Table 1: Selected Contemporary Housing Options for Older Persons

Housing Option Characteristics Availability in

Lexington-Fayette
County
House Conversion Addition of a small separate living unit within Option currently
a detached single family residence. not available in
Includes accessory
Lexington due to
apartments; granny
legislation. There is
flats; garage
interest from
conversion and
grassroots’
temporary home
initiatives to
care suites.
explore rezoning
policy to support
this option.
Elder Cottage Small permanent or temporary residences Option currently
Housing placed on the grounds of or attached to an not available in
Opportunity (ECHO) existing housing unit Lexington due to
legislation. There is
interest from
grassroots’
initiatives to
explore rezoning
policy to support
this option.
Family Care Homes Community housing limited to 2-3 residents; Option currently
managed by an owner-operator. Living space not available in
is a private home; usually shared bedroom; Lexington.
access to all living space in the home.
Typically includes non-professional supportive
services -24-hour supervision; can receive
assistance with activities of daily living (i.e.,
bathing, eating).
Independent Apartments (frequently high rise or multistory Option currently
Housing housing) designed especially for older adults available in
or persons with disabilities. Various sources Lexington but quite
Includes public
of funding ranging from HUD, USDA, and Low limited in
housing for older
Income Housing Tax Credit Programs through availability.
adults, low interest
private sector construction. Often a
loan construction
congregate housing providing
(Section 202) and
accommodation but with limited services.
various federally
supported rental
housing support
options (Section 251
and Section 8).
Planned Retirement Large scale, sometimes gated communities Option currently
Communities where many older adults reside in an age available. There are
exclusive and generally socially homogeneous many choices for
environment with a wide array of services retirement
and amenities provided and a leisure oriented communities in
lifestyle and culture. Lexington.
Assisted Living Non-medical living environments providing Option currently
accommodation, meals, and 24-hour available. There are
Considerable overlap
protective oversight and personal care a few choices in
with other options
services. Grounded in a philosophy of assisted living
including board and
providing both private and public space for facilities in
care homes and
residents and an array of routine and Lexington.
some types of
specialized services in a setting that
contemporary
maximizes resident autonomy over their life
independent
and care. Limited medication management
congregate housing.
and health/nursing/related services are
Considerable
provided. Predominantly private pay.
definitional and
regulatory variation
by state.
Shared & Co- Variants include: (1) third party-arranged Option currently
Housing sharing of a residence by two or more available in
generally unrelated individuals, (2) Lexington but quite
intergenerational house sharing (e.g. students limited in
living with older adults receiving reduced rent availability.
in exchange for providing practical assistance
and companionship to an older adult), (3) co-
housing communities based on older adults
coming together with like-minded people to
design and manage their own shared housing
in a spirit of collaboration and with the intent
of creating a mutually supportive community
Provides an option to counteract isolation
and potential loneliness in a situation of
shared living with mutual exchange and
support.
The Village model Resident initiated and member operated Option currently
communities focused on service provision, not available in
member engagement and peer support. Core Lexington.
characteristics are grassroots based,
membership driven, self-governing, self-
supporting, involving vetted discount
providers, providing services, and fostering
social activities and engagement.
Continuing Care Merges independent housing with assisted Option currently
Retirement living, special care units (e.g. a dementia care available in
Community wing or unit) and skilled nursing care facilities Lexington but quite
Campuses on a single campus. This model is designed to limited in
provide a continuum of care consistent with availability.
Sometimes called life
changing medical needs and facilitate a form
care communities
of aging in place. The idea is that individuals
move to progressively higher levels of care as
their needs increase. Guarantee of lifetime
shelter and care. Generally expensive.
 Personal care homes Community housing-many have professional Options currently
staff. Usually many residents. Limited number available. There are
of beds applied for by the owner and granted many choices for
by the state; usually private or shared personal care
bedrooms with congregate living space. Non- homes in
professional support services-24-hour Lexington.
supervision; can receive assistance with daily
activities (i.e., bathing, eating).
Skilled Nursing Care needs determined by assessment; Options currently
Facilities usually include therapies. Medicaid—“high available. There are
intensity” many choices for
May also be called
skilled nursing
subacute, rehab or
facilities in
extended care
Lexington.
Memory care facility Memory care is a distinct form of skilled Options currently
nursing care designed to meet the specific available. There are
May also be called
needs of a person with Alzheimer's disease, a few choices in
dementia care
dementia or other types of memory memory care
facility
problems. facilities.
Adapted from a few sources including: Rowles, G.D. (in press). Housing for older adults. In A.S. Devlin (Ed.).
Environmental Psychology and Human Well-being: Effects of Built and Natural Settings. Amsterdam: Elsevier. and
Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living. (2017-2018). Pathways central KY: A resource guide
for mature adults and their families. Available at http://www.bgaaail.com/docs/pathways.pdf

Table 2. Additional Resources

Age Friendly Lexington: AARP Livable Communities:
https://www.agefriendlylexington.org/ https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/

WHO Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities: Bluegrass Area Development District:
http://www.who.int/ageing/projects/age_fri http://bgadd.org/
endly_cities_network/en/
i know expo: Fayette County Aging and Disability Services:
http://iknowexpo.org/ https://www.lexingtonky.gov/departments/agi
ng-services