After the death of her husband 10 years ago, Emma Smith, 87, began to find it harder and harder to maintain her seven-room home in Carbondale.

"My son would come every now and then to help clean my gutters," Emma recalls. "But at my age it was hard to look after such a big property! I decided it was time to make some changes."

Three years ago, Emma sold her house and moved to a rental property, a privately owned duplex in a safe and quiet neighborhood. "My landlord takes care of the yard and all outdoor maintenance," Emma says. "All I need to do is pay my rent and take care of the utilities. I am very happy here."

Emma notes that except for her car, she doesn't own any property now. "I am entirely liquid, and I like that," she says.

Asked if she would consider moving to a retirement community or an assisted living facility, Emma says, "I don't want to be in an old age ghetto! I like to be surrounded by people of all ages. When the time comes, I may have to move, but I won't until I absolutely need assistance."

The issue

When it comes to finding suitable housing in Southern Illinois, the biggest issue faced by local seniors is the lack of a central clearing house of information for getting help with alternative housing.

Add money troubles and a general sense of confusion as to what all the different categories of housing mean and you have a potent mix of perplexed seniors and caregivers.

"Currently there is no program in Southern Illinois that specifically helps active, healthy seniors find housing options that will simplify their lives," says John Smith, executive director of the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging (EAAA). Most seniors, Smith admits, figure something out through their network of friends and family.

"Currently there is no program in Southern Illinois that specifically helps active, healthy seniors find housing options that will simplify their lives," says John Smith, executive director of the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging (EAAA). Most seniors, Smith admits, figure something out through their network of friends and family.

While case managers at Shawnee Alliance for Seniors are experts on housing options in their individual counties, Smith notes that a care plan is usually developed in conjunction with a senior's failing health.

The care plan includes consultation and evaluation services to seniors and their caregivers at no charge, discussing home and community based services such as in-home care and adult day services, home delivered meals and other options including supportive living facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing facilities.

Recognizing the need for a resource guide for all seniors and their caregivers, the EAAA publishes a comprehensive listing of aging services and providers in the southernmost 13 counties of Illinois, once a year. For a free copy call (888) 895-3306 and or access it online at www.egyptianaaa.org/ResourceGuideContents.htm.

Recognizing the need for a resource guide the EAAA publishes a comprehensive listing of aging services and providers in the southernmost 13 counties of Illinois, once a year. For a free copy call (888) 895-3306 and or access it online at www.egyptianaaa.org/ResourceGuideContents.htm.

Moving to an assisted living facility

"Loneliness is a bad thing for older people," says 81-year-old Irene Sherrard. "I was living out in the country and fell and broke my arm. Then the police came and said there were meth labs and things going around in my neighborhood. I felt alone and frightened and told my son I was ready to move."

A little more than two years ago, Irene moved to a one-bedroom apartment with attached bath, kitchenette and living room at Hurricane Creek Assisted Living Facility in Herrin. Her beloved 5-year-old Chihuahua Sugar accompanied her.

Irene went on to make many new friends at the facility and says she has an active, social life.

"I enjoy playing bingo, and taking part in various community arts and crafts," Irene says. "There's always something to do around here. My eating habits are also better now, because they provide us with all our meals."

Currently recuperating from a knee replacement surgery, Irene takes advantage of the housekeeping services offered by the facility and says she would not have agreed to move to Huricane Creek without her dog.

"She is an important part of my life," Irene says. "I will not part with her until the very end."

Demand for affordable housing

The real demand in Southern Illinois is for affordable senior housing options, says Sherry Hamlin, executive director of the River to River Residential Corp.

According to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, for each affordable senior housing unit that is available, there are 10 eligible seniors on waiting lists for it. The average time an eligible senior is on the waiting list is 13.4 months.

In terms of affordable housing, Hamlin says there are two programs that a person can go through that provide government subsidized rents in assisted living facilities. These include Supportive Living Facilities (SLF) and Comprehensive Care in Residential Settings (CCRS). Usually a care manager from Shawnee Alliance for Seniors determines if you meet eligibility criteria and how much you pay out of pocket.

