For some elderly, the answer is staying put and taking advantage of community services such as Meals on Wheels that are designed to help people remain in their homes. For others, a move is in order. And while nursing homes, especially those in Florida, are facing problems staying afloat for various reasons, continuing care retirement communities seem to be thriving, according to Pienta. These full-service facilities are designed to offer various levels of care in a single setting. In Volusia and Flagler counties there are more than 100 facilities that bill themselves as retirement centers, life-care communities, assisted living facilities, or some variation on the theme.
Prices vary accordingly, and government assistance is available for some low-income seniors.
But according to the listings included in the Assisted Living Facility Guide, published by the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, Inc., only a handful of facilities locally are available to accommodate those low-income seniors who qualify for the state assistance. And some do. But for the rest, there are typically two scenarios that occur. But the decision to move to a setting that's specifically designed for the elderly, no matter how nice, can be difficult. You're admitting to yourself you can't do everything you used to do for yourself.