If you are a senior citizen who is faced with mounting housing payments, maintenance and medical costs, Medicare offers housing assistance options. Several housing options are: nursing home help, assisted living subsidized senior housing or housing supportive services.
Income-Based Housing Options
Seniors who are independent physically and have a low to moderate income may qualify for non-Medicare-funded federally subsidized senior housing. Seniors can receive non-medical housing care such as cooking, cleaning, reminders to take medication and laundry assistance. These essential services can be subcontracted through Medicare-paid home health agencies, according to the website Long Term Care At Home.
Be Aware of Costs
While Medicare may pay for partial housing costs or housing-related services, be aware of your costs. You may be required to spend down assets to qualify for housing assistance. The cost of senior housing can range from approximately $500 to $8,000 or more monthly, according to the Our Parents website. The cost of services rises according to the degree of your dependence.
Nursing Home Alternative
Medicare will pay for part of your housing costs if you need skilled nursing or require rehabilitation services. You will receive services from a Medicare-certified skilled nursing home after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days “just prior to entering a nursing home,” according to the Medicare nursing home website.
References
Writer Bio
Kevin Fobbs began writing professionally in 1975 and has been published in the "New York Times," "Detroit News," "Michigan Chronicle," "Soul Source" magazine and "Writers Digest" magazine. Fobbs obtained a political science and journalism degree from Eastern Michigan University and attended Wayne State University Law School.