units may be rentals or for purchase and are often the result of legal mandates for municipalities to provide affordable housing opportunities.
Resources:
- Council on Affordable Housing (COAH): Provides assistance to municipalities in determining their affordable housing needs.
- Department of Community Affairs: Assists municipalities in marketing and monitoring their affordable housing projects.
Benefits:
- Provides affordable housing options for seniors with limited incomes.
- Helps ensure housing security and stability.
Assisted Living Residences (ALR): Personalized Support and Care
Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) are community-based facilities licensed by the Department of Health, offering a blend of housing, personalized support services, and healthcare designed to maximize residents’ independence and dignity.
Key Features:
- 24-hour staff availability.
- Apartment-style housing with unfurnished rooms, private bathrooms, and kitchenettes.
- Services such as meals, personal assistance, recreation activities, medication supervision, and limited health services.
Related Options: Boarding Homes, Multi-Level Facilities, Residential Health Care Facilities, and Shared Living Residences.
Boarding Homes: Basic Housing with Varying Levels of Service
Boarding homes in New Jersey offer different levels of service, ranging from basic room and board to more comprehensive care.
- Class A: Provides only rooms and baths.
- Class B & C: Provides rooms, baths, linens, and meals.
- Class C: Offers 24-hour supervision, personal and financial services, and medication monitoring.
Considerations: Individuals needing more health services may want to explore Residential Health Care Facilities. Shared Living Residences may also be a suitable alternative.
Comprehensive Personal Care Homes (CPCH): Assisted Living in a Homelike Setting
Comprehensive Personal Care Homes (CPCHs) are licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health, providing room and board and ensuring access to assisted living services for four or more unrelated adults.
Key Features:
- Residential units housing no more than two residents with a lockable door on the unit entrance.
- 24-hour availability of supportive personal and health services.
- Focus on resident self-direction, independence, and dignity in a homelike environment.
Congregate Apartment Housing: Independent Living with Community Support
Congregate apartment housing is multi-unit housing designed for independent to semi-independent seniors, featuring community social and dining facilities.
Features:
- Individual living units with a living room/bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette.
- At least one hot meal per day and some housekeeping services.
- Optional transportation and personal assistance services.
Note: New Jersey does not currently license congregate apartment housing. These facilities can be part of a multi-level facility or stand alone.
Continuing-Care Retirement Communities (CCRC): A Continuum of Care
Continuing-Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) offer housing, services, and health care, including nursing home care, to seniors. CCRCs provide a continuum of care to meet residents’ evolving needs, from independent living to skilled nursing care.
Key Features:
- Contract agreements outlining housing and services provided.
- Amenities such as meals, housekeeping, linens, 24-hour security, and recreational services.
- Substantial entrance fee guaranteeing shelter and access to health care services.
- Monthly fees covering ongoing services and care.
Regulation: CCRCs are regulated by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities (ECHO Units): Temporary Housing Near Loved Ones
Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities (ECHO Units) are small, removable modular cottages placed in the back or side yard of a home. These units are specifically designed to meet the needs of older or disabled individuals.
Features:
- Allows seniors to live independently while remaining close to loved ones.
- Units range in size from efficiency units to cottages with one or two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room, kitchen, and eating area.
- Connected to the utilities of the primary dwelling.
- Designed to be removed when no longer needed.
Note: This option is currently not available in New Jersey.
Home Sharing: Collaborative Living Arrangements
Home sharing involves two or more unrelated people sharing the common areas of a house, such as the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms, while maintaining private sleeping spaces.
Arrangements:
- Homeowner rents bedrooms to others.
- Two or more unrelated people rent or own a home together.
- Shared living residences sponsored by a nonprofit organization.
Resources: Nonprofit organizations may sponsor match-up programs to assist individuals seeking home sharing arrangements.
Mobile Home Parks: Affordable Housing for Seniors 55+
Mobile home parks provide spaces for manufactured housing units to be located and connected to utilities. Residents typically own their unit and rent the space from the park. Some mobile home parks are age-restricted for individuals 55 years of age or older.
Multi-Level Facilities: A Range of Services in One Location
Multi-level facilities offer a range of services, from independent living to supportive services and skilled nursing care. Priority for moving to higher levels of care is typically given to residents already living within the facility.
Regulation: Board and Care and residential health care units are regulated by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Assisted living units and skilled nursing care units are regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health.
Nursing Homes: 24-Hour Medical Supervision and Care
Nursing homes are residential facilities providing 24-hour supervision by licensed nurses under the direction of a physician. Emphasis is placed on medical care, supplemented by therapies, personal care services, and social activities.
Services:
- Care for individuals with chronic diseases or conditions requiring ongoing medical attention.
- Personal care, social services, religious services, and recreational activities.
Regulation: Nursing homes are licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health.
Residential Health Care Facilities (RHCF): Health Maintenance and Monitoring
Residential Health Care Facilities (RHCFs) provide health maintenance and monitoring services under the direction of a professional nurse.
Services:
- Room, meals, linens, housekeeping, personal assistance, and personal laundry.
- 24-hour security, financial management, and recreation activities.
- Supervision of medication and limited health services.
Regulation: These facilities are licensed, regulated, and inspected by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Shared Living Residences: Community and Companionship
Shared living residences are homes where unrelated people live together. Each resident has a private bedroom, while other spaces in the house are shared.
Characteristics:
- Accommodates typically five to fifteen residents.
- A volunteer or paid manager is usually responsible for overall maintenance, housekeeping, shopping, and dinner preparation.
- Most group residences are licensed as Class B or Class C boarding homes.
Subsidized Apartments for the Elderly: Affordable Rental Options
Subsidized apartments for the elderly are rental units designed for individuals at least 62 years old or those with a disability. Construction and rental costs are often financed by government entities.
Eligibility:
- Income limitations apply.
- Rents are usually subsidized based on household income.
Note: There are typically lengthy waiting lists for this type of housing.
Amenities: Some subsidized housing settings offer congregate housing services programs and assisted living programs. Recreational activities and support services such as meals, housekeeping, or transportation may be provided.
This housing guide provides a starting point for understanding the diverse range of housing options available to senior citizens. Contacting local agencies and resources can provide further assistance in finding the best fit for individual needs and preferences.
