Communal Arrangements

Communal Arrangements

Informal Arrangements

In large urban areas where families have lived collectively in an apartment building complex and grown old together, there is a possibility for residents in the complex to crowd together and watch out for each other. This may also consist of limited care giving services for neighbors. But it more likely would take in helping neighbors with things such as light housekeeping, shopping, companionship, medication reminders and transportation.

Another arrangement becoming popular in Europe is for the elderly to share an apartment or home together and provide for each other's needs. In Europe there are in fact agencies that bring together interested elderly parties who wish to share living arrangements. We're not conscious about these services in the United States, but the trend will possibly be to provide the same living arrangements here. At present there are all kinds of agencies providing roommate sharing service around the country so it is only a matter of time before some of these services start specializing in getting together elderly people who can provide support for each other.

Presently the only way we are alert of elderly people coming together to share a home or apartment is through classified ads. A daily reading of the newspaper or online ads will probably yield a number of offers from people desiring a roommate who can also provide some care services for each other.

Formalized Communal Arrangements - Shared Living Residence

A shared living residence provides private rooms and shared kitchen and living areas in a family home environment for 3 to 10 older people who share rental expenditure and homemaking activities.

A shared living residence may be owned or sponsored by a community association and rented to residents. Additional supportive and household assistance for residents will be different according to the independence level of the residents. No government licensure or certification is required unless personal care is charged for or provided by the sponsoring association. Charges or rents may be priced at market rates or subsidized with government assistance.

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