If your aging loved one is struggling to care for themselves independently, it may be time to consider other senior living arrangements. The type of senior care you and your loved one choose depends primarily on the level of care you need. If they can live independently with any help, home care is a wonderful option; however, seniors who need round-the-clock supervision and assistance should consider receiving assisted residential care, where trained caregivers are available 24 hours a day of the day to help with daily activities alive. Of course, it is important to consider the cost of assisted living before committing to moving your loved one to such a facility.
Regardless of the type of home care you choose for your loved one, a qualified assistant or nurse will visit your home regularly to help you with activities of daily living and basic household chores. Those who receive home health care will undergo regular health evaluations and will be given any medications by a caregiver. Other services that are often provided in a home care setting include non-medical transportation and meal preparation. While most home care arrangements include 40 hours of care per week, there are options available for both part-time and in-patient care.
A downsizing like this can provide an opportunity for seniors to use funds from the sale of their home to cover the cost of community assisted living care. The cost of living in a planned community over 55 is usually about the same as buying a house or apartment in any planned community. This is because they need more care than they can get when living at home, with family, or in an assisted living facility. Some Americans need a nursing home only for a short period of time (for example, to recover from hip replacement surgery), but most people are there for a long time.
Retirement communities strive to provide seniors with a stress-free lifestyle by eliminating the need for maintenance, ensuring there is at least basic medical care on site, and offering a variety of activities. We found that in Los Angeles, many seniors choose to rent their homes instead of selling them outright. Medi-Cal includes exemptions to help seniors pay for long-term care, as well as home care, daycare, and services that allow seniors to stay in the community for as long as possible. Compared to typical monthly household expenses, including utilities, food and household maintenance, the cost of assisted living is usually comparable.
Some Medicare Advantage plans, and most long-term care insurance plans, cover the costs of assisted living, but again, it varies greatly by plan. Also known as nursing homes and foster homes, assisted living facilities offer seniors a supervised residential alternative to nursing home care. According to Genworth, the total cost of assisted living is significantly lower than that of living at home with home care. Many nursing homes also offer some form of social programs, with recreational activities, games and entertainment.
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid system, covers care in nursing homes that have limited financial resources. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman represents residents of long-term care facilities, including assisted living communities.
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