It’s hard to know where to start when you’re looking for a retirement community, or the kind of in-home services needed to continue living in your own home. A seemingly endless number of communities and service providers make it tough to sort through the options.
Social service agencies are often a good place to start. Sometimes overlooked as a resource, these organizations usually keep lists of seniors-only communities.
Some agencies own and manage buildings. Social service agencies also have access to lots of information about housing and other issues.
“Our mission is to help older people,” said Becky Lerfelt, assistant director, PLOWS Council on Aging, in Palos Heights. Social service agencies come in several varieties. Many are affiliated with religious organizations. Some are independent, non-profit groups. Others are run by the local, federal or state government.
Funding sources may vary, but social service agencies are usually dedicated to helping whomever calls. In other words, you don’t need to be Jewish to ask for help from the Council for Jewish Elderly. Not only Catholics call Catholic Charities for help.
For example, about half of the low- to moderate-income apartments owned or managed by Catholic Charities are rented by non-Catholics.
“We offer apartments to people of all faiths,” said William G. D’Arcy, residential housing manager at Catholic Charities.
A good example of a full-service agency is PLOWS Council on Aging.
PLOWS is not affiliated with a religious group, but, like most service agencies, it assists residents of a particular geographic area. PLOWS serves 19 municipalities in the southwest suburbs. The group’s name, incidentally, derives from Palos, Lemont, Orland Park and Worth. Here are some of the services offered by PLOWS:
– Referrals. Seniors or a family member can call and talk with a case manager. The case manager can link callers to the appropriate resource. This could be for housing, health care, home maintenance or even help in filling out tax returns.
– Housing lists. PLOWS maintains up-to-date lists of assisted-living facilities, nursing homes and moderately priced apartments.
– In-home care. The agency keeps lists of health-care providers that offer in-home services. PLOWS also maintains a clearinghouse of individuals who are willing to work for older people. Worker references have been checked.
– Escort program. Seniors are linked to drivers who are willing to provide transportation to doctors appointments.
– Shared housing. PLOWS is one of a handful of agencies in the Chicago area that participates in a shared-housing program. Seniors who own a home and need extra income are matched with someone who needs a place to live.
– Section 8 certificates. Low-income individuals can receive assistance with applications for a Section 8 subsidized housing voucher. PLOWS also works with area landlords who accept Section 8.
– Home-delivered meals. Meals are provided to seniors, or seniors are referred to another agency that can deliver meals.
– Assessments. A family member may realize a senior needs help at home, but is unsure of the best approach. Case workers can make an in-home visit to evaluate the senior and recommend services.
Social service agencies don’t all offer the same services. But if the agency doesn’t offer a particular service you need, staff members can usually suggest an alternative provider.
The cost of a service may depend upon your income. Many social service agencies use a sliding scale for fees. The higher your income, the higher the hourly rate will be for a service such as in-home care. For example, depending on your income, in-home care may range anywhere from $4 to $12 an hour.
Social service agencies sometimes own or operate buildings. The buildings may be nursing homes, assisted-living facilities or apartments. Also, rents may vary widely.
Some buildings are called “affordable” (the rent is relatively low) because of a government subsidy. Other buildings may offer rents at market rates. In other words, residents pay the full cost.
The Council for Jewish Elderly, for example, owns six apartment buildings for independent seniors. Most are government-subsidized and have low rents. The Council for Jewish Elderly also operates several assisted-living facilities, a nursing home and a center for people with early Alzheimer’s disease.
Catholic Charities operates 12 apartment buildings and a nursing home. All the apartments are designed for those with low to moderate incomes.
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois operates seniors-only buildings in Joliet and Rockford.
Resources
– PLOWS Council on Aging (708-361-0219) offers assistance and referrals to seniors in the southwest suburbs.
– The Chicago Department on Aging (312-744-4016) has a resource guide of public and private housing in the city for seniors. Free assessments by case workers are also available. Meals, life enrichment and recreational programs are offered too.
– Catholic Charities (312-655-7000) has a senior specialist on staff to answer questions.
– The Center of Concern (847-823-0453) has three social workers on staff to help seniors find services and housing. A home-sharing program also is available, plus lists of subsidized housing developments in the northwest suburbs.
– Resource Center for the Elderly (847-577-7070) assists residents of the northwest suburbs in search of affordable housing. The group participates in a home-sharing program.
– Council for Jewish Elderly (773-508-1000) has assisted-living units, apartment buildings and a nursing home. The group also conducts adult day programs and arranges in-home services.
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Jane Adler is a Chicago-area freelance writer. If you have questions or information to share regarding housing for senior citizens, write to Senior Housing c/o Chicago Tribune Real Estate Section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Or e-mail adler@corecomm.net
