Looking for a senior housing community that supports amputees? It’s never too early to start planning.
by Melissa Bean Sterzick
Kayla Inman is only 31, but she’s already thinking about where she might live 40 or 50 years from now.
As the former administrator of a senior living community, Inman may be more inclined than most of her peers to contemplate that stage of her life. And as the amputee advocate and social impact manager for Evergreen Prosthetics & Orthotics in western Colorado, Inman believes it’s essential for people with limb loss to plan ahead.
“The folks taking care of you or your loved one are not going to understand the medical needs of an amputee,” says Inman, who’s a below-knee amputee herself. “Most assisted-living facilities will run similarly, and there are not any amputee-specific senior living centers. It’s going to be about finding the facility that is the right fit for you.”
Doing that takes time and patience, says Inman. And the process begins with self-reflection: Finding the best housing starts with understanding your own wants and needs.
Know Thyself
To get a sense of what type of facility will best support you, Inman says, begin by making an inventory of your daily activities. “Go through your breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine,” she advises. “Write down your bathroom routine. How do you wash your clothes? What are the things that are different for you from before you had your amputation? Even if you don’t know exactly what you need, you have a document of your activities and can ask your facility how they will assist you with your day-to-day schedule.”
For example, if you have regular physical therapy or occupational therapy appointments, you’ll want to find a facility that provides those services on-site or offers free medical transportation to office visits. Accessible paths and convenient elevator access might be high priorities for some amputees; others might focus on amenities such as a swimming pool or weight room. You might need assistance to put on your prosthesis, take a shower, or get your groceries put away. Accessible bathrooms are essential—and not universal.
“It can be very tiring advocating for yourself every week,” Inman says. “Make sure the facility understands what your day-to-day routine is and communicates that to weekday, weeknight, and weekend staff. Some are really great about accommodating, but some can’t do that.”
In addition to thinking about your basic needs, it’s important to consider other factors that contribute to your quality of life. “The goal has to be to stay active,” says Lorena Layrisse Landaeta, a double board-certified primary care physician in internal and geriatric medicine. “A variety of activities such as exercise classes and opportunities to socialize are a must, as these are all essential things for brain stimulation and general well-being. Being close to your support system is also important, so ideally find a location where family and friends are close by so you can get frequent visitors.” Layrisse Landaeta also suggests looking for facilities that can meet most of your needs throughout the aging curve: “Facilities that have different levels of care are better because if older adults decline in their health, they are able to stay in the same place.”
Layrisse Landaeta recommends that amputees find a community that offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing if needed, as well as social and intellectual support. If you’re actively looking for senior housing, she adds, start your search with your primary care physician, because he or she will be familiar with options within your vicinity.
Consider the facility’s network of amputee-specific providers. If your support system is in place, and you have your regular physician, orthopedist, prosthetist, and physical therapist nearby, and can get to them by driving yourself or using transport provided by your senior living community, you’re all set.
But if you have moved some distance from your regular care team or have had a recent amputation, you will need help setting up your care team, says Kevin Bidwell, a prosthetist and educator with WillowWood. “Does the care facility have contacts with a prosthetist and physical therapist? Does the facility have a rehabilitation director? There needs to be a good line of communication.”
Don’t Go It Alone
Jim Clark is a wealth of information and experience for older amputees who are searching for housing. Clark, who lost his right leg above the knee at age 78, recently surveyed the senior-living market on behalf of himself and his wife, Joanne. He’s also a Certified Peer Visitor for the Amputee Coalition and the coauthor of a new book, The Aging Amputee, with John Paffett, a fellow lower-limb amputee who has reached his golden years.
“I’m 83. I’ve been to the horse show and the county fair,” Clark says. “I’m in good health mentally and physically, even though I am an amputee. I still have all my marbles, but sometimes I forget where I put my marble bag.”
Clark recommends casting a wide net and tapping as many resources as you can. “If you’re good at using the internet, that’s the first place to start,” he says. One useful site, A Place for Mom, offers free guidance for people (including those with disabilities) who are considering a move to senior housing. The organization’s website provides information about paying for senior living, outlines each state’s senior-living regulations, and has a questionnaire to help you identify what level of support best fits your needs.
Finances are nearly always a big concern when choosing senior living, Clark adds. Costs can be negotiated, and rent increases can be capped if you negotiate well. “Depending on how much care you need, rent can get upwards of $10,000 per month,” he says. For help in aligning your expenses with your resources, visit the American Association of Retired Persons online and use their Long-Term Care Cost Calculator.
The Clarks began their senior housing odyssey at an independent living facility in Gilbert, Arizona. After three years their rent increased by 27 percent, so they relocated to a more affordable community. “It’s a typical apartment complex for people over 55,” Clark explains. “There’s no medical help here, but it saves us $3,000 a month. However, our health issues have started to mount significantly, and my wife is going to need a caregiver.”
In addition, Clark advises finding a support group through the Amputee Coalition’s website. There are 400 of them around the country, and many connect online. “You have to get out there in the trenches,” he says. “Get as many resources as you can, use a support group, and use some of the services.”
Be Your Own Advocate
Herb Kolodny and his wife, Yvonne, took a proactive approach to finding senior housing.
