More Ways To Pay For Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in North Carolina page.
Alternatives To Having A 24 Hour Caregiver
Apart from an in-home 24-hour caregiver, there are other ways to ensure your loved one receives the care they need. The primary alternative to in-home care is residence in an elder care facility.
Here are the three major options when it comes to alternative living facilities:
And, heres a quick cost breakdown for each of these eldercare residences:
| $7,665 $8,821 |
In assisted living facilities, memory care for those with dementia incurs an additional monthly fee of $1,000-$4,000. However, memory care for those with dementia does not affect the hourly rate of in-home care or nursing home care.
After all these elderly care cost comparisons, you may still be wondering, Which is cheaper, home care or an assisted living facility?
Assisted Living Homes Vs Home Care: How To Decide
Can you receive proper care in your home or would it be best to move into an assisted living home that can meet your long-term care needs? This is a question that many of us will be asking ourselves as we get older.Whether it is having to move around your home or making it around town to doctors visits and other important appointments, this is often a very difficult time for these individuals.
The good news is that advancements in technology and medical equipment are making it more feasible than ever to benefit from senior care at home while dealing with these struggles. However, remaining in the home is not the best choice for everyone.To make the best decision possible, you should consider a variety of different factors from your ability level to your finances and your available support network.
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What Are The Physical Characteristics Of An Assisted Living Facility
Assisted living facilities strive to include homelike qualities. Studies show that two factors affect the older adult to successfully adjust to a new surroundings:
1. Their personal needs get met
2. The previous home and the new surrounding has similar characteristics and environmental connections.
The more autonomy and choice a resident is given, the less health complications than facilities where choices were less frequent.
The physical characteristics range from a house or small building with just a few beds to a large senior living campus with multiple buildings and hundreds of beds.
In our , we state the number of beds, giving you an idea as to the size of the facility. Each state is different with a number of licensing requirements, so it is important to know what type of care facility you prefer.
Most senior living facilities offer a high level of privacy. Despite the 24-hour trained staff, residents find the same amount of privacy as they would within a standard apartment complex. Decorated and personally arranged rooms give residents the comfort of home. Since there is no need for nursing home type equipment, assisted living care homes offer more of a community type atmosphere, with the added comfort of assistance from trained staff within the facility.
Area Agencies On Aging
Area Agencies on Aging is a network of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across America that provide federally funded services to adults over 60 in their local areas.
Iowa has many Area Agencies on Aging that offer comprehensive information on various kinds of programs and community supports for seniors.
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Retirement Communities/independent Living Facilities
Retirement communities and independent living facilities are housing exclusively for adults . The person is generally healthy and any medical or personal care can be provided by visiting nurses or a home health aide. Staff at the retirement community does not take on the general responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult.
There are all kinds of planned retirement communities from large scale, single family home developments to smaller-scale, senior houses or apartments.
Washington State does not license retirement communities. To find local retirement communities in the area, contact your local Senior Information and Assistance office.
What Is A Nursing Home
More commonly known as a skilled nursing facility, a nursing home provides the highest level of care possible outside of a hospital. Many seniors move to a nursing home following a hospital stay, surgery, or procedure. Nursing homes deliver 24-hour care to seniors who have complex medical conditions and need hands-on assistance and monitoring.
Residents receive skilled care and may even be confined to bed, totally incontinent, or rely on tube feeding. In many cases, residents are there short-term to recover from a hospital stay or procedure. In other cases, residents are there long-term to receive comprehensive healthcare interventions 24 hours a day.
A licensed physician supervises each patients care, a nurse is always on the premises, and other medical professionals such as occupational, physical, or speech therapists are also on hand. Many nursing homes have medical equipment that is normally found in hospitals, such as X-ray machines or electric beds. In addition, these facilities often offer short-term rehabilitation services for adults of any age who can then return home.
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Determining If It Is Time For A Nursing Home
A transition from home or an assisted living community to a nursing home is a personal decision but may occur after a senior is facing ongoing medical care needs. A skilled nursing facility is designed to meet particular medical needs, whether those needs are simple pain management, more complex rehabilitation, or something in between. Residents in skilled nursing facilities typically need assistance with tasks that go beyond ADLs.
