Retirement News : Seniors : Event to showcase housing for seniors

Event to showcase housing for seniors

Date Added: 15-05-2005

Seniors have many options when looking for a new home, and Sunday’s Parade of Senior Housing highlights more than two dozen housing options in Scott County. Tours run from 1-4 p.m.
.
The reasons seniors want to move are as varied as the choices. Seniors may need special assistance with mobility challenges or want to live in a building with other people their age. Perhaps they are living on limited funds and qualify for senior housing projects with federal income guidelines.
.
“We are getting a lot of calls from seniors who are considering downsizing where their home is concerned,” says Senior Voice Chairman Gloria Fisher. “They definitely want to live somewhere where there are other seniors with similar interests.”
.
The first-time event is sponsored by Senior Voice and the Riverboat Development Authority.

In the past people tended to think of nursing homes as the only option for senior housing. Not so any more, says Fisher. The types of living quarters range from independent living to assisted living, private retirement homes and nursing homes.
.
“A lot of people still think a nursing home is where you go for the rest of your life, and more and more, it is short-term,” she said.
.
Senior Voice is a private, nonprofit corporation, founded in 1999 to hear the concerns of senior citizens and pass them along to community agencies to facilitate better and more types of services.
.
The group founded the Senior Housing Coalition five years ago after realizing how many inquiries they receive from people looking for options. The coalition provides a booklet about available housing in Scott County free of charge to seniors age 60 or over or family members who are seeking options for a loved one.
.
The Lend-A-Hand building, 401 W. 3rd St., Davenport, is one of the properties included in Sunday’s tours. Residents Patt and Roger Fuller are finding life very fulfilling at Lend-A-Hand after moving out of their five-bedroom home two years ago. Patt is a familiar figure as she volunteers her time to lead the twice-weekly exercise classes and helps with the daily coffee time and meal site
.
The couple does not miss tussling with the lawn mower or snow blower.
.
Residents can eat and talk together during noontime meals at the meal site or dine in their apartments. Lend-A-Hand has 100, one-bedroom apartments with some units adapted for handicapped access. Roger Fuller has health challenges, and Patt appreciates the accessible emergency pull cords in their home.
.
“So I can be down here with the people and he’ll feel safe,” she said.
.
Betty Sands is team coordinator for Homz Management Corp. properties, and these are the Lend-A-Hand, Spruce Hills Village and five Lutheran Properties of Scott County in Bettendorf and Davenport. All of these properties house people who are 62 or older. Four of the seven buildings have apartments for people with mobility impairments.
.
People looking for assisted living housing are invited to stop by Bickford Cottage of Davenport and view the facilities during the tour or at any time, said community relations director Amy Porter. The Davenport location, 4040 E. 55th St., Davenport, has 42 apartments, including seven designated for people dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Staff also offer short term respite care and housekeeping services. The company is opening a new 28-unit facility in Moline at the end of May.

For More Information:

http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1051032&t=Local+News&c=2,1051032