Senior Retirement Communities
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There may come a time when you or your loved is no longer independent with daily activities, and needs extra help. Long term care can be given at home to some degree, but many seniors prefer a community environment with help at hand 24/7, and others to socialize with. Here is an overview of long term care communities:
Assisted Living
Assisted living is a great option for senior retirement communities when elderly health care concerns are present, requiring elderly to have assistance in daily tasks. But you or your loved one must first qualify. In order to qualify, the elderly person or caregiver completes an application process. This includes an assessment by a nurse and recommendations as to needed services depending on elderly problems. Many services are included in the monthly fee, and many more can be contracted on a regular or as-needed basis. There's no getting around it, at this level, it becomes more expensive. The monthly fee in assisted living communities is higher, of course. The expense depends greatly on your geographic location. But the average annual cost is about $36,350. And what about those long term care costs? Is there any help?
Services that are included in the fees of these types of senior retirement communities typically are emergency pull cords, three meals per day, coffee breaks, weekly laundry service, weekly housecleaning, daily “I’m OK” check to monitor possible elderly issues, and a monthly health assessment (blood pressure, temperature, weight, health questions, etc.) with trained staff. Shuttle transportation to appointments or shopping may be in included in the monthly fee, or at a low cost. A wide range of planned elderly activities is also offered.
Various other services in assisted living for seniors may be purchased. Some are emergency pendant, bathing assistance, toileting assistance, help with medication, dressing, meals, escorting, etc. Most assisted living programs also offer a variety of social and exercise activities. Assisted living communities provide nursing staff during regular business hours, plus on-call evenings and weekends. There are trained resident aids to assist with scheduled needs or emergencies, 24 hours per day.Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are medically skilled types of senior retirement communities that offer many of the same features as assisted living, but with nursing care available round the clock. Residents, of course, have more severe medical conditions, disabilities and various other elderly problems and are in need of monitored care. Nursing home stays may be short or long term. A social worker is also available to assess intake, to address family concerns, and to refer to or coordinate programs and assistance after the completion of the nursing home stay. But often nursing homes become long-term, permanent senior retirement communities.
A stay in nursing home communities is often by referral from a hospital or assisted living facility. There are often waiting lists, so residents may find they need to live in one area of town or state for awhile until an opening comes up in the area they prefer. Senior retirement communities with continuum of care, offer a variety of housing options. They may also have their own physical therapy area as well. Often upon discharge from the nursing home, the resident will need long term assisted care. Since this is congregate housing, residents are encouraged to participate in planned social and physical activities as able. Nursing homes are regulated by the state government and must be licensed. They undergo continual surveys and evaluations for care. Specific nursing home data can be found in the state’s database. You can find information such as number of beds, staffing details, staff hours, staff-to-patient ratios. The reports also disclose how a particular facility has rated on evaluations, and if any complaints have been registered with the state.
Do this research before you begin visiting nursing home facilities – you may save yourself a lot of time!
Make sure you visit several places and get a feel for the mood, upkeep and tidiness. Observe staff and residents and try to get an opportunity to speak to people there, to find out what their experiences have been. The best way to select a nursing home, of course, is by referral from someone you know and trust. Nursing home care is expensive, and can vary from over $70,000 per year for a private room, to over $60,000 for a semi-private room. The average daily cost of a private room is about $200 to $220. Medicare and Medicaid may partially pay for these costs. Check with your local office for more details.
Memory Care
Memory care has recently become a very increased need in senior retirement communities. They are long term care congregate housing facilities. Unfortunately, there is a large demand for special care for seniors with a dementia-related diagnosis.These communities provide special personal care round-the-clock, meal programs, and special activities to maximize remaining memory. A personalized service plan is offered after assessment. Many services and amenities are included in the monthly fee, and others can be purchased at an additional cost, including services by skilled nursing staff. Pets are usually not allowed. Most facilities have private, enclosed grounds where residents can safely enjoy outdoor activities.
Memory care facilities often have a waiting list. There are vast differences, so again, do your research as you would with assisted living or nursing home care.
The above summary of long-term senior retirement communities is only a brief overview. Various states and counties may regulate many facets of these types of medically oriented senior congregate living. Contact your state and county for more information. Personal referral is often the best way to select retirement living communities.
How do you know what is really right for you or your loved one? At this point you will need to receive guidance from a medical professional or social worker. But also review the information in elderly problems-signs and clues.
Also be sure to review information about
making a plan to care for the elderly.
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