Unit 4 question 2: List three residential options for older adults. Identify the characteristics of the aging adult as they apply to making decisions about these options.

Choosing housing options is a crucial decision for aging adults. The housing choice made
will determine how safe, comfortable, and satisfied they will be in the future. A wise decision is
thus expected by thinking carefully about individual needs. Some of the factors to consider
include the cost of the housing option, the lifestyle, and the health of the individual (Boyd &
Bee, 2014). Luckily, there are many residential options to choose from.

Owning a Home.

Stand-alone houses, mobile houses, and condominiums are the choices available for this
option. Individuals who own homes live by their own means without external dependence. They
can also receive support while in their home and from the community in which they live. Reducing the
size of the house is always a common alternative as the space required is not much. However,
this choice depends on an individual’s confidence in their ability to watch out for their health and
meet financial obligations. Remaining close to one’s loved ones is the main benefit of this option.
Older adults are also able to maintain social ties from their already-created networks. To some
individuals, keeping their homes as an asset for financial security is also vital (Boyd & Bee,
2014). Older adults also have attachments to places such as local shopping areas and places of
worship. As such, they desire to continue visiting those places. Some older adults have
cultivated great relationships with professionals in their area, such as physicians and lawyers.
They enjoy an advantage if they continue living closer to these professionals. Others may simply
value the seclusion offered by their own homes. Owning a home also comes with its fair share of
challenges. The individual has to meet both the physical and monetary requirements to run the
home. The financial challenge may be greater in cases where the individual relies on a single
source of income.

Renting a Home.

Renting a home is an attractive choice due to the availability of a variety of older adult–
friendly features at the homes. Houses to be rented may belong to the government or individuals.
These houses have been built specifically for older adults, mostly above fifty-five years old
(Boyd & Bee, 2014). The houses may belong to individuals by themselves, or they can be
shared. The benefits offered by this choice are there is a wide variety of houses to choose from. It
also frees older adults from the difficult financial and physical responsibilities required to
maintain a home. When individuals have previous homes, selling them provides them with some
money to fund their future expenses. Challenges may include having to face restrictions from the
actual homeowners, such as on keeping pets. In some societies, such homes can be quite
expensive.

Group Living Arrangements.

Individuals here are kept with other old adults and receive support from various activities
in their daily lives. These activities include taking showers, eating, and dressing, going to bed,
and going to the toilet. When settling for this option, one needs to get all the information on the
home to gauge whether it meets personal needs. The main benefit is the social network available
to the person (Boyd & Bee, 2014). This setting is a challenge for those who need specialized
care. Those who value their seclusion may not like it.