Elderly Living Essay

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Using your text and any additional relevant readings, discuss the challenge of meeting the housing needs of those age 65 and older. Be sure to address in your response the issues of cost, amenities, location, and transportation as they relate to housing. The United States today offers people a large variety of housing options. These options make it possible for people to live in the kind of housing they prefer. Noninstitutional living arrangements include living alone, with a spouse, with other relatives, or with friends. Most live alone or with their spouse. Older people want to age in place. They want to stay in their homes as long as they can. A home means more than a physical place. To many older people their home reminds them of their family and their past. The rooms, the decorations, and the neighborhood give a person a feeling of security and well-being. Aging in place requires that people have the resources they need to live in the setting they choose. A lot of older people tend to live in their own homes. About half of older people’s homes have physical problems, which include problems with maintenance, plumbing, and kitchen equipment. Many older homeowners stay in their homes because they enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their homes. A home means security and independence to older people. Also selling a home may create a loss of tax savings and an increase in taxes because of an increase in a person’s liquid assets. Then increased liquid assets may make a person ineligible for certain health or income supports. Some people have little choice but to stay in their homes. People with physical problems, may have trouble getting around in a two-story, single-family home and they may be unable to maintain it. Stairs are very hard for older people to climb, which creates a problem. Apartments account for the greatest proportion of older

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