Senior Living

As we get older our needs and desires change. The two story house with the expansive yard that was once your dream home may no longer be the best fit. Your lifestyle may change or you may begin to experience health challenges such as reduced mobility, complicated medication schedules, and reduced vision that may require more assistance. Whatever the reason, there may be a time where you or a loved one finds it is unsafe to continue to live independently. Many aging adults and their families are unaware of the different care options and programs available to them. One that is growing in popularity with families is assisted living, which is designed to maximize independence and quality of life. 

While each community is different, assisted living facilities in the U.S. today typically offer a wide range of convenient services, comforts, amenities, and enriching activities to ensure residents get the help and care they need, in a setting they can call “home.” Let's take a closer look at what Assisted living facilities (ALFs) have to offer. 

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a long-term residential care option designed for older adults who need some help with activities of daily living and support in daily tasks, such as laundry, transportation, bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting as needed. ALFs offer residents assistance with their daily activities. At the same time, residents are able to remain as independent as they please. This makes assisted living a good fit for many seniors who are beginning to have health challenges. 

How Does Assisted Living Compare to Other Senior Living Options?

People often confuse assisted living facilities for nursing homes, memory care or independent living but the senior care options are very different. Assisted living falls somewhere between an independent living community and a skilled nursing facility in terms of the level of care provided. 

Assisted Living: Assisted living communities provide personal care and assistance for residents who need help with these activities but do not require skilled nursing care. Assisted living communities typically offer a wider range of social activities and outings and have a communal feel.

Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled care and medical support. For example, a nursing home would be a good fit for someone who needs a feeding tube, while assisted living would not. Nursing homes tend to be more expensive than ALFs and Medicaid and Medicare can often be used to cover skilled nursing home costs.

Memory Care: Memory care is a specialized form of long-term care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Typically, ALF do not offer care for these diseases. Essentially every aspect of memory care, from the types of organized activities that take place at the community to the presence of physical safeguards such as secured courtyards and doors with alarms, is designed with those with dementia in mind. Because of the enhanced staff training and safety measures required, memory care also comes with a higher price tag than assisted living. 

Independent Living: Independent living communities are best suited for seniors who do not yet need any assistance with their daily activities and can live independently in their day-to-day lives. Independent living communities typically do offer prepared meals, interior and exterior maintenance, and housekeeping and laundry services but don't assist with anything related to personal hygiene or medical assistance. 

Financial Assistance

When looking for financial assistance for long-term care, many people are surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover assisted living. Still, in addition to private pay, there are other options are available. Medicaid, life insurance, long term care insurance, VA air and attendance benefit and even reverse mortgages can offer some level of assistance. 

How Do I Choose an Assisted Living Community?

Our friends at Caring.com have created a free resource that provides comprehensive information about assisted living options that are available throughout the United States. More information on ALFs can be found here, including a list of communities in your area.

At Arrive Real Estate Group, we understand making this move can be a sensitive and challenging time for you and your loved ones. We offer step by step guidance, legal protection, clutter removal, free staging and will manage the entire sale process so you can focus on getting your loved one adjusted to their new environment. Let us help you Arrive to your new home.