Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities offer residents the ability to live independently, but still get the help they need for their daily tasks. These include personal care, housekeeping, meals and transportation services.
Assisted living facilities also emphasize quality of life by providing a variety of social and recreational activities. Some also serve people with specific medical conditions or mental illnesses.
assisted living facilities
Assisted living facilities are designed to offer seniors assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and ambulating. They also provide 24-hour supervision, security, three meals a day, and help with medication management and housekeeping.
In an assisted living community, your loved one can enjoy a variety of social and recreational activities. These include book clubs, art classes, and garden excursions.
For seniors who live alone, loneliness can become a serious problem. Fortunately, assisted living communities often offer socialization opportunities to reduce the risk of depression and isolation.
Assisted living facilities also offer transportation to local shopping, dining, events, and doctor appointments. This relieves family members from having to deal with driving their loved one or arranging for other forms of transportation.
does medicare pay for assisted living
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and certain younger adults with disabilities or end-stage renal disease, doesn’t cover room and board costs in an assisted living facility. However, it will pay for a stay in a skilled nursing facility for up to 100 days following a severe injury or illness.
In addition, most states offer some assistance to help seniors with the cost of assisted living through Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that covers medically necessary services for eligible low-income people. The coverage varies by state, but it may include custodial care and housekeeping services.
how much is assisted living
Assisted living costs can vary depending on the facility, amenities offered, location and level of care. According to Genworth, a company that tracks long-term care costs, the national average monthly cost of assisted living is $4,500.
Generally, assisted living is more affordable than nursing home or in-home care. However, it’s important to remember that the cost of assisted living varies greatly by city and state.
Oftentimes, seniors and families will pay some or all of the cost of assisted living out of pocket. This can be through retirement accounts, investments or pooling funds from family members.
who pays for assisted living
To afford assisted living, seniors use a mix of public and private resources. These may include Medicaid, personal savings, Social Security benefits, pension payments, retirement account savings, and long-term care insurance.
Often, families come up with their own money-saving strategies, such as pooling assets or trading time for money. Others turn to the equity in their home or sell it to pay for assisted living.
Many states also offer Medicaid coverage for assisted living and nursing home care. However, it will not cover the cost of room and board, which can be $3,000 a month on average.
assisted living vs nursing home
Assisted living facilities are for people who need help with basic activities of daily living (ADLs). They offer help with eating, bathing, dressing and going to the bathroom.
Nursing homes are for those who need a higher level of care, often round-the-clock. These facilities have a licensed physician on staff, nurses and other health professionals, and they can provide medical supplies and equipment that isn’t typically available in an assisted living facility.
Choosing the right level of care for your parent is a decision that must be made with the whole family. But before you make that decision, take some time to assess your parent’s needs and wants.
