Congregate Housing

For Senior Citizens

Congregate housing and group living arrangements are available for rental to older persons in many communities. They are also sometimes known as Sheltered Housing or Enriched Housing. While you have your own private living quarters, including a kitchen for light meals and snacks, you routinely eat with others in a central dining facility. Typically, residents of congregate housing are usually expected to take care of personal needs, such as laundry. The home may provide housekeeping services, transportation to shopping areas, movies, speakers, and entertainment. If you are infirm or having trouble getting around, this type of arrangement relieves you of major cooking, housekeeping, and shopping responsibilities. Some may even offer health screening, personal care, or other types of assistance.

Congregate housing is distinguished from board and care homes by the presence of professional staff, such as social workers, counselors, or nutritionists, who help administer services and social activities. In some congregate homes, residents organize advisory councils to work with the staff on policies and home management.

The monthly rate for a unit in a congregate arrangement varies greatly. Often the rates are affected by a federal subsidy to help cover a percentage of the rental fee. Today, most congregate housing facilities are sponsored by nonprofit organizations and others are publicly assisted and may range in size from 35 to 300 units.

If you explore a congregate housing arrangement, visit the facility and talk to some of the residents before signing a contract. The enviroment, management, and staff of the facility probably will affect your feelings about living there. You should find satisfactory answers to the following questions:

Is there a flat rate for all services or can you pay for only those you use?
How many meals are provided during the week?
Is there a selection of entrees at meals and does the facility accommodate special dietary needs?
Can you prepare food in your own unit?
Is tray service provided in case you cannot get to the central dining room for a particular meal?
What services are provided in addition to meals?
- Housekeeping?
- Transportation?
- Social activities?
- A library?
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy?
- Counseling?
- Daily telephone monitoring?
- Recreational activities?
Are there additional costs for any of these services?
Will living in a congregate facility provide you with sufficient privacy?
Will you enjoy sharing meals with other residents?
Did you feel comfortable with the general atmosphere of the home during your visit?
Are there individual phones in each room, or on each floor or wing?
Are there restrictions on having visitors?
To what extent does the management assume responsibility for the security of your personal belongings?

It is not only the services -- such as nutritional programs -- that make congregate housing appealing. Without requiring you to give up your privacy and independence, congregate housing provides a source of companionship and group involvement. In addition, the facility makes an effort to monitor your health and well-being. You may have an increased sense of security knowing that assistance is available should you need it.

If you would like to become a sponsor or wish to advertise on Seniors-Site please contact us.