"The bad news is there is a moratorium on these programs, because they don't want to overpopulate the area with such facilities and have less demand," Hamlin says. "Currently there are long waiting lists in all these facilities."

Experts note that it is a good idea for caregivers and children to start talking to their parents about housing options before they need it.

"As a rule the more assistance you require, the more it costs," Smith says.

If you are unsure where to start, make an appointment with a care manager at Shawnee Alliance for Seniors. If low income, start with public housing, Smith advises. Another good idea is to talk to friends, family, your pastor and neighbors.

Gail Johnson, EAAA program manager, says seniors and their caregivers should not to feel discouraged when confronted with myriad housing options. "There are lots of seniors and all their situations are different," Johnson says. "There are no right answers for everyone. It is highly individualized."

Moving to a retirement community

Joan Hart, 73, felt isolated and fearful living on the family farm in Vergennes all on her own.

"The property had been in my family for three generations," Joan says. "But I sold it and bought a duplex in Liberty Village in 2006."

Enjoying the benefits of single-family home ownership, combined with such perks as maintenance-free exteriors, lawn care, snow removal, senior socials and sense of community, Joan says it she enjoys living in the retirement community and finally has peace of mind.

As an added bonus, she knows she can utilize the continuum of care offered by the developers (independent apartments, assisted living facilities, nursing homes), in the future if need be.

Her advice to seniors? "Get rid of all the stuff in your house you have collected over the years and move to a place that is wheelchair-accessible when you are still in good health."

Senior housing attitude

Hamlin says there is a generation gap in terms of attitude when it comes to our current crop of elders in senior housing versus the baby boomers whose retirement years are fast coming up.

"The current generation of seniors believes they are giving up their independence by moving to an assisted living facility," Hamlin says. "However the baby boomers can't wait to get extra assistance with their yard, laundry service or home delivered meals. They view it as a luxury and just too good to be true!"

With facilities more and more catering towards providing seniors with a great living experience, Hamlin believes the boomers will be smarter and opt to move to senior housing earlier than their parents did.

Deciphering senior housing options

There are so many senior housing options today; it can make your head spin.

"Ten years ago there were no assisted living facilities," says John Smith, executive director of the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging. "You stayed at home until you went to the nursing home. Today there are several options."

Public housing / subsidized housing

Provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Rent is usually 30 percent of family income.

Independent living

Independent living or retirement communities enable active, healthy seniors to enjoy a retirement lifestyle filled with recreational, educational and social activities.

Assisted living

Private pay and/or government subsidized rental apartments which may provide some personal services such as meals, 24-hour supervision, housekeeping, etc. within the facility.

Supportive living facility (SLF)

Licensed assisted living facilities for low and middle income seniors. They offer a private apartment that can be locked, daily meals, supervision, household chores, transportation to medical appointments, and some personal care such as help getting dressed.

Current operational SLF facilities in Southern Illinois: include Heritage Woods in Benton, Prairie Living at Chautauqua in Carbondale, The Manor at Mason Woods in Pinckneyville, and Brookstone Estates in Harrisburg. The River to River Residential Corporation is getting ready to open two new SLFs in Marion and Anna.

Comprehensive care in a residential setting (CCRS)

Specialized licensed assisted living facilities for low income individuals. They are located in three communities in Southern Illinois: Hurricane Creek Apartments in Herrin, Big Muddy River Apartments in Murphysboro, Cache Valley Apartments in Ullin.

Shared housing / boarding homes

Like assisted living facilities, boarding homes are covered under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act and should be licensed. They are free-standing residences for 12 or fewer persons, where the individual can receive assistance with activities of daily living.

Continuing care retirement communities

Continuing care retirement communities are usually large campuses that include separate housing for those who live very independently, assisted living facilities that offer more support, and nursing homes for those needing skilled nursing care.

Skilled nursing facility /Nursing home

Registered Nurses help provide 24-hour care to people who can no longer care for themselves due to physical, emotional, or mental conditions. A licensed physician supervises each patient's care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises

Sources: Egyptian Area Agency on Aging, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Senior Housing Net.