Assisted Living - Good the Bad and the Ugly Thursday, March 25, 2010


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What is Assisted Living?

The model is based on a typical assisted living apartment-style living with services a. The model promotes the independence and autonomy, and provides support and assistance with daily care needs built on. Meals are usually in a dining area with the intention of a social event, you can enjoy meals served, while the people selected. Activities are offered, including travel, scenic bus tours and trips to the supermarket, bank, andMedical visits on certain days of the week.

What type of treatment available in Assisted Living?

Assisted living provides custodial care, not medical care.


Bathing, dressing, bathing, care, mobility, medication management


Cooking, housework, transport, washing machine

What can I expect to pay for Assisted Living?

Most facilities assisted living facility, its costs to a card "wing" of the system. It quoted a price of "basic" or "board and lodging"Cost of $ 1,500 - $ 3000 per month available, depending on geography, size of the apartment and furnishings. Expect to see additional costs, on the right side of the road. Based on a needs analysis for your support the prices will be increased. This price can vary from month to month, especially if the treatment improves significantly if it deteriorates over time.

What are the benefits of Assisted Living?

Less expensive than nursing home care

The apartments for the optimization of privacy, autonomy,and independence

Three meals a day served in a social environment
Security systems and Bell

Designed with accessibility in mind (roll-in showers, etc.)

Exercise Programs
Nursing services are available to use as much or as little as necessary

Programs of activities that keep residents active, social and health

Most have a beauty salon

What are the limits of Assisted Living?


Despite the presence of staff to give and encouragement, some residentsisolated

The majority of residents do not boil, for security reasons

Assisted living is not enough space for the residents out there, or the result of research for

Minimum staffing standards in most states. On average, expect 1 assistant for every 30 residents during peak hours to see, and much less in the night

And facilities tout their skills for residents of care by the end of life, many families seeking to hire private care or transfer to a higher level of care when the needs of the residents'are about the size of their staff

What I see in an assisted living community?


Questions and see you after the last poll

Download for lunch (most will be invited to first). You have options in the menu? Can family or friends with you for a meal? What are the costs for the evaluation of meals?

Ask other residents to interact properly with each other? Are the employees friendly and nice? They know the residents by name?


What is the caregiver-to-staff ratio for each residentchange?

Is a nurse available? What time is the sister in the house?

The structure of an environment friendly? Clean? There are obvious odors?
What security features are available?

And transportation available? There are additional costs?

How often is the care plan is reviewed? If the residence or managers involved in the review? (be) should

What is the rate of turnover for staff? * Note: * Most institutions have a high participation rate on the fee schedule. This is a huge problem. Whatis the ease of doing to keep the existing staff and assistants as a novel?

If you have a pet, ask for any additional costs are required to pay for your pet. Normally, a move-in fee will be incurred and extra cleaning deposits.

Which increases the cost of living can be expected? We (3-6% per year for municipalities, most have noticed)

If the community no longer meets your needs, how much attention you get and what help is available, will be transferred to another levelCare?

Trust your instincts!

Who pays for assisted living?


Private pay (CA)

Long Term Care Insurance-Check your policy for coverage, waiting periods, etc. ..

If you are already eligible for Medicaid Medicaid, or may benefit in the near future, make sure the facility you are considering has a Medicaid contract, many do not. You can contact the organization or your local agency for the Aging office for a list of facilities under contract in your area. If a structure does not have aContract are the chances that they are trying to balance Medicaid vs. private pay for a building. Some will have a waiting list for Medicaid, so plan ahead. Do not wait for a crisis to start your search!

Medicare does not pay for assisted living

If you just start your search for an Assisted Living Community, we may consider working with a geriatric care manager or placement agency and reference to guide you. These professionals are aware of the community in your area and saveprecious time and energy.

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