Housing
for Deaf Older Adults Who Sign
There are three classifications of housing as described by Ronald Hirano
who compiled Retirement Homes for the Deaf. Ronald is the president of
Bay Area Coalition of Deaf Senior Citizens in Fremont, California
Source: Senior Quest / Spring 2007, Supplement I
I. Three Classifications
a. Independent Living
b. Assisted Living
c. Nursing
II. Physical and Mental Abilities of Deaf Retirees:
a. Independent Living
- Active living
- Self-supported
- Shopping, preparing and cooking meals
b. Assisted Living
- Partly disabled living (walk with cane/walker or riding
on wheelchairs)
- Need occasional assistance of personal care, bathing
and mediation
- Cannot prepare and cook meals
c. Nursing
- Completely disabled and bedridden living (poor mobility)
- Need 24-hour assistance of personal care, bathing and
medication
- Need to be fed
III. Home Amenities
a. Independent Living
- Studio, one and two-bedroom apartments
- Kitchen including stove, microwave oven, refrigerator
and sink
- Bathroom including tub/shower stall
- Visual signal, video and emergency telecommunication
system
- Laundry room
- Community and recreation rooms
- Full-time manager fluent in ASL
- Part –time housekeeping
- Social, recreational and shopping outings and activities
- Shuffle van service
b. Assisted Living
- Studio and one-bedroom apartments
- Kitchenette including microwave oven, hot-plate, small
refrigerator and sink
- Bathroom including special microwave oven, hot-plate,
small refrigerator and sink
- Occasional supervised care, bathing and medication
- Visual signal, video and emergency telecommunication
system
- Personal laundry service
- Beauty and barber shop
- Community recreation and therapy rooms
- Restaurant-type dining room serving three meals daily
- 24-hour supervision by staff and nurse fluent in ASL
- Full-time housekeeping
- Social, recreational and shopping outings and activities
- Shuffle van service
c. Nursing
- Semi-private and private bedded rooms with bathrooms
- 24-hour supervised care, bathing and medication
- Visual signal, video and emergency telecommunication
system
- Personal laundry service
- Community, recreation and therapy rooms
- Restaurant-type dining room serving three meals daily
- 24-hour supervision by staff and nurse fluent in ASL
- Full-time housekeeping
- Social and recreational activities
- Shuttle van service
IV. Basic Rates
a. Independent Living
$500 per month and
over
b. Assisted Living
$2,000 per month and
over
c. Nursing
$3,000 per month and
over
Below is a list of eight service organizations in the United States that
have been checked by Ronald Hirano. The Senior Citizens Section of the
National Association of the Deaf and Deaf Seniors of America plan to work
on a directory.
01923-3794 Danver, MA
New England Homes for the Deaf
Independent Living, Assisted Living and Nursing
19063-4622 Elwyn, PA
Valley View Assisted Living Home for Deaf Seniors
Assisted Living
43081-3624 Westerville, OH
Columbus Colony
Independent Living, Assited Living and Nursing
53228-2367 Greenfield, WI
Water Tower View
Independent Living
78666-1410 San Marcos, TX
LaVista Retirement Community
Independent Living
91007-8426 Acradia, CA
California Home for the Adult Deaf
Assisted Living and Nursing
945539-4448 Fremont
Fremont Oak Gardens
Independent Living
97030-7348 Gresham, OR
Chestnut Lane Assisted Living Community
Independent Living and Assisted Living
Other useful sources
"Housing for Deaf Seniors: An Acute Issue," an
article by David Rosenbaum, staff writer, SIGNews February 2007.
http://www.signews.org
FOLDA Directory: Deaf Community Contacts @ your library
http://www.folda.net/contacts/DCCservices.html