Independent Supportive Living typically describes apartment-style
accommodations that provide supportive services such as housekeeping, meal
preparation and/or communal dining, social and recreation programs, 24-hour
emergency response, shopping assistance and transportation. The tenure is
usually on a rental basis often with a standard service package included in the
rent. There is usually a menu of optional fee-for-services made available as
well. In some cases, the units are fully "self-contained" (each having its own
kitchen) so that the meal program might be optional.
Supportive Housing, Abbeyfield Houses and Congregate Care Homes fit within
the Independent Supportive Living Category on The Care Guide. Supportive Housing
combines building features and on site services to enable people to remain
living independently. It typically includes individual units with lockable
doors, large communal areas for dining and socializing, and services such as
meals and housekeeping. Supportive housing includes small-scale settings such as
Abbeyfield and Group Homes or large scale settings referred to as Congregate
Housing. Supportive housing may be owned and operated by private or not for
profit housing providers. Rents are wide ranging including some buildings where
rent is geared to income. For example, BC Housing now offers a supportive
housing program, which is designed to enable low-income seniors to live
independently as long as possible, and rent is 30% of income.
BC Housing states:
"Independent Living BC will create 3,500 homes encompassing two types of
housing: independent housing with some support services, and assisted living for
those who need a greater level of care such as seniors and people with
disabilities. Independent living offers a middle option to bridge the gap
between home care and institutional care. The units are part of the provincial
government's New Era commitment to provide 5,000 new intermediate and long-term
care beds by 2006."
The Care Guide includes Congregate Care Homes in our Independent Supportive
Living Provider Listings.
Additional
Resources:
Independently Healthy:
A special publication on BC seniors' changing housing and care needs
BC Housing is proud
to partner with the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers to present this
special publication on seniors' changing housing and care needs. This 16-page
guide provides seniors and families with information on a variety of available
housing options.
To download a copy of
Independently Healthy, please
click here. (Adobe PDF - 3 MB) - please be
patient as this document may take a few minutes to download.