Living in Old Age

Where to go when things aren't as easy to handle in old age? Straight to a retirement or even a nursing home? Or stay in your own apartment, your own house, and get help from outside? Form a senior living community or try something completely new and enjoy your retirement under palm trees?

Our society is getting older. The number of people in need of care is increasing year by year. At the same time, many "elderly" remain both physically and mentally fit well into old age. There is now a wide range of living options for seniors, so that something suitable can be found for every need and requirement.

With this post, we are starting a series of articles , in which we regularly present to you the wide range of housing options for seniors in detail. We begin with a general overview.

Nursing home

Intended as a type of living that meets the needs of older people and provides them with care and attention. However, in many retirement or senior citizens' homes today, the focus is on care. This has led to these homes often being equated with nursing homes. There is, however, a significant difference. In a retirement or senior citizens' home, one is also admitted if there is no proven need for care. This means that older people who can still take care of themselves can be admitted to a retirement or senior citizens' home.

Nursing Home

It is completely different in nursing homes. Anyone who needs or wants a place here must be a care case according to the state guidelines.

Living with Assistance

If you prefer to stay in your own home, you can get help. Under the umbrella of the Federal Working Group "Housing for Help Germany," there are numerous living partnerships between the young and the old. One example is the "Housing for Help" initiative in Munich. Here, the Munich Student Union provides affordable housing for students with seniors. In return, the students assist the elderly with everyday tasks, such as visiting the doctor, shopping, mowing the lawn, and more.

Assisted Living

The range of the concept of "assisted living" extends from support in one's own home to additional services such as janitorial services, emergency call systems, on-call care services, and much more in specialized senior apartments in senior centers. Always in line with the motto: "As much independence as possible and as much help as necessary.

Senior Residence or Elderly Home

What sounds like pure luxury is unfortunately not a protected term. There are indeed facilities that use this designation solely for advertising purposes. But if a senior residence or a senior home lives up to what the name promises, the seniors here can expect an ambiance reminiscent of luxurious hotels. In addition to their own senior-friendly apartments or rooms, residents usually also have access to cozy lounges, fireplace rooms, event halls, fitness rooms, an extensive wellness offering, and much more.

Senior Citizens' Shared Apartment

A form of living that was reserved for students until a few years ago is becoming increasingly popular among seniors. Several seniors share an apartment or house and do what students have always done: they share living space, household chores, and are there for each other. One of the most famous housemates is Bremen's former mayor Dr. Henning Scherf. The 79-year-old has been living in such a shared apartment for 25 years.

Moving to the Children

Just a few years ago, living in a large family was the norm. Children can support their own parents or in-laws in managing daily life, and in return, grandparents look after the grandchildren. Generally speaking, it's a good form of living: It protects seniors from loneliness and helps the sandwich generation balance family and work. Moreover, it is usually more cost-effective than living in a retirement home. However, there are also challenges here that should not be underestimated.

Multigenerational House

The concept of a multigenerational house is very similar to living with one's own children. Here, older and younger people live under one roof, each in their own apartment. However, there is also a common room, which serves as a meeting point for all residents and thus all generations. In this room, the various activities that make up the concept of the multigenerational house take place. These range from childcare services for children and teenagers to training opportunities for adults.

Care Abroad

Being cared for under palm trees. Sunshine every day. A dream—not just for seniors. The range of nursing homes abroad stretches from the facility just across the border in the Czech Republic, Poland, or Spain to those in Thailand. The advantages are obvious: not only is medical care usually more affordable, but so are personnel costs. This has the effect of allowing seniors to receive more intensive care. However, what sounds like a dream also has its pitfalls. One of them is the distance. Regular visits to parents become more challenging.

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