Housing and living arrangements; special needs of the elderly; services.

The Department of Elderly Affairs shall provide services related to housing and living arrangements which meet the special needs of the elderly. Such services shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Providing counseling concerning housing problems and alternate living arrangements when appropriate to the individual’s needs.

(2) Coordinating with the Department of Commerce to gather and maintain data on living arrangements which meet the special needs of the elderly and to disseminate such information to the public. Such information shall include types of facilities, cost of care, services provided, and possible sources of help in meeting the cost of care for indigent individuals.

(3) Promoting, through the Department of Elderly Affairs staff activities and area agencies on aging, the development of a variety of living arrangements through public and private auspices to meet the various needs and desires of the elderly, including, but not limited to:

(a) Foster homes.

(b) Assisted living facilities.

(c) Homes for special services.

(d) Shared housing or other such group living arrangements for independent living.

(e) Continuing care facilities which offer all levels of care, including independent living units, personal care, home health care supports, and skilled nursing home care.

(f) Retirement communities for independent communal living, to be developed in conjunction with the Department of Commerce.

(g) Other innovative living arrangements.

Demonstration projects must be used advisedly to test the extent to which these and other innovative housing and living arrangements do meet the basic and special needs of the elderly.