Housing
In recent years, the choice in housing alternatives for seniors has grown because of an increasing number of elders seeking living environments that match their needs and preferences. Contact your local office for the aging to learn more about housing programs that may be available in your area.
Active-Adult Community
An age-restricted (often aged 55 and over) community of single-family homes, condominiums or cooperative units. It includes lifestyle amenities such as a tennis court, swimming pool, golf course, fitness center, clubhouse and / or restaurant. This housing is NOT licensed by a government agency.
Accessory Apartments
An accessory apartment is created when a single-family home is modified to include a complete, private apartment for use by an older person, typically a relative. Or, as a source of additional income and security, elders may convert their own home to include an apartment.
Adult Home (New York State Licensed)
Housing for adults of all ages that provides private or shared rooms, meals, housekeeping, laundry, linen service, transportation, social activities, some personal care and 24-hour supervision to five or more adults. This housing is licensed and regulated by the New York State Health Department.
Assisted Living Program
An assisted living program, which is available in some adult homes and enriched housing programs, combines residential and home care services. It is designed as an alternative to nursing home placement for individuals who historically have been admitted to nursing facilities for reasons that are primarily social, rather than medical in nature. The operator of the assisted living program is responsible for providing or arranging for resident services that must include room, board, housekeeping, supervision, personal care, case management and home health services.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and fee-for-service continuing care retirement communities (FFSCCRCs) are residential alternatives for adults that offer, under one contract, an independent living unit (an apartment or cottage), residential amenities and access to a continuum of long term care services, as residents' health and social needs change over time. Residential and health care services include:
- Independent housing including meals, social activities, scheduled transportation, housekeeping and maintenance;
- Access to physician, prescription drug and rehabilitation services;
- Supportive housing and services provided in an adult home, an enriched housing setting, or an assisted living residence (FFSC CRCs must provide residents with access to this intermediate level of care; while CCRCs generally provide access to this service, it is not required under the CCRC statute);
- Skilled nursing facility (nursing home) care for residents who become temporarily ill or who require long-term care. Skilled nursing care may be provided in an on-site facility or in an offsite nursing home affiliated with the CCRC/FFSCCRC.
Dementia Care Facility or Wing/Unit
This is specifically for people with dementia. It can be a discrete facility or can be a special wing in a housing development or a residential care facility. The physical layout, programmatic aims, staffing and care plans are designed to address the needs of people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia conditions. This housing is licensed and regulated by the New York State Health Department as Enriched Housing or as an Adult Home.
Enriched Housing
This provides senior residents in apartment-housing with a package of services that includes: meals, housekeeping, homemaking / chores, shopping, transportation, social activities and some personal care assistance.
Some Enriched Housing Programs operate in a discrete building for ALL residents in the building, and these facilities and services are licensed and regulated by the New York State Health Department. Other Enriched Housing Programs provide the package of services for a limited number of residents in a senior or age-integrated apartment building; these buildings are not licensed, but the Enriched Housing Program operating in them is licensed and regulated by the Health Department.
Enriched Housing or Adult Home with Limited Licensed Home Care Agency
This housing provides the services and staffing of the State's licensed Enriched Housing or Adult Home programs and also provides residents with additional personal care and health-related services. The Limited Licensed Home Care Agency is licensed and regulated by the New York State Health Department.
Intergenerational Housing
This includes a specified number of units/apartments that are restricted to seniors, together with a specified number of units/apartments that are available to younger-aged persons/families. Often, the younger-aged persons belong to a special-needs population. Intergenerational housing may or may not include activities and supportive services for tenants. This housing is typically not licensed or regulated by a government agency. Subsidized versions may be supervised by a government housing agency.
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)
In recent years a phenomenon has occurred called "aging in place". Many older Americans age 60 and above are choosing to remain in their homes where they have been living, such as multi-unit apartments (NORCs), or neighborhoods (NNORCs). Due to this high concentration of seniors many NORCs/NNORCs have added activities, supportive assistance, counseling, health assessment and monitoring, transportation, congregate meals, home care facilitation and monitoring which enables them to "age in place".
Senior Housing (with no services)
This is housing that is restricted to seniors (and possibly younger adults with disabilities). It includes NO supportive services or staffing to address the special needs of aging residents. This housing is NOT licensed by a government agency. Subsidized versions may be supervised by a government housing agency.
Shared Living Residence
Housing for two to ten people who live together as a family. Residency may be restricted to seniors or may be intergenerational. This housing may be a shared single-family home or a shared apartment. Tenants share the finances and upkeep of the residence. Each has a private bedroom and bath. All share a common living room, dining room and kitchen. Shared living may or may not include activities, supportive services or personal care services for tenants.
Supportive Senior Housing
This is senior housing that includes one or more of the following non-licensed supportive services: meals / dining program, housekeeping / homemaking, transportation, socialization activities, laundry / linen services, various amenities and a resident advisor or services coordinator who helps tenants access other services and programs from community-based agencies. This housing is NOT licensed by a government agency. Subsidized versions may be supervised by a government housing agency.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO)
This is multi-unit housing for very-low-income persons that typically consists of a single room and shared bath and also may include a shared common kitchen and common activity area. SROs may be restricted to seniors or be available to persons of all ages. This housing is typically NOT licensed or regulated by a government agency. Subsidized versions may be supervised by a government housing agency.
Subsidized Housing
Housing in which tenants pay less than the going market rate for rent or for rent and services. Subsidized housing receives financial assistance from a government or other public entity to build or operate the development, or to help pay for some of the rent and utility costs or for the provision of services. Rent prices are typically set or approved by the entity that provides the financial support. People who meet specified household-income guidelines are eligible to live in subsidized housing.
Private Pay (Market Rate) Housing
Housing in which tenants pay the going rate for rent, utilities and services. Financial assistance is not received from a government or other public entity. Rents and service charges are determined by the development's operator. There are no income-eligibility guidelines. People willing and able to pay the specified rates and charges are eligible to live in private pay housing.