Where to live? Sorting out the options
Elizabeth Schuman
Contributing Writer
A teapot left on the stove burns. The house, once tidy, is now a mess. Medicine is not taken. And you begin to wonder if the home where your loved one is living is the best option. Or maybe, it's you—and you realize that your house is too big and requires too much effort. But, where to go and how to pay for it?
Talk about a recipe for confusion.
That's where geriatric social workers and care managers such as Howard County-based Lisa Scherr Simenauer, LCSW-C, C-ASWCM, step in to help. "The idea is to stay independent as long as possible. There are lots of choices."
Where to start
Before any move, take these three steps, says Simenauer:
- Visit your physician: Forgetfulness or cognitive issues may not mean Alzheimer's or dementia. They may be caused by a physical condition that can be remedied.
- Assess your needs: Meals? Transportation? Socialization? Where do you need help?
- Contact your department of aging: Learn about local resources. Bring information about income and medical needs. Sign up for the Medicaid Waiver.
Where to go
Keep in mind that a geriatric social worker or care manager helps older adults and their families plan. While larger communities also have social workers on-site, the smaller assisted living group homes do not. Know your options:
- Living with children: Move in with children, either by adding separate living quarters or converting existing space.
- Active adult communities: Plentiful home styles without specialized services for 55+ residents who lead active lifestyles.
- Senior apartments: Multifamily residential rental properties for 55+. No central kitchen facilities, but may have community rooms and social activities.
- Independent living communities: Age-restricted properties with central dining facilities for meals, housekeeping, transportation and social programming.
- Assisted living residences: Meals, transportation, activities and supportive care to residents unable to live independently. May include separate areas for Alzheimer's or dementia.
- Nursing homes: Skilled 24-hour nursing care
- Continuing care retirement communities: Combination of independent, assisted and skilled nursing.
Resources
- Anne Arundel
- Department of Aging and Disabilities
- (410) 222-4464; 1-800-492-2499 (toll free, Maryland)
- www.aacounty.org/aging
- Baltimore City
- Senior Information and Assistance Office
- (410) 396-2273
- www.baltocity.gov
- Baltimore County
- Senior Information and Assistance
- (410) 887-2594
- www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging
- www.takingcareofmomanddad.net
- Carroll
- Senior Information and Assistance
- (410) 386-3800
- www.ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/aging
- Harford
- Senior Information and Assistance Office
- (410) 638-3025
- www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/aging
- Howard
- Maryland Access Point of Howard County
- (410) 313-5980
- www.howardcountymd.gov/oa/cs_officeaging.htm
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