“I started looking for senior living relatively early,” says the 76-year-old Kolodny, who lost his leg to cancer in 2013. “I didn’t want to wait until I couldn’t navigate stairs or walk on grass and so on. Don’t wait until you have to do it. Start thinking before you have to move.”
Kolodny and Yvonne, who is not disabled (“We call her a four-limbed freak,” Kolodny jokes), stayed in their two-level ranch home until 2021, when they moved to Whitney Center in Hamden, Connecticut. The couple sought out a community that would let them start in an independent-living unit and then shift to assisted living, nursing care, or memory care as necessary. They wanted a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, amenities such as a fitness center and pool, and some specific features to accommodate people with mobility needs.
“They have a lot of experience with seniors who use canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and motorized carts,” Kolodny says. “There are aides who will push you in your wheelchair. But I’m the only amputee—I’m here setting the pace.”
“We work with each resident to build personalized care plans tailored to meet their individual needs,” says Kim Elliott, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Brookdale Senior Living. “For residents who are amputees, our clinicians consider their functional status and mobility and incorporate that into their care plan.”
That’s important to Kolodny, who is a staunch supporter of amputee empowerment. In his work as a Certified Peer Visitor for the Amputee Coalition, he’s seen that amputees of all ages can be hesitant to seek assistance. And he knows that seniors—both amputees and “four-limbed freaks”—can be stubborn about accepting support, lest it threaten their sense of independence. But when people refuse to use an assistive device such as a walker or cane, it can affect their safety.
“It is common for individuals who have led a relatively independent life to be apprehensive in asking for help,” says John Resureccion, an occupational therapist in Torrance, California. “This mindset can lead to inability to perform daily tasks, or personal injury from attempting to do things without additional support. Individuals should look at support interventions as a way to return to a healthy and fulfilling way of life.”
“I know it can be hard for some people to ask for help,” Kolodny adds. “But you have to advocate for what you need.” And you have to choose a senior living environment where your needs will be heard and taken seriously. That has been the Kolodnys’ experience so far at Brookdale. On the day they moved in, a liaison helped them get settled in their apartment; a nurse visited and gave them pendant key cards to use if they needed assistance; and fitness staff dropped by to describe the swimming and gym amenities. And whenever Kolodny requires anything beyond what’s already in place, he asks.
“This is my last residence,” he says. “I’m happy with my decision because the community provides what we need. And we can step outside our door and see lots of friendly faces.”
Melissa Bean Sterzick is a freelance writer and writing tutor. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.
What’s the Right Level of Support?
Senior living comes in many forms and goes by many labels. It’s important to understand the terms, because each corresponds to specific regulations designed to ensure that you get appropriate support. Here’s a basic guide.
Independent Living
This is right for you if you’re able to live completely on your own, aside from a few minor medical needs. Many types of independent living units are available, including apartments, condominiums, or even free-standing homes. Add-on benefits often include social activities, dining, transportation, fitness amenities, and other resources.
Assisted Living
Consider this option if you need assistance with activities of daily living (such as cooking or bathing) but can otherwise live at home safely and independently. Residents may occupy private apartments or private rooms, or they may share lodgings with a roommate. Most facilities offer communal dining and living areas, recreational programs, transportation services, and housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services.
Nursing Care
This category offers 24-hour skilled assistance with all activities, including cooking, eating, dressing, transportation, and getting in and out of bed. Scheduled activities are offered, and meals are served in a dining area or in the resident’s room, which may be either private or shared.
Memory Care
Memory care provides a safe living environment for patients who need specialized assistance for cognitive impairments. It typically offers fully secured areas, wander-management systems, and 24-hour staffing.
Residential Care
Residential care offers the look and feel of a private apartment, but it includes live-in caretakers who offer assistance with everyday (nonmedical) tasks. This option is not always available, and specific services vary.
In-Home Care
This option allows you to stay in your own residence and have healthcare services brought in. It may require you to make modifications to your home, and it means forgoing most of the perks (dining, recreation, social activities) that come with senior living.
Senior Living and the ADA
Don’t assume that all senior housing automatically complies with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. If you consider that an important factor, you have to inquire. Moreover, facilities that serve older adults and people living with disabilities must often adhere to state regulations that govern staffing and licensure. So it’s a good idea to understand the specific regulations for senior living in your state. To find summaries of regulations for all 50 states, visit the website of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (ahcancal.org).
If you don’t want to wade through a lot of bureaucratese, simply make a checklist of ADA accommodations that matter to you and ask whether a given facility or apartment meets those standards. A sample list of questions might include:
- Do bathrooms and other personal spaces include sufficient space for wheelchair access/turning?
- Do bathrooms include built-in grab bars, raised toilet seats, built-in shower benches, and other accommodations?
- Are walk-in/roll-in showers available?
- Are doorways wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs?
- Are counter and table heights configured for ease of reach for someone seated in a wheelchair?
- Do all public areas include ramps, elevators, and other accessibility features?
- What medical services are permitted under the facility’s license? (Can staff administer medication? Can they provide nursing care?)
- What services are required by the facility’s license? Is the facility obliged to provide assistance with bathing, grooming, toileting, and other activities of daily living?
