This section provides information about different housing options for persons with a disability due to stroke.
Issues to Consider
When deciding on the best housing option for a person with a stroke, there are many issues to consider. Persons with a disability due to stroke and their loved ones should ask:
Housing for Seniors
The Senior LinkAge Line can help seniors in all areas of Minnesota find housing, long-term care facilities, adult day services, assisted living and hospice care. The Senior LinkAge Line also can refer persons to transportation resources for seniors. For more information, call 800-333-2433.
Housing Options
After a stroke, many individuals experience difficulty with judgment, behavior, memory, attention span or confusion that may lead to unsafe living situations. Individuals and families may need to create an environment that encourages safe practices regarding cooking, the use of electrical equipment, answering the door, telephone and any other activity that could pose a safety risk. In addition, access to car keys, alcohol or weapons may need to be addressed. The following housing options are organized from most to least independent living situations. In the case that housing outside of the home is determined to be the best for your individual circumstances, there is a list of questions to ask housing providers at the end of this section. Be sure to bring the list when interviewing and selecting a facility.
Living with Family
If the person with a disability due to stroke is returning home, alterations may need to be made to make the home accessible. For example, a person with a disability due to stroke may need a ramp to enter the home, rearranged furniture, wider doorways or a renovated bathroom. There are many contractors with specialized knowledge and skills in this area. There are several home-renovation funding sources, including low or no-interest loans, that individuals or families may be eligible to receive. For more information about funding resources, contact your local Center for Independent Living (CIL), or visit:
www.macil.org. Before you hire someone to work in your home, be sure to check qualifications, experience and references.
Home Health Care Options
If care for the person with a disability due to stroke within the home proves too difficult for family members, Home Health Care (HHC) options are available. See the financial section of this Resource Guide, starting on page 22, for more information about funding sources.
Respite Housing
The purpose of respite care is to provide short-term care for individuals with disabilities while giving a temporary break to their regular caregivers. Unfortunately, respite opportunities in Minnesota are limited. A waiver may cover respite services. Speak to a county case manager to see if this is an option. Some long-term care facilities or home health care agencies may offer respite services on a case-by-case basis. If you are in a financial position to pay for respite care yourself, more options may exist.
Renting
Renting is an option for a person with a disability due to stroke who can live independently but is not able to perform home maintenance. Living expenses can be minimized if the person with a disability due to stroke is willing and able to share housing with one or more individuals. Rent subsidies or assistance may be available through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. For information about eligibility and who to contact, visit their website at www.hud.gov.
Board and Lodge/Assisted Living
In a board and lodge facility, people live, cook, and eat fairly independently. Facility staff members are on hand to ensure safety. Assisted living facilities are usually privately owned and offer a variety of support services and independent living assistance based on the individual’s needs and ability to pay.
Adult Living Facilities
Often called residential care, adults live together in a family-like setting. Corporations run these facilities. Some facilities limit their admissions to a single age group or gender. Some facilities will focus on stroke while others will have a more general focus. In many homes, residents contribute to the operation of the house in terms of chores and meal preparation.
Adult Foster Homes
Residences are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to provide personal services for persons with disabilities in private homes. Adult foster homes are very similar to adult living facilities, with the main difference being that adult foster homes are licensed private residences as opposed to corporate facilities.
Many housing providers serve persons with a variety of disabilities, while others work exclusively with a disability due to stroke. Any community provider that maintains ongoing training specific to stroke and embraces a holistic person-centered approach may be a suitable consideration.
Questions to Ask Housing Providers
It is important to consider a number of factors when evaluating established housing options. Questions to ask vary depending upon an individual’s housing needs. Potential questions include:
Try to find at least three housing providers to tour and interview before you make a decision. Some options are listed in this guide. The listing of housing in this guide include facilities that chose to advertise in this guide. While efforts have been made to provide as many options as possible, this is not a complete list. You are encouraged to choose a housing option that allows both the person with a disability due to stroke and the family to live as independently as possible.
Feel free to call your local county social service office found on page 46 or call the Minnesota Stroke Association at 763-553-0088 for a more complete list of housing options or for further assistance.
You can schedule a tour of any housing options that you consider. Pay attention to cleanliness, safety and security, and overall atmosphere. Observe the manner in which staff members interact with residents.