Independent Living
Independent living helps seniors and people with disabilities have more choices in how to live. With independent living, you gain freedom by not having to do home maintenance or repairs. You can also choose a place that provides extra help with services you may need, such as transportation and meals.
There Are Several Kinds of Independent Living for Seniors:
Low-income senior housing offers lower rent for seniors who can no longer take care of their homes and need financial help. Visit www.hud.gov to search for housing options and other programs in your area.
Retirement communities include single-family homes, apartments or condos so renters or owners can live on their own and be around people of the same age.
Congregate care housing provides extra benefits like recreation, transportation and a community dining room. Congregate care is usually for people 55 years and older.
Continuing-care retirement communities (CCRC) offer a range of care. You and your partner can start with independent living, then move to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility in the same community when necessary.
Centers for Independent Living
People with disabilities help design and run centers for independent living that help them live more on their own in the community. The centers help disabled adults find the right community-based homes and provide referrals, life skills training and peer counseling.
Community-Based Homes:
- provide more freedom than other types of facilities
- enhance personal independence while providing additional safety
- offer handicapped accessibility
- include subsidized rent
You can search www.ilru.org for a center for independent living in your area.
Additional Resources
Administration for Community Living: www.acl.gov
HelpGuide.org: www.helpguide.org
National Council on Independent Living:
www.ncil.org