Monday 15 July 2013

The Big Conversation: Discussing Assisted Living with Your Senior Parent



Assisted living is a good senior care option for those who seek some level of independence. This means that they don’t have serious health issues and can generally look after themselves. Approaching the subject of moving your senior parents into an assisted living community can be difficult and needs to be carefully thought out. 

Think of assisted living as an opportunity for your parent(s) to live in comfort with people closer to their own age. Discuss how it offers them a chance to make new friends and have fun – without the hassle of running their own home. 

How to Approach the Topic with a Senior

Adult Care Advisors offers you a few tips on how to have this important discussion with your senior loved ones. 

  • Early Beginnings: Approach the topic well in advance. This is not the kind of decision that should be rushed, so make sure that your senior parent has enough of time to think about and get used to the idea of living in an assisted living community.

  • Point of View: Put yourself in your parent’s shoes – what are your primary concerns with regard to assisted living? When having the discussion make sure you address all of these issues. Remain sensitive to the anxiety and help your senior feel positive about the transition. Make sure it is a two-way conversation – let your senior ask questions.
  • Research: Only begin the discussion after doing a fair bit of research. This will help you understand what assisted living entails and possible options in your area. Besides this, citing real life examples can put your parent at ease. Creating a mental ‘pros & cons’ list might also help.
When choosing an assisted living community, cost is definitely a major consideration. Although more expensive than other senior care communities, don’t assume that these facilities are beyond reach for most people with average incomes. More importantly, think of it as simply a shift of expenses from one living arrangement to another for your seniors.

Each assisted living community varies according to the amenities and care services, so these factors influence costs. According to some industry statistics, the median rate for a private one-bedroom apartment in an assisted living residence in 2011 was $3,300 per month. Adult Care Advisors can provide you with sound advice on how to determine costs and find affordable assisted living in New Jersey.

Assisted Living Communities – Medicare, Medicaid, and More

Paying for senior care communities can be a challenge for many, but with adequate planning, assisted living can be an affordable options your senior.

Medicare and Medicaid: Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of enrolling at an assisted living community. Medicaid, on the other hand, may offer financial help towards assisted living costs in some cases.
Reverse Mortgage: This enables senior homeowners, aged 62 and above, (especially those with significant equity in their homes) to get some funds out of their homes with no tax penalties.

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Pension: Some senior citizens may be eligible for the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Pension program. This allows financial aid to those who qualify and are in need of assistance with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing, etc.

Source:-
http://www.zimbio.com/Senior+Home+Care+at+Los+Angeles+with+Skilled+Nursing+Facility/articles/Az-LEWQkW7q/Conversation+Discussing+Assisted+Living+Senior?add=True

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