Section 202 Affordable Housing for Seniors

As Baby Boomers reach retirement age and face a tough economy and tight finances, many are faced with losing their homes or needing to move to less-expensive housing. The US Government is attempting to answer this need by providing more affordable housing to seniors 65 or older on a fixed or low income through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and their section 202 housing program.

Section 202 housing is run by non-profit organizations who receive government funding in addition to the residents’ fees which are calculated based on individual income. These facilities are designed for seniors who are still able to live independently, but cannot afford mortgage payments or regular rent payments.

Finding Section 202 Facilities

The best place to start your search is online at the Department of Housing and Urban Development website which lists all section 202 facilities across the United States. First, determine your preferred location, and then plug in the city and state into the search page. This search will pull up a comprehensive listing of all section 202 low-income senior housing in that area.

Contact facilities

Once you have your list in hand, you can begin calling facilities. First, verify if the facility is still a part of the section 202 program. Each facility must meet specified requirements to maintain their eligibility to receive government funds, so always double check their current status in the program.

Check for vacancies

Second, check and see if they have any vacancies. Be sure to note if you have special needs such as ground level or elevator access or other handicap-accessible requirements. If your desired location does not have vacancies, ask if they can place you on their waiting list. It’s advisable to continue calling facilities on your list until you find several locations, so you can visit before making your final decision.

Make an appointment

Third, find out if you need to make an appointment in order to visit the facility. It’s a good idea to visit facilities as soon as possible as vacancies are usually snapped up quickly.

Ask about required documentation

Fourth, ask what documentation you need to bring with you in order to complete an application.
You will probably be asked to provide proof of identity and citizenship such as a birth certificate, driver’s license, or social security card. You will also need to show proof of low income such as your pay stubs, pension check stubs, bank statements, or social security statements. You may be asked to provide proof of medical expenses that impact your income such as medical bills or pharmacy receipts as well as a statement from your doctor saying that you are able to live independently. The facility may also ask for references from your previous landlords. If you will be applying to multiple facilities, you will need to make copies of each of these documents to give to each facility.

Ask a loved one to help

Fifth, because this search can take time and persistence to find a location that is in the right area and has a vacancy, it’s a good idea to get a friend or family member involved in the process. Be prepared to make a quick decision as the vacancies in section 202 housing facilities usually do not last long. Having a someone you trust with you in this decision process will provide a second perspective to help you if you are forced to decide quickly.

With a little persistence, you can find affordable senior housing. But don’t put it off until the last minute. Because of the high demand, vacancies are snapped up quickly. If possible, start your search before your funds run out, or while you can still wait for a vacancy in your preferred location.

Osteoarthritis: Senior Aches and Pains

The aches and pains we jokingly attribute to “getting older” may not be such a laughing matter for some seniors. When the pain and stiffness interrupts daily routines and makes it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, it may be time to check with your doctor. Your body may be prematurely slowing you down, and there may be a preventable or manageable cause: osteoarthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis that affects seniors. The pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis is caused primarily when the cartilage in the joints that usually acts as a cushion between bones becomes worn down and eventually disappears altogether, allowing the bones to rub against each other. Sometimes boney spurs form and muscles or ligaments attached to the bone become weak further compounding the problem.

What is the cause of osteoarthritis?

Science has not procured a single known cause of osteoarthritis, but research points to several contributing factors which increase your risk of having osteoarthritis:
Family history of osteoarthritis
Carrying excess weight
Fractures or joint injuries
Long-term over-use, repetitive motion, or high-impact sports activities

Patients who have any of the following medical conditions also have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis:
Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia
Disorders that inhibit blood circulation near a joint, such as avascular necrosis
Other types of arthritis such as chronic gout, pseudo gout, or rheumatoid arthritis

How do you know if you might be at risk for having osteoarthritis?

Symptoms of osteoarthritis::
Do you experience:

…deep aching joint pain in hands, knees, hips, or spine that worsens especially after exercising or gaining weight?