The Cost Of Assisted Living In Nearby Cities
At $5,877, Wilmington has the most expensive cost for assisted living. Fayetteville, the nearest large city to Wilmington, has a median cost of $3,500 per month. In the state center, Raleigh has the second-highest assisted living care cost at $4,800, while Greensboro has a cost almost $300 lower than Raleighs. Charlotte, close to the states southern border, has a similar assisted living cost as Greensboros at $4,649. Jacksonville, northeast of Wilmington, has the states lowest assisted living care cost at almost half the cost of Wilmingtons average at $2,675.
Nursing Home Facility
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Hour Care Services In Parker Co
For seniors who are unable to live independently, but still wish to remain in their own home, 24-hour home care is a very suitable option. We understand that not every individual will thrive in an assisted living community. Despite the many advantages that these types of facilities have to offer, they may not necessarily be the best choice for each and every aging adult.
For this reason, there are a variety of other senior care options that are available within the persons home.
Iowa Elderly Waiver Program
Medicaid does not cover assisted living in Iowa, however, they offer waiver programs, referred to as Home and Community Based Services . Not all facilities in Iowa accept the waivers, so keep this in mind as you search for an assisted living facility for you or your elderly loved one.
The Elderly Waiver covers nursing and skilled levels of care based on a residents needs. An interdisciplinary team consisting of the resident, case manager, Managed Care Organization, community-based case manager, service providers, and other persons the resident chooses will determine what services are appropriate. During this time, a service plan will be developed. Service plans may include attendant care from an assisted living provider or anyone else the resident chooses, nursing care, nutritional counseling, or other tasks.
Since this waiver isnt an entitlement program, even if you do qualify, you may not be accepted if the enrollment cap is reached. Instead, you will likely be placed on a waiting list. If you are eligible and accepted into the program, there are also service cost limits:
- Nursing level of care services cannot exceed $1,339 per month.
- Skilled level of care services cannot exceed $2,765 per month.
Who Is Eligible?
Residents interested in applying for the Elderly Waiver need to qualify for Medicaid as well as meet certain income, asset limits, and functionality requirements. If youre 65 years of age or older, the qualifications for Medicaid include:
How to Apply
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Social Activity Entertainment And Wellness
Most facilities provide common living areas such as small libraries, café areas, and gaming rooms for casual social activity. They also provide a calendar of more structured social activities such as gardening clubs, book discussion groups, or movie viewings. Most residents can also choose to engage in activities off-site, such as mall-walking or theatre outings, for which group transportation is provided by the facility.
Most good senior communities also have fitness rooms and provide wellness classes such as water aerobics, yoga, tai chi, and walking groups.
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Background Checks For Assisted Living
Prior to employment, the assisted living facility is required to request a criminal history check by the Department of Public Safety and a child and dependent adult abuse record check by the Department of Human Services. If its determined that the applicant has a record, the decision to hire the applicant will be left up to the Department of Human Services.
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Downsizing Before Moving To Assisted Living
Helping your senior loved one downsize before moving to an assisted living facility can be an emotional task. Belongings may be filled with treasured memories that you and your parent dont want to let go of.
But before deciding what to take or what to leave behind, its important to understand the space your loved one will have after they move. It can be helpful to ask for a floor plan and dimensions of the assisted living apartment before moving day.
Assisted living accommodations often come furnished, but many communities allow residents to bring personal items. Bringing a few cherished pieces may make your loved ones new space feel more like home. Its also a good idea to ask what appliances are provided. For example, you might want to ask if apartments are equipped with a mini-fridge, coffee maker, or microwave.
When packing, consider bringing the following:
- Personal items, like medication, toiletries, clothing, photos and keepsakes, jewelry, and eyeglasses
- Entertainment items, like books, movies, hobby supplies, computer, or iPads
- Houseware, like hangers, towels, bedding, and a small selection of plates, cups, and cookware
- , like plants, pictures, and mirror
- Furniture pieces, like a favorite recliner, desk, or dresser
- Cleaning supplies, like dish soap, paper towels, and surface wipes
Directory Of Assisted Living Facilities In Iowa
When beginning the hunt to locate a quality assisted living facility in Iowa, its essential to think about the services they provide and what programs are available to help pay for those care services. The registry below can aid you in your search by providing details and information on more than 150 facilities in the state of Iowa.
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Benefits And Drawbacks Of Assisted Living In Wilmington
- Wilmington experiences ideal mean temperatures, high rainfall levels, more sunny days and much less snow than the U.S. average, making it a perfect climate for seniors searching for a place to retire.
