Follow
Share

I do need some assisted living.

Not that I know of. Often the "six pack" is a bit less expensive. These Board and Care homes are now rare as hen's teeth. They were often run by a family, would house about 6 people in often a large home, good family cooking, your own room, and less expensive than ALF. HOWEVER, I doubt SS would cover it. With only a SS income it is almost impossible to even keep up a paid for home given taxes on a home, upkeep and utilities in our day and age.

I honestly don't know what options might be. I would consider being roommates with another elder if you have a good friend.

It's very tough out there for many elderly.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report
cover9339 Aug 19, 2024
Alvadeer? LOL Thanks so much

There are still many board and care homes, they're "bigger" now since some states may allow them to have more residents.

As an example, in OH the maximum residents allowed is 16. Many of these places try to get at or near this number partly because of money. Those on SSI can get their stay covered by being part of the RSS (Residential State Supplement), which takes the bulk of their SSI (leaving them with $200) and combines this with what the state payment. The elder has to be referred by a social worker, and I believe a therapist as well? but not entirely sure.

As far as own room, more like shared room, especially if at the maximum allowable limit. As well, there could be with the limit say 2 full bathrooms for 16 residents to use.

Big home, yes, those who are housed upstairs if they can't do stairs well, then there is the stair lift for them to use.

Home cooked meal, yes, but residents on SNAP (whole home, probably), all their benefits go to feed the whole household.

Oh yes, many neighborhoods don't want a group home, so they tend to be in outlying areas of communities a good distance from public transit and walkable destinations (like grocery store, library etc). They also try to hide or blend in to the surroundings as much as possible so they don't come off as being a group home.

Your family run comment, did bring a chuckle. Being that NE OH is competitive as far as medical, there is competition among these homes for new residents, the same as other medical such as doctors, dentists, nursing homes, etc. The aforementioned suburb has a lot of older residents, it is a big suburb, so many of these businesses have made sure to have a location there.
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
If you are a veteran, there are those on this site who will guide on working with the VA.

If not, you should consider an elder group home, or a faith-based facility because they see the care as a mission and are often supported by a larger state or national organization that provides part of the funding (my MIL is in one of those). You don't need to be part of that denomination or even a believer.

There is also section 8 housing, and find info on that through your county's social services website for elder care.

You can call social services and ask for an in-home assessment to see if you qualify for any services. Counties will often have inexpensive transportion services if you qualify.

Also contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more info and resources.

Make sure you have an assigned PoA who is willing, local, competent and a full generation younger than you. Otherwise the courts will assign you a legal guardian not of your own choosing (and in my own experience this was a good thing for my SFIL because they took care of him and gave him the care he needed).
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Do you qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits? If you served in the military during wartime, call your local VA and ask.

Good luck to you.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

My brother-in-law's parents were able to get some sort of Medicaid waver that paid for assisted living. I think their health was bad enough that there was a big risk of one or both of them needing nursing home care without the extra help (medication supervision, healthy eating, etc.) of assisted living.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to onlyavisitor
Report

I don't know if you have HUD in your area. The places that accept HUD they go on your income if you just have social security then what ever the place you can get with HUD its a 30% of your income. My brother only has social security and his apartment without HUD was $650 he only paid $340 and that was on a two bedroom the one bedroom would have only been $300. Some of HUD housing has people there to help out.

You might want to look into Medicaid and see if they can help you.

Prayers you find something.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to Babs2013
Report

No, there really are not any assisted living facilites, nursing homes, memory cares, or rehabs that are not outrageously expensive. Even the worst most disgusting place costs a fortune.

If you're low income you would qualify for Medicaid. If you have military benefits the VA can also help you find some assisted living at a veterans' home or privately.

Onlyavisitor in the comments is right. You may qualify for a special Medicaid waiver to help pay for assisted living. It depends on what state you are in. Medicaid may also help you with homecare.

Do you own a home? Do you have family who would be willing to move in and become your caregiver? Some states through their Medicaid programs have a family caregiver program where that person would get paid to llive with you and take care of you. You woud have lifetime use of your home and when you pass it would be sold and Medicaid collects whatever amount was paid out.

You have options. If you're considering somewhere 'faith-based' go with a Catholic establishent. I'm Jewish and I suggest this. I did care for a long time and the Catholic places are usually decent.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to BurntCaregiver
Report

There are some places that cost $3000 a month. If you don't need medical attention, you can stay at a one bedroom high-rise. Costs do very from city to city. I am quoting Pittsburgh prices.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Onlychild2024
Report
TouchMatters Aug 25, 2024
A person needs to research; prices go up all the time, if not yearly raises.
Clearly, this person needs help doing their research and / or learning how to do it. This isn't the forum to ask a 'global' question.

Otherwise, people 'here' (as you are) might know of 'one place' in their own city - and then there are hundreds of variables. Clearly, if you give a 'lead' as you are, you need to give specific information as to who, where, contact information.

This writer clearly needs to research 'retirement' homes within their county; if they cannot do that, they need assistance of someone who can.
This writer needs someone who can help guide them to gain the information they seek.

