FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We understand how complicated the process is of finding just the right community to meet you or your loved one’s needs. Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions as you begin the process of finding the right community.
What’s the difference between assisted living and a long-term care facility (AKA a nursing home)?
An assisted living community is a social model of care, essentially an apartment community with supportive services: meals and housekeeping along with available help for non-medical activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and managing medications. Assisted Living communities typically have a more home-like feel as residents rent an apartment or a suite.
Long-term care facilities, also known as nursing homes, are medical models of care and often feel like more of a clinical setting. Long-term care facilities support those who need medical care and supervision 24 hours a day. Many long-term care facilities offer both short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care.
What’s the difference between assisted living and independent living?
Assisted living is a good alternative for people who are no longer able to live alone, but do not need intensive nursing care. Independent living preserves a senior’s independence and does not provide access to medical or nursing care.
What are the most important things to consider when choosing a care option?
Because everybody’s situation is different, the factors to consider vary. Typically, the first three things to consider are care needs, budget and location.
But there are often other important factors that should be considered including social activities, building amenities, dietary preferences, culture, and community size.
How many assisted living communities or long-term care facilities should my family consider before we make a decision?
There is no magic number, it’s a matter of how comfortable you feel. Some families look at three, others look at fifteen. Some people know right away they’ve found the right place. We recommend that our clients tour at least a few for comparison purposes. We want to make sure you feel good about your choice.
What does an independent or assisted living community cost?
It depends on many variables, such as location, services needed, apartment-style, and other factors. In Florida, independent and assisted living costs can range from $3,500 to $8,000 per month or more. Memory care assisted living is often more expensive. As we discuss different communities with you we can outline the costs in more depth and break them down for you. We provide analysis to each client we work with to help them identify the difference in cost and amenities.
How do we know if we can afford independent or assisted living? What do we need to consider?
There’s a range of costs involved depending on your needs and preferences. We will walk you through them step by step. Mainly, you need to look at two things: your monthly income and your assets, while taking into account things you’ll no longer have to pay for, such as homeowner’s insurance, maintenance, and major utilities. We can help you look at the variables and help you understand the financial logistics specific to your situation.
Does insurance pay for assisted living?
The only insurance that pays for assisted living is private pay Long Term Care Insurance, and those policies can vary widely. If you have a long-term care plan, please do not pay someone to evaluate it. This is something we can assist you with free of charge. We can also guide you with the right questions to ask when you call your carrier for the specifics of your policy.
When should we begin the process of considering an assisted living community?
We like to use Noah as an example: he started building the Ark before it began to rain. So, the earlier, the better. When you first begin to notice signs your loved one may not be thriving (not eating well, housework piling up, becoming increasingly forgetful) it’s time to considering options for the future. It’s better to have a plan in place and perhaps not need it than to need a plan and not have one. If you wait until there’s a crisis, big and important decisions will have to be rushed and made under duress. Giving yourself and your family more time to get used to possibilities for the future makes for less disruption and a more gradual transition.
Consider watching our most recent webinar when it’s time to consider assisted living or reading why planning before the crisis occurs is always the smart move.
What happens if my loved one needs more care than they can get in assisted living?
There are a couple of options depending on the situation. You can bring in additional supportive services such as home health to supplement the care. Or, you may need to consider another move. The thing is, no one has a crystal ball and future needs are difficult to predict. This is why when you work with us, we do such an in-depth analysis with you up-front so we can recommend a community that will best meet your long-term needs as well.
Can my Mom bring her own furniture into her new home?
Absolutely! Assisted living is just like having your own apartment. You furnish as you please, hang your pictures on the wall, and have your belongings around you. Furniture can be provided by communities for short-term stays or by other arrangements.
What about pets?
With assisted living, it depends on the community. Most allow for pets with a weight limit of 40lbs. (Most wouldn’t allow a Great Dane racing down the hallway!) Pets offer great comfort and therapeutic benefits. It’s often a key criterion for our clients and we’ve been successful in keeping owners and pets together. However, the pets need to be cared for by the residence so they need to be able to take them out, feed them, etc. If a resident is a fall risk, pets are generally not a good option. Long-term care facilities do not typically allow pets but most allow pets to visit. Some have pets that belong to the facility.
Will Mom be able to cook in independent and assisted living?
Yes and no. Although there are usually 3 meals provided, residents can prepare meals if they wish. The apartments usually have a mini-fridge, microwave. Most places also have a community kitchen that can turn cooking into a social event. Independent living apartments come with a stove and therefore residents can opt to cook full meals for themselves if they don’t want to eat in the dining room.
What are the visiting hours in independent and assisted living?
Just like in their current home, in independent and assisted living, you can have visitors at any time and are free to come and go as they please. There might be a security system requiring a code or buzzer for nighttime access, but there’s the same level of freedom as you enjoy in your current home. You can have overnight guests, holiday visitors, or even go away for a holiday or weekend if you want.
What is memory care?
Memory care neighborhoods are often attached to or integrated within assisted living communities although some are free-standing. Memory care neighborhoods are typically secured and designed to prevent a person with memory impairment from being able to wander. Memory care assisted living is ideal for people who lack safety awareness due to their declining cognitive ability. The staff is specially trained in working with people who have dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. For a person with memory impairment, memory care assisted living programs can greatly enhance their sense of independence and their quality of life.
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