Senior living options can be overwhelming and confusing but no
worries, we will explore all the necessary steps to help you
navigate through the process. You have many options such as
independent, assisted living as well as dementia (memory) care,
skilled nursing even rehabilitation. Let us explore your options
and help you choose the right option for you or your loved
ones.
LEVELS OF CARE
There are
many options to senior living, and it is not the old-fashioned
nursing homes of the past. But today’s modern senior living is a
far cry from one-size-fits-all.
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Independent living is simply any housing arrangement
designed exclusively for older adults, generally those aged 55 and
over. In general, the housing is friendlier to aging adults, often
being more compact, with easier navigation and no maintenance or
yard work to worry about.
While residents live independently, most communities offer
amenities, activities, and services. Often, recreational centers
or clubhouses are available on site to give you the opportunity to
connect with others and participate in community activities, such
as arts and crafts, holiday gatherings, continuing education
classes, or movie nights. Other services offered may include
onsite spas, beauty and barber salons, daily meals, and basic
housekeeping and laundry services.
Since independent living facilities are aimed at older
adults who need little or no assistance with activities of daily
living, most do not offer medical care or nursing staff. You can,
however, hire in-home help separately as required.
ASSISTED LIVING
Assisted
living is a residential option for seniors who want or need help
with some of the daily activities, such as cooking meals,
housekeeping, and traveling to appointments and many others.
Assisted living facilities offer the safety and security of
24-hour support and access to care. Day or night, help is only a
phone call away. However, privacy and independence are encouraged.
A good facility will develop a personalized plan that meets your
needs and accommodates your disabilities, while giving you the
freedom to do what you can for yourself.
If you need more personal care services than are feasible at
home or in an independent living retirement community while you
don’t need the round-the-clock medical care and supervision of a
nursing home then assisted living is your best option.
DEMENTIA (MEMORY) CARE
Memory care is designed to provide a safe, structured
environment with set routines to lower stress for people with
Alzheimer's or dementia. Employees provide meals and help
residents with personal care tasks, just like the staff at an
assisted living facility. But they are also specially trained to
deal with the unique issues that often arise as a result of
dementia or Alzheimer's. They check in with residents more
frequently and provide extra structure and support to help them
navigate their day.
NURSING HOME
Nursing homes provide what is called custodial care,
including getting in and out of bed and providing assistance with
feeding, bathing, and dressing. However, nursing homes differ from
other senior housing facilities in that they also provide a high
level of medical care. A licensed physician supervises each
patient’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost
always on the premises.
REHABILITATION
If you are in need of
both medical and personal care and have become too great to handle
due to a recent hospitalization, or a chronic illness which has
gradually been worsening. You need a higher level of care
temporarily after a hospitalization, but it’s anticipated you will
be able to return to home or another facility after a period of
time then skilled nursing maybe the best option for you.
The time to move to a senior living community is different for
everyone because we all have different needs. Some people will
need more attention than others. You might not need
round-the-clock care, but maybe you could use some assistance with
some services. Or, perhaps you are just looking to live in a place
where someone else handles the chores, so you have more time to
pursue hobbies. Others move when they lost a companion or a
friend. Others look for the social interaction with their
peers.
We can help you explore the different options available to
you based on your budget and needs. Talk to us today and we will
guide at no cost to you.
Once you have done your
research, visited the communities on your list and made the
decision on where you are moving to. Now you must start getting
ready to move. There’s a lot that goes into this part of the
senior living journey, and we have some resources that can help
make this transition easier for you and the rest of your
family. Everyone knows moving day can be a little stressful
and chaotic. There are boxes all over the house, last minute items
to pack, and schedules to keep. But even though there are bound to
be a few unexpected mishaps that pop up in the process of moving,
there are a lot of things you can do in advance to make moving day
less stressful. Keep reading to learn more about how you can
prepare to make it through moving day without feeling
overwhelmed. If you’ve made it through the community tours
and the moving process, you’re probably in a new apartment
surrounded by new people, new activities and new routines. You
might feel like a lot (maybe even too much) has changed all at
once. Rest assured that those feelings are normal, and it’s okay
if it takes a little time to feel at ease. Fortunately, there are
a few things you can do to make the transition to senior living
easier after moving in.
Enjoy your retirement years in a place that functions like home. A
place where you can choose not only to age well but to live well.
A place that will not break your bank.
We believe you should have access to quality care, best
amenities and services to live comfortably and affordably. That’s
why we provide a wide range of options so you can choose the best
plan that is best for you and your budget. You want to find an
senior living community that handles all the household chores, or
with a little extra help with personal grooming and managing
medication, or a dementia care community where your family member
has a daily opportunity to thrive, we have a variety of options at
a variety of price points.
How Can I Pay for Senior Living?
If you know you want to move into a senior living community,
there are probably more options for how to pay for senior care
than you ever think. From personal savings and benefit programs to
third-party companies. If you have enough money to pay for
senior living out-of-pocket, that’s great news. But even if you do
not, here are a few other options to consider.
Understanding Medicaid Coverage
Medicaid could help you pay for the quality care you need if
you qualify. Typically, senior living isn't covered by Medicaid,
but you may be able to use it for other health care services. We
can help you to see if you qualify, for this federal
assistance.
Veterans Benefits
There are millions of veterans in the United States, but
few of them take advantage of the government-funded benefit
programs available to supplement the cost of senior care. If you
or a loved one are a veteran and looking for ways to pay for
senior living, you may be eligible for a few more veteran
assistance programs.
Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI)
Depending on your specific policy and your care needs,
long-term care insurance can be a great resource for paying for
specific types of senior living care. But not all LTCI policies
are created equal, which is why it’s important to consult
with your insurance provider or a financial advisor to make sure
you know exactly how your policy works.
Life Insurance
If you or your loved
one has an existing life insurance policy, you may be able to
convert an in force policy to a pre-funded account to help pay for
senior care. This financial option is especially helpful for
seniors, because all health conditions are accepted, there are no
waiting periods, no care limits, no costs to apply, no requirement
to be terminally ill and no premium payments or fees.
Bridge Loans
The need for
senior living can be unexpected and sudden due to medical
emergencies or the realization that living at home is no longer
safe. Many senior financial services will provide a bridge loan to
help cover the costs during the transition. Typically, the
condition of the loan states that the short-term loan will need to
be repaid once the funds are available, like for example, through
the sale of a house.
Paying Out of Pocket
Whether you have money from investments, retirement
accounts or inheritances, having private funds to cover the cost
of senior living can be very helpful as you make decisions about
your future. You could also consider the option of selling your
home to help you fund your move to senior living.