Many people confuse assisted living with nursing homes. The two are very different.
Best suited for older adults who do not require complex medical care, but may require additional support with daily activities, assisted living offers a lifestyle that is maintenance-free and includes ample access to entertainment, recreation, dining and transportation.
Assisted Living is a supportive senior living option promoting independence and personal dignity in a safe, home-like environment. Assisted Living Facilities help with the tasks of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and medication monitoring, is personally tailored to each individual’s changing needs.
In assisted living, a resident makes their home in a private apartment and has full access to all amenities the community offers.
Residents are completely involved in decisions regarding their care and services. Assisted Living is a wonderful option for older adults who no longer wish to live alone or may need some help, but who don’t need or want institutionalized care in a nursing home.
ASSISTED LIVING COSTS
The cost of Assisted Living, which varies from community to community, is based on the type and size of the rental apartment, as well as the level of care needs and the service options chosen by the resident. In California, Assisted Living monthly rates typically fall within the range of $4,000 to $7,500 per month. Alzheimer’s and dementia care is more expensive, with a typical range of $6,000 to $9,500 per month.
NURSING HOMES COSTS
In comparison, Nursing Homes in California average between $10,000 to $16,000 per month. If you need 24-hour skilled nursing care to handle a variety of complex medical issues, this is the option you need.
IN_HOME CARE COSTS
Many people also assess the cost of In-Home Care when deciding which option to choose - staying at home with services or moving to an Assisted Living community. In-Home Care is usually based on an hourly rate. In California, this rate ranges from $26 to $32 an hour, depending on the geographic area and the type of home health care services being contracted for.
It’s important to keep in mind that monthly expenses for In-Home care also includes all housing costs (property tax, utilities, maintenance, housekeeping), groceries and meal preparation, transportation. If you require 24-hour care, Assisted Living would be a more feasible options. However, if you need just a little assistance with personal care and medications, then In-Home care may be a good financial option.
Assisted Living is a wonderful option for many older adults.
Older adults who are frail but not sick and who need some help with daily activities such as housecleaning, meals, dressing, and medication reminders and monitoring, are appropriate for Assisted Living. Geriatric experts estimate that nearly 1/3 of people age 85 and older need some assistance with these types of daily living activities.
Individuals who want peace of mind, who do not want to rely on family for assistance or care, are appropriate for Assisted Living as well.
Many older adults simply want to live independently without the worries of home maintenance, shopping and cooking on a daily basis or just do not wish to live alone any longer. They are also appropriate for Assisted Living.
Most Assisted Living residents lived within 3-5 miles of a community prior to moving in, or have family who live close by. The average age of an Assisted Living resident is 84. Approximately 80% are women and 20% men, although that differs from community to community. Approximately 90% are widowed or single, although more and more married couples are choosing to live in Assisted Living. They are independent and active, participating in an Assisted Living community’s social, educational and wellness programs. Many of them take advantage of the Assisted Living community’s personal care assistance and benefit from medication reminders and monitoring (the average resident takes a minimum of two medications daily). Those residents who don’t need personal care assistance enjoy Assisted Living’s other services, such as housecleaning, laundry, meals, and a dynamic social, cultural and wellness activities program
Understanding the difference between Assisted Living and a Nursing Home is essential to weigh your senior living options effectively. Many people confuse Assisted Living Facility (ALF) with Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). The two are very different. ALFs are licensed through the Department of Social Service and is considered non-medical facility. SNFs are licensed through the Department of Public Health and are federally regulated.
Large Assisted Living is best suited for older adults who do not require complex medical care but may require assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, meal preparation, housekeeping, and medication monitoring. Care in these type of settings is tailored to each individual’s changing needs. While most Assisted Living Facilities only offer medication management, a limited number of facilities can also take administrator medication, for those requiring insulin injections. Assisted living offers a lifestyle that is maintenance-free and includes access to entertainment, dining, and transportation. Residents live in their private apartment that they can furnish and decorate as they choose. Residents choose what they want to eat at meals in restaurant-style dining rooms, and they have the freedom to decide which activities they wish to participate in or how they want to spend their day. Residents and families are involved in decisions regarding their care and services. Assisted living is a wonderful option for older adults who no longer wish to live alone or may need some help. It is important to note that residences do need to have some degree of independence to reside in these type of communities. Assisted living is private pay only unless you have a comprehensive Long Term Care insurance. Medicare, Medicaid, or any health care insurance do not pay for ALF. Many states cover some assisted living communities under Medicaid; however, the amount of coverage and eligibility requirements vary widely. Again Note that assisted living communities are governed by state regulations, which fluctuate from state to state, while nursing homes are federally regulated.
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), also known as a nursing home provides the highest level of care outside of a hospital. SNF deliver 24-hour care to people with complex medical conditions who need hands-on assistance and monitoring by a licensed health care professional. A licensed doctor oversees each patient’s care, a nurse is always on-site, and other medical professionals, such as occupational, physical or speech therapists, are also on hand. Approximately half of nursing home residents have dementia, and more than half are bed or wheelchair-bound. These facilities often offer short-term rehabilitation services where a adults of any age can receive daily physical therapy and nursing care before returning home after a medical operation, strokes, or heart attacks. A nursing home is a right choice for someone whose medical needs require full-time nursing care or who can benefit from daily physical/occupational/speech therapy. Most nursing home residents live there permanently because they have ongoing physical or mental conditions that require constant medical care and supervision.
A critical difference between assisted living and nursing homes is that Medicare covers nursing home care for the medical side of expenses, and by Medicaid for the long term care. People can pay privately as well, or out of long term care insurance.
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