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Living Options

As you get older, many factors will influence your living arrangements, including health, family, and financial considerations. It is important to know your options in terms of physical location and healthcare costs.

Exploring Your Options

If you find that your physical limitations begin to interfere with your current living arrangements, there are a variety of options. Listed below are overviews of some of these alternatives. Research your options and specific facilities, taking note of any restrictions such as age or disability requirements and access to care.

Below you can review a number of living options.

Home Sharing

One option is to rent a room in your home. A renter might be able to assist with home maintenance, cooking, and cleaning. Renting a room in the home can also be a source of income.

Living With Family

Moving into a relative's home or a separate structure on a relative's property may be a way to share financial responsibilities and receive some support. A relative might also choose to move into your home and take on the role of a caregiver. In either case, modifications may need to be made to the home to make it more accessible for people with physical limitations.

Aging in Place

Aging in Place means growing older in one's own home. Applicable at any age, this is appealing for many people who prefer to remain close to their neighbors, local businesses, health care services, and other religious, social, and volunteer activities. Modifications to the home can help make day-to-day living easier for people with physical limitations. Additionally, community services may be available to help with outdoor home maintenance and meal preparation.

Active Adult Communities

Active adult communities are good options for people who are active and independent. Also referred to as an independent living community, this type of housing restricts the age limit to people over a certain age (usually 55 years old). The community typically has apartments, single-family homes, and townhouses, with amenities such as clubhouses, golf courses, tennis courts, and swimming pools.

Congregate Housing/Retirement Communities

This is a good option for older people who are still mobile and independent but would like some assistance with daily activities. People have their own apartments but join other residents for meals, games, and other social activities. Housekeeping and transportation may also be available.

Assisted Living Residences

Assisted living residences offer housing for seniors who cannot live independently but do not need skilled nursing services. The services provided might include bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, and transportation.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing care retirement communities offer service and housing packages that allow access to independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities all on one campus. A resident might start out living independently and transition to assisted living when more help is needed with daily activities. Residents can move into the skilled nursing facility if they need more ongoing care.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes (sometimes called skilled nursing facilities) provide long-term, skilled nursing care for residents, including medical and personal care as well as specialized meals. Nursing homes have physicians on staff, although they may work out of their off-site office; nursing assistants perform most of the day-to-day care. Speech, occupational, and physical therapists are also often on staff.

When considering your living options, keep in mind your home's proximity to a Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC).

Financing Long-Term Care: Plan Ahead

While many housing alternatives are available to fit your physical limitations, it's best to plan well in advance for the cost. Each person will have his or her own way to pay for housing; for the average American, it will mostly be out-of-pocket. Some families will use a combination of Social Security, veterans and other pensions, reverse mortgages, and savings. According to the American Elder Care Research Organization, roughly 5% of seniors have long-term care insurance to assist with the cost of senior housing. Others use public options such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Below you can review long-term care insurance options.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance can be very expensive and requires a long-term financial commitment. Insurers often limit who may purchase policies by using a principle of medical underwriting which legally limits access to those they consider to have expensive, higher-risk medical conditions. People with bleeding disorders should be aware that they may be denied coverage.

Important Information for People With Bleeding Disorders

People with bleeding disorders are finding it increasingly difficult to receive care from skilled nursing facilities. Skilled nursing facilities offer short-term care and inpatient rehabilitative services for patients recently discharged from a hospital. Skilled nursing facilities have the potential to facilitate recovery after surgery and ensure that any complications are adequately managed. People with bleeding disorders are being denied access because of concerns about the level of specialized care required, including factor infusions and the high cost of clotting factor. These difficulties exist regardless of insurance coverage and do not appear to be related to any additional health conditions such as human immunodeficiency disorder (HIV) or hepatitis C (HCV).

The NHF Is in Your Corner.

The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) is bringing attention to this problem and urging for policy changes. For more information, please call NHF's Research and Medical Information Department at 1-800-42-HANDI (800-424-2634).