…a grating sensation in the joint when you move?

…pain even when you are at rest?

…an increase in pain during humid or rainy weather?

…visible joint swelling?

…any loss of mobility or range of motion?

…muscle weakness around painful joints?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, it doesn’t mean you have Osteoarthritis, but it does mean you should ask your doctor about it. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, so depending on how long you have had it, you may experience the above symptoms more or less severely. You may not experience all of the symptoms,, or you may not experience any of the symptoms, but you may still be at risk for having osteoarthritis. Since many ailments share similar symptoms, the above symptoms could indicate something else all together, but if you do experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor and ask about osteoarthritis.

Treatments
There are many helpful treatments available to reduce and slow down the effects of osteoarthritis with timely and proper treatment. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and which joints are affected, your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following treatment options:

Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers (Tylenol), nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), or the prescription drug, Celebrex, are the most commonly prescribed treatments for osteoarthritis patients. Long term use of the above medications can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, so use must be monitored by your doctor.

Corticosteroids are often injected right into painful, swollen joint to reduce pain and swelling, but are not usually prescribed as long-term solutions since they only relive pain for a limited time.

The dietary supplement, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, has reportedly provided some relief to some osteoarthritis patients. Often doctors recommend a 3 month trial period using this supplement to see if their patients improve.

A topically applied pain relief cream, Capsaicin (Zostrix) skin cream, may be prescribed. Patients often do not feel relief until after 1-2 weeks of consistent application to the painful joint.

Synvisc or Hyalgan, an artificial joint fluid is often injected directly into the joint. Pain relief from this treatment usually lasts 3-6 months.

Exercise
Based on the affected joints, a specialized exercise program may be recommended by your doctor. Appropriate exercise can help maintain or even increase your joint mobility, strength, and overall movement. Osteoarthritis patients are often encouraged to engage in water exercises such as swimming and water aerobics because they work the entire body, but are gentle on your joints.

Physical therapy
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist for physical therapy. A physical therapist knows specific exercises and stretches for strengthening the joints and connected muscles, increasing range of motion, and decreasing pain and inflammation. Your therapist may also recommend applying heat to relax your muscles or cold to reduce swelling, and a brace, splint, or wrap to help support or immobilize the joint properly. Improper support could lead to loss of mobility, increased stiffness, or injury, so you should always seek your doctor or physical therapist’s advice on appropriate supports.

Weight loss
Carrying extra pounds places more stress on the joints, so changes in diet and exercise may be recommended by your doctor to drop the extra pounds and relieve pressure on your joints. A healthy, well balanced diet and adequate rest will also promote healing in your muscles, ligaments and joints.

Workplace alterations
If your work causes excessive stress on certain joints, your doctor or physical therapist may recommend strategies to reduce trauma on your joints. Or you may need to request modifications be made to your work area to help you function without putting added strain on your joints.

Surgery
Severe cases of osteoarthritis may require surgery to replace or repair damaged joints. Surgery options are:

Hip or knee replacement
Arthroscopic surgery to trim torn and damaged cartilage (osteotomy)
Surgical fusion of bones, usually in the spine (arthrodesis)
Realignment of bones to relieve stress

Osteoarthritis doesn’t have to keep you down. The effects of “old age” might be reversible or at least improved. Ask your doctor about osteoarthritis.

Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Retirement Community

As seniors are living longer, and the retirement age is dropping, more and more seniors are looking to enjoy their retirement years traveling, exploring new interests, picking up old hobbies, and building relationships with other seniors. Many seniors choose to spend these golden years in a retirement community and enjoy the following benefits:

1. Social Community and Support of Other Seniors
After exiting the workforce and being relieved of family responsibilities, many seniors find themselves longing to develop relationships with those going through the same season of life. Retirement communities provide ample opportunities to meet and socialize with like-minded seniors. These relationships often end up sustaining and enriching many seniors as they savor their retirement years and experience such strong support from others who really understand and share their experiences.