- The city has a reasonable cost of living at 4% lower than the national average. Although its cost of living is higher than the state average, it is still a very affordable place to live.
- Seniors that own property in the city will benefit from taxes that are lower than the rest of the country, although the citys sales taxes average more than the U.S. median.
- Wilmington experiences shorter commutes than the U.S. average, which has been steadily increasing each year. Although residents get to spend less time in traffic in and around the city, the city also has a low public transportation ridership.
- The citys per capita income is $31,846, which is significantly higher than the national average of $25,611. However, seniors looking for assisted living communities to settle in will have to pay care costs significantly higher than those in the rest of the country.
- Active seniors will enjoy the abundance of parks in and around the city, and Wilmington has 27 parks to relax in. Those wanting higher activity levels are also well-catered to with 29 golf courses and 16 health clubs in the citys vicinity.
Who Is Assisted Living For
Assisted living is for individuals over the age of 50 who do not require the full support of a nursing home or residential care home, but may require support now or in the future. It is an ideal solution for couples who wish to continue to live together but have different care needs.
Alternatively, if you or your loved one requires more support then Barchesters residential care homes or nursing homes may be the perfect match.
Seniors and people with disabilities often need supportive living options. When the time comes to start considering your options for assisted living, its easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of housing options. Not only are there different categories of assisted living to choose from, there are also a plethora of homes from which to choose. The right choice depends on a number of factors, including support needs, expense, and personal preference.
Once a home is chosen, theres still a significant barrier to overcome: figuring out how to pay for it. There are a number of different options, but its important to choose the option that will allow for comfortable living now, while also ensuring your resources arent used up too quickly.
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Assisted Living Facilities Near Wilmington Nc
Wilmington is home to an estimated 123,000 inhabitants, including a senior population that numbers 17.8% of that total. The city is located between the ocean and Cape Fear River and has been voted the Best American Riverfront by readers of USA Today. Seniors seeking retirement in a warmer climate may appreciate Wilmingtons hot summers, mild winters and cool ocean breezes during the warmer months. Several beach communities, Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach, are situated within half an hours drive of central Wilmington. The University of North Carolina Wilmington also caters to mature students with various programs available to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Seniors with an active lifestyle but who need assistance with some of the activities of daily living can benefit from joining an assisted living community. These older adults dont require the medical care provided by nursing homes but can also no longer live independently. Seniors in Wilmington pay an average assisted living care cost of $5,877 monthly, which is considerably more than the statewide cost.
This guide provides information on assisted living in Wilmington, as well as the monthly costs of different kinds of care in North Carolinas major cities. It also offers information on free local resources available to the citys seniors.
Assisted Living Occupancy Agreement
When accepted into an assisted living facility, a written occupancy agreement is required. Make sure the agreement includes:
- All of the facilities fees, charges, and rates for rent and services
- The services the resident will receive and a description of those services
- Any third party payments they will accept from the resident
- Their policy on what they do if the residents financial assistance runs out
- How long the occupancy agreement is in effect and instructions on how it can be terminated
- Procedures for involuntary transfer in regards to the residents health or for other reasons
- How the resident can file an appeal or grievance if the need to do so arises
- The assisted living facilities rules in regards to billing and payment, as well as their refund policy
The facility must give the resident or the residents legal representative a copy of the occupancy and all the documents and attachments. If changes are made in the agreement, the assisted living facility is required to provide the resident or his or her representative with a written copy of the changes within 30 days before the changes, unless the following occurs:
- The residents health or behavior causes him or her to become a health or safety threat to self or others.
- An emergency or significant change in the residents condition results in the need for services not already in the residents occupancy agreement.
- The assisted living facility is unable to provide the necessary services.
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What Makes The Parke So Different
Locally Owned
The owners live right here in Tulsa. They take pride in maintaining the place and meeting our needs without all the red tape!
Ray N.
Simple Pricing
Other places were so confusing with their prices. At The Parke, there are no point systems, just a clear price with simple options to add on if we want them.
Jack & Neva A.
Caring Staff
This is the best move Ive made. The staff are caring and loving people. They make life comfortable and safe. I am cared for as well as entertained! 100% well taken care of.
Pat F.
Fun Activities
Activities abound we have movies, shopping trips, lectures, exercise classes, games, entertainment brought in, etc. These can be enjoyed by all.
Monell N.
Great Food
My only complaintthe food is TOO GOOD. Otherwise, why have I gained all these extra pounds?!
Faye T.