You may want to think about senior housing if you want to live on your own, but don't want to have all the chores that go along with having a home. It's also a great option for people who want to live in a community with other seniors.

Depending on the community you choose, you can rent an apartment either at the market rate or if your income level applies, a lower rate. They are often specially designed with things like railings in bathrooms or power outlets higher up on the wall. They may also offer a 24-hour emergency call service if residents need help right away. Some places may also offer different kinds of services to the people who live there like meals, transportation, social activities and other programs.  “New LifeStyles, The Source for Seniors,” is a national organization that publishes in each state.  They also provide an efficient website that will help you find facilities, providers and services within your geographic region.  You may use this site without registering: http://www.newlifestyles.com/

Use this site to find Continuing Care Retirement Communities, home-related services, Assisted Living, Special Care and Alzheimer’s units and nursing homes.  If you register, they will ask you for personal information (such as annual household income) and you may or may not want to disclose that.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities, or CCRCs, offer a few types of services - all in one location, which gives a person the chance to stay in one place if even his or her needs change. CCRCs offer a range of services including nursing and other health services; meals; housekeeping; transportation; emergency help; and personal care. They also usually have lots of social and educational activities on site.

CCRCs are also different from other types of housing options for older people because they offer you a contract that says the CCRC will provide you with housing and services for life. Most CCRCs require a one-time entrance fee and then monthly payments thereafter. These fees vary by community, depending on the type of housing and services they offer. Other CCRCs operate on a rental basis, in which you would make monthly payments, but would not have to pay an entrance fee.

Todd Johnston, an attorney in CCRC matters, has written an article on CCRCs, contract types and what to look for in New Jersey.  You can find this on the web: Click here


Assisted Living
If a person needs some help every day, but not constant nursing care, assisted living may be a good choice. Assisted living residences provide help with the things people need to do every day, such as bathing or getting dressed, taking medicine, cooking, shopping, housekeeping, laundry and getting around. But, they do all of this while still giving a person the chance to stay active and control your own life.

Assisted living facilities may be part of a retirement community or nursing home, or they may stand alone. They offer single or double rooms, or sometimes even suites or apartments, depending on a person's needs and how much he or she can afford.

Nursing Homes
Nursing homes offer round-the-clock care if someone is too sick to live on their own, or if they need to recover after having an illness or operation. Some people stay for a short time in a nursing home and then go home. Other people may need more care.

Nursing homes are licensed by the state to provide nursing care, personal care and medical services. They also offer different kinds of therapies to help a person recover after an illness or surgery. They provide meals, and do your laundry and housekeeping. Finally, nursing homes offer different kinds of activities like art classes and religious services to help residents socialize and make it a place they can call home.

The State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services provides this resource:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/ltc/cgi/facilitysearch.shtml (a guide from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services on choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility)

Affordable Housing and the Process for Application
You may qualify to receive the benefits from government subsidized housing.  In order to find out whether your qualify, the best course of action is to apply directly at the building that interests you.  For a list of buildings in New Jersey that offer government-subsidized rent support, go to:       

http://www.njhousing.gov (a guide from the Department of Community Affairs in New Jersey, which walks you through the process and locations of affordable housing throughout the state)