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"Housing Options - Opportunities for Change: Living Arrangements in Response to Life Transitions," the Spring Community Meeting presented by the UCLA Center on Aging, was held on April 18, 2002. The meeting, sponsored by Jon and Chet Lappen, presented a panel of speakers who discussed both the various alternative housing options available as well as the psychological and social factors behind such a transition . Helen Kelley, former President of Immaculate Heart College, served as moderator of the meeting, with panelists Susan Alexman, Director of the West Hollywood Comprehensive Senior Center, and Janet Witkin, Executive Director of Alternative Living for the Aging.

Janet Witkin spoke about the importance of community in the role of human survival, stressing the idea of independence through interdependence as the key to the transitional living situations of older adults. She explored various options, such as living with roommates or the use of roommate matching services, cooperative housing communities, and individual apartment units within an apartment complex housing other independent older adults.

Susan Alexman presented various life situations as possible reasons for a housing transition, and gave a brief overview of the options available. Some of the most significant motivations for such a transition are financial limitations, inappropriate current housing situations, loss of social networks, moving closer to family members, the death of a spouse, and health problems which may limit physical strength or mobility. For example, financial limitations may arise after retirement when a person's income may decrease, inappropriate housing situations may be presented when maintenance becomes an overwhelming ordeal, or when living in a house promotes isolation.

Ms. Alexman described various living arrangements:

--Retirement centers are facilities for residents who are mobile and virtually independent, and can take care of themselves in their own apartments. Housekeeping services, meals and dining services may be included, or a small kitchenette or a refrigerator may be available in the unit. Activities, transportation, and security are sometimes an added feature to this comprehensive service package.

--Assisted living facilities provide housing to older adults, as well as group meals, personal care and support services, and social activities in a residential setting. These facilities may also provide some health care, costs are $1,000 to $3,000 a month or more.

--Residential care facilities, more commonly known as board and care homes, are smaller in scale than assisted living facilities. These facilities provide a room, meals, and help with daily activities, but typically do not provide medical services. Costs range from $350 to $3,000 a month and may sometimes be covered by Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

--Congregate senior housing consists of small apartments for older adults who are largely independent and do not need personal care or assistance with activities of daily living. These facilities often offer group meals to promote community living as well as various social activities.

--Homesharing can be a good arrangement for people who are independent. Two or more people can share a home or apartment, and some homeowners seek this arrangement to avoid living alone. Generally, each person has a private bedroom and shares the kitchen and other living spaces, as well as sharing household chores. Sometimes assistance with cooking or cleaning can be exchanged for rent.

For additional information on housing options for older adults, please visit the U.S. Administration on Aging website at http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/eldractn/retrlivg.html
or the AARP website at http://www.aarp.org/confacts/housing/housingoptions.html.