Assisted living can provide an ideal balance for seniors seeking independence while needing some assistance with daily activities such as dressing or bathing. Residents typically have their own room or apartment while sharing a common area for socializing and dining purposes.
Before making your choice, it is advisable to visit multiple communities. This will give you a sense of their social environment, dining options and overall feel.
The Basics
Assisted living provides home-like spaces for individuals who require assistance with daily tasks but don’t require the level of medical attention provided in a nursing home. Residents pay monthly rent for their private apartment or room and receive services such as cleaning, cooking and housekeeping; scheduled transportation for shopping trips, community events or doctor’s appointments; socialization activities as well as scheduled cleaning.
Many assisted living communities provide classes and group activities designed to stimulate mental stimulation, wellness programs, social connection with those experiencing similar circumstances, beauty/barber shops/hair cutting parlours/libraries/chapels and exercise rooms – just to name a few amenities available within them.
Long-term care insurance (LTCI) may also provide an option for financing assisted living costs; its details and requirements can differ between policies. Usually, this insurance covers only licensed facility costs while fulfilling physical qualification standards outlined in each plan. Read our guide for understanding assisted living costs and finding the plan that’s right for you!
Costs
Assisted living costs vary significantly, but the median annual cost of one-bedroom private accommodation in an assisted living community is $4,744. Ultimately, however, costs depend on where your loved one resides as well as what level of care is necessary.
As part of your search, it’s important to inquire about communities’ pricing structures. Some offer all-inclusive packages where rent and services are bundled into one monthly fee while others have tiered systems where services can be paid for individually.
Selling your home could be one way of paying for senior care costs, but this option only applies if the home is free and clear. With mortgage payments involved, selling may not bring enough in for assisted living costs to cover their full price tag; you’ll need other sources of funding like personal savings accounts, long-term care insurance policies, veterans aid programs or Medicaid to do this effectively.
Getting Started
Opening an assisted living facility can be a massive undertaking, requiring much hard work to ensure all legal obligations are fulfilled and all necessary employees hired.
Elderly adults typically move into assisted living residences when their health has declined and they become incapable of performing basic daily tasks such as dressing and grooming on their own. A comprehensive assessment process is often performed in order to ascertain the level of care needed, which produces a care plan which includes all available services as well as their associated costs.
Financially challenged individuals may qualify for assistance paying for assisted living through the New York State Assisted Living Program. Individuals over their asset limit may work with a Medicaid planning professional to explore ways of protecting assets while still qualifying for assistance; long-term care insurance policies may also help cover associated costs of living in an assisted living residence.
What to Expect
The National Center for Assisted Living advises a methodical search process. Tour several facilities and carefully review contracts. Don’t be shy to bring along a financial adviser and/or family attorney when exploring your options.
Take note of food policies at each facility as these may differ significantly; some allow residents to eat meals in their apartments while others have set mealtimes. Also inquire as to the availability of kosher or halal food items.
Visit during mealtimes and various activities to gain a feel of the environment. Assure your loved ones they can approach any staff member for help adjusting to life in assisted living, introduce themselves to other residents, answer any questions about community living or provide answers to any concerns that arise. However, try not overprotect them as this allows them the freedom needed to thrive in their new home.