Housing for the aging a timely concern

AVIVA GOELMAN

I asked Lillian Gorbaty, a member of the Costa Mesa Senior Center, to

discuss the questions and concerns seniors are faced with as they get

older. One of her chief concerns was senior housing.

“In the year 2005, life expectancy is 77.3 years,” she said. “The

old elderly, over the age of 85, include 4.9 million of us. As one

gets older, housing becomes a problem. After selling the family home

because it cannot be maintained, where do seniors relocate? How can

we address affordable housing for seniors and address the needs of

the aging population?”

I am sure many seniors are faced with similar concerns. There are

four housing options available to the aging population:

* Assisted living, also known as residential facilities, may serve

anywhere from 50 to 300 senior citizens. These are for people with

mild physical or cognitive impairment. Rooms are private or

semi-private with community dining rooms, and they offer housekeeping

services, social activities and oftentimes include transportation to

medical appointments.

* Board and care facilities are residential in nature, housing

four to six adults in private or semi-private rooms. They provide

24-hour care and supervision for those who need assistance with

activities of daily living. Some include social activities and

transportation to medical appointments.

* Shared living is for those who cannot afford assisted living or

board and care. Participants share a room with one other person.

Shared housing is part of the Senior Meals Program. They can be

reached at (714) 894-9779.

* Affordable housing is also available. Bethel Towers, a Housing

and Urban Development Section 8 housing complex, is available at

approximately $400 per month for a studio apartment, but has a

waiting list of two to three years. Other affordable housing goes for

approximately $1,200 to $1,400 per month.

If you have any further questions regarding housing, please

contact our social worker, Charu Moody, at the Costa Mesa Senior

Center at (949) 645-2356. She will be happy to work with you.

Lillian added one more thing about housing: “The senior center in

my hometown has a slogan: Life is hard by the yard. By the inch, it’s

a cinch.”

Lillian also voiced concerns. Seniors with failing vision are

presented with many changes, such as loss of driving capability.

Impaired hearing seems to affect their responses to oral interchange;

and seniors with memory lapses may experience confusion. These are

all major challenges that we encounter on a daily basis at the

center. I will address them in future articles.

You can bargain with us at our flea market on May 21 from 8 a.m.

to 1 p.m. in the Senior Center parking lot at 695 W. 19th St., Costa

Mesa. The center’s flea market is one of our fundraisers. The center

relies on these events to help finance the numerous services that are

such a vital part of our members’ lives. Bring your family and

friends, and remember: someone else’s junk could become your special

treasure.

To all mothers: Mothers believe in their children forever and love

them even longer. Mothers are strong and gentle at the same time and

make the difference in the lives they touch and in the world around

them.

Wishing you all a happy Mother’s Day.

* AVIVA GOELMAN is the executive director of the Costa Mesa Senior

Center and will write occasional columns about the center, its

members and senior issues.