- The level of care required plays a key factor while calculating monthly expenses for assisted living. Don’t be fooled. For the most part, assisted living facilities calculate monthly charges outside room and board based on the level of care required. Assistance with bathing, dressing, transferring, medication and other assistance with daily living can increase the monthly expense quoted by a community.Brookdale Senior Living, a leading owner and operator of assisted living facilities throughout the United States offers a complete assessment to determine the level of care required before accepting a new resident so there are no surprises. Because Brookdale has multiple locations, their communities work well together and are able to provide clinical assessments throughout the country. Accurate assessments allow consumers to have realistic expectations of services required for those tightly budgeted.
- Veterans and their widowed surviving spouses can receive funds for assisted living care. To qualify, claimants must be incapable of self support and in need of regular personal assistance. The basic criteria for the Aid and Attendance pension benefit include the inability to feed oneself, to dress and undress without assistance, or to take care of one’s own bodily needs. Read more…
- When an aging parent can no longer be left alone and requires some assistance with daily living, assisted living care options should be considered. Communities that offer both independent living and assisted living like The Classic in West Palm Beach, Florida allows residents to age in place without having to be relocated outside the community.
- A resident can still drive and live at an assisted living facility. It is best to ask the facility if they allow residents to operate a vehicle while living under their care. Sometimes, a husband and wife couple may move into an assisted living facility together primarily for the care of one particular spouse while the care giving spouse is relatively independent capable of driving. Assisted living facilities generally go beyond by accommodating lifestyle and care needs.
- Weekly respite care allows consumers to get a feel of a community before a long term commitment. A short stay in an assisted living facility can be a great opportunity for a consumer to recuperated in a home like environment post short term rehabilitation prior to transitioning back to independence. Many caregivers utilize this option as a safeguard that healing is progressing and provides a safety net during the road to recovery. The potential resident can become acclimated with the facility and staff and assess if the temporary accommodation could be a future new home. Read more…
- Medicare does NOT pay for assisted living. Medicare will only pay for Medicare home health services for short term intermittent care with a physician order either in a home environment or an assisted living facility. Medicaid however in some states does pay for assisted living and requires individual to qualify both based on need and financial requirements.
- Clinical supportive services are provided at assisted living facilities. Besides offering a Wellness Center in assisted living facilities like Brookdale Senior Living, a majority of facilities have visiting, house call physicians that make daily visits. House call physician care may be covered by a resident’s insurance such as Medicare. The daily care by a facility is provided by a staff member that may be a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a home health aide based on the service required. Residents are free to utilize optional home care agencies for additional personal care and services should a resident require additional attention.
- Ombudsmen are appointed by the state to represent the interests of the public by investigating and addressing assisted living complaints reported by individual citizens. Should an assisted living resident have a complaint such as treatment, not getting medication timely, cleanliness of an apartment or perhaps food quality, the resident is given a toll free number to report a complaint. Residents may phone directly if capable or sometimes requests a staff member at a nurse’s station to phone on behalf of a resident.
- Care after hour at an assisted living facility does have limitations. Depending on the number of residents in a community, there are usually two Certified Nurse Assistances (CNAs) required to be able to respond to the residents’ needs or emergency after normal business hours. A Registered Nurse (RN) is not required. If a family has concerns they have the option to hire a companion or sitter service during the evening hours.
- Assisted living facilities are for the most part pet friendly. Most care communities are pet friendly. There may or may not be a onetime, none refundable pet fee between $250 and deposit up to $500. The resident must be capable of picking up after his/her dog or clean out the cat litter.
SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and home care directory where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Placement assistance and care facilitation are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge. Our directory includes but is not limited to assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD senior housing & independent living communities. We also educate consumers on Aid and Attendance Benefits for qualified Veterans and their spouses. Our Care Managers are available at 888-776-1311 or through the web at: http://www.SilverCensus.com.