Most of us know that housing for low income seniors is not only difficult to find, waiting lists for 8-10 years long 'if' the listing to sign up isn't closed.

Bottom line:
- Research
- read contracts
- contact senior services at County City Hall / government entity.
- Personal assets need to be considered.

Clearly, what might be $ today is likely $$$ tomorrow.

Gena / Touch Matters
(2)
Report
It depends on your definition of outrageous. Once you have depleted all your assets and only left with ss. There are many programs to pick up the difference. Talk to your health insurance provider they can give guidance to the agencies in your area.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Sample
Report

Do you ned an AL or just low income housing? Check with your local social services to see if you qualify. You might need to be wait listed.
There is the option of an IL studio and hire out intermittent care might save you more.
Another option that many seniors balk at. MIL has a 2 BR apartment that will continue to raise rent. She is against renting out the other room to another senior but it is either return to a job or have no more options. Family choose not to assist her because she took early retirement and made the poor decision of cashing out her retirement expecting handouts from her children....not when she might live another 20 years.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to MACinCT
Report

In the King County area of Washington state there are many, many adult family homes (typically 6 residents and 2 caregivers). I do not think home owner's associations have the power to deny them...ours doesn't have the power to do so, and frankly they are typically very quiet (other than the occassional ambulance), so why would they? In my area, they do require that you self pay for 2 to 3 years, then many will allow folks to transition to Medicaid. My dad stayed in one for only 3 months, and it ended up costing around $8,000 a month, plus a huge amount for some separate nursing contract....I can't remember how much that was, or how long the contract was for.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to michelle7728
Report

Majorpaul, do you really need Assisted Living? If you are able to get around on your own, it might be better to see if there are any low income senior apartments in your area. Your rent would be based on your social security and any other income that you may have. See if the two places listed below would help.


www.after55.com/search/ga/augusta/extras-income-restricted

www.seniorhousingnet.com/seniorliving-search/augusta_ga/low-income-senior-housing_type
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to freqflyer
Report

Contact your local Augusta, GA Area Council of Aging of listings for assisted living within your income restrictions. Other readers in our forum offer great advice!
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Patathome01
Report

Look for a HUD senior housing…they charge 30% of your monthly income for rent! I live in a gorgeous one.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Sadinroanokeva
Report
ArleNC Aug 25, 2024
What state r u in?
(0)
Report
I think the killer problem for you getting affordable accommodation is “I do need some assisted living”. Once you go for around-the-clock staffing, the price is astronomical. It might help if you work out what ‘assistance’ you need, and if you could get it separately from the accommodation. We’ve suggested people look for very short hours of help by posting on nextdoor.com, or something like that. Then you might be OK with a small apartment. Would that work for you?
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to MargaretMcKen
Report
swmckeown76 Aug 31, 2024
A friend moved to a different state to attend law school. She served as housekeeper, did lawn care/snow removal, and shopped for an older woman who wanted to remain in her home. They were of the same religion so she also took the woman to church. This gave her a place to stay and a small salary, while allowing the woman to stay at home. Something similar occurred with 2 Catholic religious sisters (they were nurses who were sent by their order to attend grad school to become nurse practitioners. No convents had room for them in that area, so they asked Catholic churches there publish there need for housing in their newsletters/bulletins. One Catholic parishioner had a widowed Baptist neighbor w/spare rooms in her house. The sisters paid her rent and helped w/maintaining the house. Perhaps you could work out something like this.
(0)
Report
Look for places that accept social security, medicare, and medicaid. They will tend to be no frills, but will provide place to live. If you do not have needs for assistance, check to see if you qualify for HUD housing.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Taarna
Report
lminick Aug 26, 2024
Mo as t assisted livings do not accept Medicaid waiver. Perhaps senior or HUD housing is the best bet
(1)
Report
Most communities have HUD supported senior housing and some are very nice, new construction, etc., even within the same town so shop around. You may need to get onto a waiting list, the sooner the better especially for the newer, nicer places. Then if you will need some assistance, look into senior/aging resources for help; some are supported by Medicare/Medicaid but may be just a few hours a week and for specific ADLs (Activities of Daily Living: light housekeeping, simple meal prep, etc.)You can also apply for SNAP ('food stamps') and Meals on Wheels (some community food banks also furnish meals to seniors and some have special dietary menus.) If you can qualify for 'Section 8', now known as Housing Choice Voucher program, it also goes by 30% of your income and there are rent amount 'caps' for whatever size unit you qualify for, which varies community to community because of housing costs in different areas. If you can live with another senior that works for some people: be housemates and share expenses, etc. All the best!
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Santalynn
Report

I would suggest contacting your local Social Services department and your states Department of Aging to help lead you in the right direction. Your state has specific criteria and this forum can not guide you because you did not provide that information. If you are only on Social Security you may qualify for several programs but you will need to take the initiative to make that first contact. I wish you luck.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to AMZebbC
Report

i found this about Georgia. https://medhomeinfo.org/medicaid-assisted-living-georgia/
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to PeggySue2020
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter