Advantages of Assisted Living

assisted living

Assisted living (ALF) provides seniors with the care they need to live a more active life. It eliminates the need for pesky errands and chores and offers full-service medical resources. By offering full-service assisted living, residents can spend more time with their family, actively learn, and make friends. Here are some of the advantages of Assisted Living:

Companion Care: Companions provide non-medical assistance to the elderly, including help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, housework, and more. Companions can be scheduled on an hourly basis and may provide care for up to 15 hours a week or even live-in care. The advantage of hourly service is that it is flexible enough to fit around your schedule, allowing you to maintain your independence. A companion will be a good choice for your loved one.

Companion Care: While many people might consider the cost of living in an assisted living facility to be prohibitively expensive, there are many benefits to living alone in an unfamiliar place. Companion care is essential for the elderly, as it prevents feelings of loneliness and isolation. Companionship helps the elderly maintain their mental acuity, delay the onset of dementia, and keep appointments. Companions can also provide transportation to medical appointments.

VA Benefits: The Department of Veterans Affairs offers financial benefits for those in need of assisted living. One of the most applicable benefits is the Aid & Attendance benefit, which is intended to support veterans with long-term care needs. This program does not pay for room and board, but it can help cover other costs. A veteran is also eligible for Medicaid and Medicare programs. A VA member is guaranteed at least some benefits for living in an assisted living facility, regardless of whether they’re disabled.

Public Assistance: Many senior citizens are afraid to request help because they’re worried it will damage their financial future. Public assistance is available for the elderly, but some assistance is based on medical needs. In many cases, the government will even give subsidies or grant money to help pay for assisted living. If you’re considering assisted living, consider all the advantages of living in an assisted care facility, which includes a full-service medical team and meals.

Pricing. Different assisted living facilities have different pricing systems. Some charge one monthly all-inclusive fee, while others bill on an as-used basis. Some ALFs offer units that include kitchenettes and others that do not. Some of them offer special care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions. Lastly, make sure to read contracts and ask questions of the staff. So, make sure to look around before you make the decision to move your loved one to a care facility.

Safety. As an added benefit, most assisted living facilities maintain private rooms. These rooms may have uneven floors or small spaces that make them difficult to maneuver. In addition to private resident rooms, these facilities usually have restaurant-style dining. Many facilities also provide on-site nail salons. While the design of assisted living facilities may not be as stylish as a nursing home, there are still things to consider when choosing a place for your loved one.

Social Connections. The more socially connected your loved one is, the less likely they are to suffer from loneliness or social isolation. Social interaction improves the mood and mental health of seniors. The staff of assisted living communities actively encourage participation in activities and social gatherings. The activity calendar of an assisted living community is dynamic, which means that residents can take up new hobbies, join fitness classes, or travel the world. A senior’s social life can be boosted greatly by living in an assisted living community.

Medicaid coverage. Medicaid is a federal-state program that requires certain minimum levels of coverage for assisted living, but states have more flexibility to offer more comprehensive care. One way these states provide extra care is through Medicaid waivers. These are state-regulated, so they differ from state to state. Medicaid and SSI funds help to pay for assisted living services. By the way, Medicaid provides assistance to those who otherwise can’t afford them. ALFs are often less expensive than nursing homes because they provide less services and have lower overhead.

Assisted living is typically more expensive than independent living. The national median cost of assisted living is $4,300 per month. This amount can be higher depending on the level of care required, location, and amenities. But the benefits of assisted living are worth the additional cost. If you need care, but don’t want to leave your home, assisted living can help you. So, consider assisted living before deciding on an independent living option. There are many options for senior living, from basic to luxurious.