Ask ten experts and you’ll most likely get ten different answers. That’s because assisted living facilities vary so much from facility to facility. It used to be the norm that once someone had to leave home for assistance the only option was a nursing home, but today, there is a wide range of senior living options that can help with activities of daily living and still let you or your loved one keep as much independence as possible.
Although the look and appearance varies, most assisted living facilities are dedicated to providing the same basic services to its residents. These long-term living arrangements are designed to assist seniors with help where they need it in dealing with activities of daily living. Care plans are created to help each resident based on their particular level of care.
Assisted living facilities are designed to help its residents keep their independence for as long as possible, in a home or resort style atmosphere. Nursing homes, or skilled nursing facilities, are more of a hospital-like setting designed to follow strict orders from physicians and round-the-clock nursing care. The majority of skilled nursing residents are semi-private rooms.
Making the decision to move a loved one into an assisted living facility can often be one of life’s most difficult decisions. With the changes in the senior living industry it’s within reach to find a facility that feels more like a 5-star resort than what’s in the minds of most when thinking of an assisted living facility. We want to be able to show you all of the positive effects an assisted living facility will have on not only the life of your loved one, but on your stress levels as well.
Here are a few signs to look for to know that it might be time to look at assisted living as an option:
Most assisted living communities will offer basic medical care and help with activities of daily living. These include dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene, assistance with bathing and toileting, shopping, and assisting with the telephone. The cost will usually include meals, supervision, housekeeping, laundry, transportation (depends on facility), social activities, exercise programs, and easier access to medical services.
If you go at this process alone it can be hard to determine what facility is safe and which ones are not. Other placement services might just send you a list of nearby facilities, but from an office across the country with no local knowledge. And there are some placement agencies that continue to place in facilities with bad track records knowing the risks involved.
The average cost of assisted living in the state of Florida is around $3,500. This price can vary depending the level of care needed and the type of home you choose. For detailed information, feel free to contact us.
Most individuals will pay for assisted living through personal financial resources like a pension, social security, and savings. Many times, if these aren’t available an individual will receive help from children or other family members. In some instances there may be a long-term care insurance policy in place that will help cover the expense of assisted living. We can usually find most clients a safe and appropriate assisted living facility within their budget requirements.
If these sources of money aren’t available, many seniors who own their home are able to sell it and use the equity to pay for assisted living. Veterans and their spouses could also qualify for Veteran’s Aid and Attendance, which covers a portion of assisted living. And for low income seniors, Medicaid’s Assisted Living Waiver is an option.