2. Community Life
Many seniors are looking for an active community life that provides ample opportunities for seniors to explore interests and hobbies while enjoying relationships in a community setting. Game nights, social knitting and scrapbook groups, dance lessons, and outdoor activities are often at the heart of community life. Many retirement communities are build around or in close proximity to golf courses and provide swimming pools, tennis courts, walking trails for the seniors wishing to pursue those activities.

3. Serenity
Many seniors flock to retirement communities looking for a place of peace and quiet that is hard to find in general community living. Since the minimum age requirement of most retirement communities is 55, these communities are able to establish a serene sort of sanctuary for seniors not wishing to be disturbed by the noisy or immature: loud, obnoxious teenagers, crying infants, or yelling children. This peace and quiet holds a strong appeal for many seniors looking for a calm place to retreat.

4. Comfortable and Convenient Accommodations
Retirement communities provide various types of housing, but often many seniors have a desire to downsize without feeling cramped, so retirement centers usually provide housing options to suit your needs and desires as well as providing larger spaces for social gatherings and activities. Many seniors choose communities in a more comfortable climate depending on their preference and health needs. Also, many retirement communities are strategically situated close to shopping centers, grocery stores, and beauty salons, keeping most amenities within walking distance, or they provide regular transportation to retailers or services located farther away.

5. Beautiful Grounds and Pain Free Housing Maintanance
Retirement communities recognize and appreciate the need for beautiful, tidy grounds to create that sense of serenity that so many seniors are looking for but no longer want to devote hours every week to maintaining the home and yard. On site maintenance and grounds keeping is a perk many seniors appreciate.

Many seniors are choosing to enjoy their golden years in the comfort of a retirement community. After years of hard work, they’re finding opportunities to enjoy life like never before and to spend time on what’s really important: building relationships.

Active Seniors choose Independent Living

So, you’re looking for senior housing, but your loved one is in good health? That’s terrific! Today, there are hundreds of independent living options that cater to seniors with active lifestyles. Independent Living (also known as retirement communities) give healthy elders a sense of lifestyle flexibility and security. There are no lawns that need to be mowed; no doors that need to be rehung. Those details will be taken care of. So why not let your loved ones live in comfort?

So how does an active senior choose an independent living facility? Here is a roadmap:

Pick a Location!
What are you lolling for? Temperate weather? Proximity to family? Adventure and Activity? Get your thoughts down on paper and choose a city. This part is easy enough. Your loved ones probably already know what they are looking for. Help them narrow it down.

Choose a type of senior housing:
Do you want your family members to live in Rental Apartments or Manufactured Homes? Townhouses or Condominiums? These can be easily explored online or with a quick phone call.

List the types of amenities that are most important:
Not all independent living facilities are created equal. Some focus on spacious interiors, others on local activities. Does your loved one enjoy golf and shopping? Morning walks? Do they like to entertain? All of these should be listed and carefully thought through. And don’t think that you will have to nix half the items on your list. These things have been thought through and built into senior housing packages across the country. It’s okay to be choosey!

Take a visit to your top choices.
Of course, you can request a full information packet from these facilities first. But there is no substitute for a first hand look around. Ask for a tour in advance, and you’ll get one. These facilities are highly competitive, and want your business, so they will absolutely want to show you around!

Observe, observe, observe!
So many things to look for, but they’re obvious. How are residents treated? How nice are the units? How prepared is the local medical staff? What about security? Best to take a list of things to be looking for before you arrive, and to ask lots of questions if you can’t observe the answer right away. Feel free to be exceptionally curious!

Above all, trust the instincts of your loved one. Do they like the place a lot, or do they have reservations? Watch and listen to them. After all, you are serving and helping them make a decision, not making it for them. So help them think it through, and enjoy the process!