As the cost of maintaining a house rises and the energy to perform maintenance tasks declines, many people find themselves considering making a change in their living situation.  In some cases, that may mean just moving to a smaller home with less maintenance while for others it may  entail a more drastic change. Below is a brief glossary of some of the common "senior housing" terms.

• Accessory Apartment: A separate living unit inside a single-family home. This is a popular option for people who want to have the privacy of their own home with the convenience of having someone close by.
  
• Assisted Living/Residential Care Home: A residential living facility with services that include meals, laundry, housekeeping, dispensing of medications, and assistance with "Activities of Daily Living" (bathing, grooming, eating, using the toilet, getting dressed, etc.). Most states require these facilities to be licensed. Most of these facilities are paid for with private funds. They range in size from small homes with a few residents to large, full service facilities.
  
• Continuing Care Retirement Community: A community that is planned to accommodate a continuum of housing and services for seniors, often including independent living,  congregate housing, assisted living and skilled nursing care. The contract often includes either an entry fee or a buy-in plus monthly fees which may change according to the level of care required. Entry fees may or may not be refundable. CCRCs are usually state licensed.
  
• Independent Living: Multi-unit senior housing which may or may not include other services, such as meals, housekeeping, social activities and transportation, but not personal care.
  
• Life Care Community: A CCRC which offers a contract to provide all levels of care, often including acute care and physician's visits. Except for cost-of-living increases, there is usually no change in the monthly fee, regardless of the level of medical care required by the resident.
  
• Nursing Home/Convalescent Home: A licensed facility that provides round-the-clock nursing care, room and board, and activities for residents. Regular medical supervision and rehabilitation therapy is required. Nursing homes are eligible to participate in the Medicaid program.
  
• Senior Apartment: Age-restricted multi-unit apartments for older adults who are able to care for themselves. Usually there are no services provided other than those common to other types of apartments, such as maintenance, trash and snow removal, etc.
  
• Subsidized Senior Housing: Multi-unit housing restricted to those age 62 and older, or those with permanent disabilities, who qualify based on income. The monthly expenses are fixed and maintenance is provided, but there are no personal services. Graystone, Windsor Hollow, Colodny's and Gates Street Village Apartments are subsidized senior housing units in the town of Hartford.
  

     Most subsidized senior housing developments in our area have a lengthy waiting list. It may take two years to make it to the top of the list so don't wait until you are desperate to move to apply.  There is no single place to apply for subsidized senior housing and you cannot apply at the housing itself. Each one has a professional management firm that must be contacted for an application form. After you fill out the application form, the management firm will either confirm your eligibility and inform you of your status, or tell you that you are not eligible. If you are told you are not eligible, you may request a written explanation. If you are on a waiting list, be sure to respond to any requests for updated information. If you change your address and don't notify the management firm, you may be dropped from the waiting list without notice.
     For more information, please call Melanie Ferrell at the Bugbee Senior Center (359-4086). The income guidelines are subject to change, but Melanie can give you up-to-date information and assist you with filling out the forms.
     We are in the process of updating our housing list, but we can give you the contact information for the various management firms. Call the Center at 295-9068.