Housing in Old Age: What Are the Options?

Demographic change is progressing unstoppably – our population is getting older and older. Around 22% of Germans are currently 65 years and older¹. A considerable number of seniors live alone. This affects almost 6 million people². The housing demands of the "young old" have changed significantly in recent decades. On average, older people today are affected later by helplessness, frailty, and loneliness than previous generations. Instead of standard care, individual needs and wishes are increasingly being taken into account to find a suitable form of housing.

With increasing age, the risk of falling also increases. One in three people aged 65 and over falls once or several times a year³. More than half of those who fall are unable to get up on their own due to age-related physical limitations. It can take hours or even days until help arrives⁴. Since every second counts in an emergency, you should address the topic of living in old age early, especially if you live alone.

Individual living in your own home

If you are still fit and manage well in old age, you can safely continue to live in your own home and manage your daily life independently. For minor limitations, moving is not necessarily required; often, a senior-friendly renovation and a little help from outside are enough for a comfortable life in your own home.

Individual living instead of standard care!

In some cases, individual renovations may be necessary to make the living space barrier-free and thus safe. Living areas such as the kitchen or bathroom are particularly important here. A stairlift can also be a good option to overcome height differences.

Should you find that some renovations are necessary, you have various options for obtaining support. For example, people in need of care who have a care level can receive up to 4,000 euros for age-appropriate, barrier-free renovations from their long-term care insurance fund. Do not hesitate to inquire about this with your long-term care insurance fund.

Safety in your own home with Gardia emergency bracelet

An emergency call system can help you quickly call for help in an emergency. Better than a conventional emergency call system is the Gardia emergency call bracelet with automatic fall detection. This allows you to call for help almost anywhere in Europe, at any time, and should you fall, the automatic fall detection triggers an emergency call and immediately informs your emergency contacts or the professional 24/7 emergency call center.

Living at home with care by relatives

This form of care allows seniors to remain in a familiar environment and maintain their independence while receiving the necessary support and care. However, it is important to note that care by relatives can also bring challenges, and it is beneficial to organize support and relief for the caring relatives. Health insurance companies and care services offer special care courses to facilitate outpatient care and, of course, to impart the necessary knowledge. A whole range of other outpatient services can facilitate care at home, such as meals on wheels or household help.

Staying in your own environment promotes health and well-being.

Living at home with professional care

If care by relatives is not possible, an outpatient care service can be commissioned. Professional caregivers can support seniors with daily activities such as personal hygiene, medication intake , and meal preparation . They can also offer special care services such as nursing care and therapies. This type of care is promoted by state or private long-term care insurance with long-term care benefits if a care level is present. These amount to up to 2,095 euros per month , depending on the care level – inquire with your long-term care insurance fund.

In addition to outpatient care, 24/7 care with a private caregiver is also possible. This is particularly advantageous for people with certain illnesses, such as dementia.

Home care for the elderly: Advantages and disadvantages

 

Assisted living

Assisted living is a form of housing for seniors in which they live in their own apartment but have access to a variety of services and support . These services can vary depending on the facility but often include

• care and support services,

• meals,

• cleaning,

• household support , and

• social activities.

Assisted living offers older people a good opportunity to maintain their independence while receiving the support and care they need. It can also be a good alternative for seniors who do not want to move into a nursing home but still need support. The costs for assisted living are usually borne by the residents themselves, but there are also options for financing through state or private long-term care insurance.

A home where you feel safe and cared for.

Senior shared living communities

In recent years, the idea of senior shared living communities has become increasingly widespread. This is a form of housing in which older people join together and live together in an apartment or house. Each person has their own room, and the common rooms, such as the kitchen or living room, are shared.

In contrast to classic nursing homes, senior shared living communities offer residents greater independence and autonomy in everyday life. Residents not only share the costs of rent and utilities but also household chores. This creates a sense of community that strengthens both social interaction and a feeling of security and provides a better quality of life.

Rediscover living in old age: In a senior shared living community, you experience community, self-determination, and quality of life.

How to found a senior shared living community?

In general, there are various options for how senior shared living communities can be organized. On the one hand, residents can independently take on planning and organization and move into the living spaces together. Alternatively, one or more caregivers can be brought in to establish a care shared living community. In this case, care benefits in combination with a care level can be utilized to expand financial flexibility.

More safety with the Gardia emergency bracelet

If you opt for an outpatient living arrangement, safety is one of the most important factors for a carefree life in old age. Unlike inpatient facilities, in outpatient living arrangements, there isn't always someone on site who can help in an emergency. For example, if you don't have a phone at hand and no one is nearby, it can be difficult to call for help in an emergency.

The mobile Gardia emergency call wristband with fall detection can help you anytime, anywhere! Consisting of an elegant wristband with simple operation and an app for emergency contacts, Gardia ensures more safety at home and on the go. If you fall, Gardia automatically triggers an emergency call, and you are connected to your emergency contacts or a professional contact person at the emergency call center within seconds. This way, you receive the help you need in the shortest possible time, and the best part is that you don't have to take Gardia off on vacation, as the emergency call wristband works almost throughout Europe, always and everywhere.

Inpatient Living Arrangements

In some cases, home care is not feasible for various reasons. In such situations, inpatient care can be the best solution. However, it does not necessarily always have to be permanent, full-time inpatient care according to § 43 SGB XI. There are also temporary options that can be considered.

Short-term care is usually used when a person in need of care suddenly becomes dependent on care, and the health insurance company pays for accommodation in an inpatient care facility.

Respite care applies when the caregiver is on vacation or cannot ensure care for other reasons. In this case, the long-term care insurance fund covers the costs of substitute care.

For caring relatives who cannot be there for the person in need of care around the clock, there is day and night care. In day care, the person in need of care is picked up by a transport service and spends the day in a senior facility while relatives can go about their work. Night care is suitable for seniors who do not like to be alone at night or suffer from a disturbed day-night rhythm.

In a retirement home, older people can maintain their independence and at the same time benefit from loving care.

Nursing and Retirement Homes: Round-the-clock care

Full-time inpatient elderly care in retirement homes or nursing homes ensures comprehensive and individually adapted care around the clock. This type of care is a suitable choice when there is an increased need for care and home care is not possible.

In general, the terms "retirement home" and "nursing home" are often used synonymously. However, there is a difference in the meaning of the two terms.

A retirement home is usually an institution where older people can live if they are no longer able to live alone. These are often apartments or flats that are specially adapted to the needs of older people. A retirement home often also has common rooms and activities that are offered to residents.

A nursing home, on the other hand, is an institution where people live who are in need of care due to physical or mental limitations and require comprehensive support. Specially trained nursing staff work here who are available to residents around the clock. A nursing home often also has medical facilities such as a doctor or nurse who are available to residents if required.

In many cases, retirement homes can also offer nursing services if residents need them. However, it is important to note that not every retirement home is also a nursing facility and not every nursing home also offers living accommodation for seniors.

Which living arrangement is right for me?

There is a variety of living arrangements in old age, and the choice depends on various factors. When making a decision, legal and financial questions should be considered, in particular the financing of the living arrangement and the different benefits of the long-term care insurance funds depending on the care level.

The choice of the appropriate living arrangement in old age depends on many individual factors, such as the degree of care dependency, personal needs, financial situation, and social environment. To make the right decision, it can be helpful to seek professional advice.

You can contact a care advisory center, a social service, or an independent consumer advisory service to get information about the different living arrangements and their advantages and disadvantages. A personal visit and getting to know the facilities can also help to make a decision.

Whatever you decide – always think about your safety!

Further Information