Home is where the heart is: living arrangements for older adults

Beginning January 1, 2011 the first of the baby boomers will turn 65 years of age. One of the biggest challenges they will encounter is deciding where they wish to live. Faced with uncertainty regarding their health, longevity, expenses, and need for supportive services, many older adults are overwhelmed with selecting long-term care options. Today, there are a variety of living arrangements available to seniors. These range from independent living to home care or day care, congregate housing, assisted living or nursing facilities. With the number of adults 65 years of age and older projected to exceed 80 million by 2030, there also is a growing concern over the availability of these housing options. Furthermore, as the Institute of Medicine report, "Retooling for an Aging America," notes there will be an additional need for qualified professionals to care for older adults. Pharmacists are uniquely qualified and positioned to provide these services. This article describes various types of living arrangements available to the older adults and the issues associated with transitioning from one setting to another setting. Opportunities for pharmacists to consult in the emerging continuum of care marketplace also will be discussed.