As is well-known, assisted living can be expensive. To meet its expenses, older adults often liquidate investments, work with banks on reverse mortgages or utilize long-term care insurance policies.
Many facilities provide packages of care services while others charge on an hourly basis for personal care services such as grooming or hygiene assistance.
Personal Care
At assisted living communities, the goal is to maintain as much independence for your loved one while providing any assistance they require. With initial and periodic health evaluations to develop an individual care plan for every resident.
These plans cover daily medication management, bathing assistance, escorting to meals and activities, dressing and grooming assistance as well as toileting needs. In addition, they cover transportation needs, laundry services, housekeeping duties, security monitoring as well as 24/7 staffing needs.
Facilities provide three nutritious meals each day as well as engaging programs, providing residents with social connections and convenience from a well-prepared meal without needing to cook or clean themselves at home. Residents may have access to healthcare services via the Community First Choice State Plan Option and Personal Care Aide Waiver programs.
Meals
Residents’ food preferences, restrictions, and allergies must be considered when creating a daily menu for residents. A registered dietitian should be involved to ensure each meal provides sufficient nutritional balance.
Today’s diet includes fresh vegetables, whole grains and lean meat proteins for maintaining bone density and lowering blood pressure. These meals help increase bone strength as well as decrease blood pressure.
Many assisted living homes provide restaurant-style dining where residents select from daily menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – giving residents a sense of autonomy and choice. Some homes even provide small kitchenettes in each resident apartment so that residents can enjoy snacks, soups, ice creams and fresh fruits throughout the day or night! Studies have proven that mealtime experiences play a crucial role in resident satisfaction within long-term care facilities.
Activities
Residents in assisted living often take part in social events, excursions and activities designed to foster physical wellness and mental stimulation. Many communities also employ certified nursing assistants around-the-clock who can assist with personal care services and medication management.
Activities in assisted living that are especially popular are arts and crafts such as pottery and sewing, along with social interaction games that encourage socialization with others. Community events could include cooking classes, recipe book compilations and family scrapbooking projects.
Many communities also offer coordinated group transportation so seniors can easily visit nearby shopping, entertainment and restaurant destinations. If residents lose the ability to drive themselves, staff can assist them in reaching doctor’s appointments and other essential errands – an additional service that comes as part of assisted living costs.
Respite Care
Primary caregivers sometimes need to leave their loved one in the care of others for short periods, such as when traveling for work or meeting family obligations. This type of care, known as respite care, may take place in their home environment, an adult day center, nursing home, assisted living facility or even residential setting such as an assisted living facility. Medicaid waiver programs may cover this expense.
When searching for respite care options for a loved one, it’s essential that they feel safe and secure. Be sure to seek references and meetings before making your selection; alternatively you could consult community agencies or aging services associations in your area or search online tools within each state that provide this type of service.
Pets
Pets provide seniors with companionship and joy. Additionally, they encourage activity (such as dog walking) and increase socialization; furthermore, pets have been shown to reduce stress hormones in humans by playing and petting with them; many nursing homes and assisted living communities now allow pets as a way for seniors to feel more at home in their environment.
Caregiving for pets in an assisted living environment may prove challenging for seniors with declining health and mobility issues, including feeding, grooming and walking duties. Furthermore, some pets may react badly around other animals or people; therefore it’s wise to carefully consider your options when selecting an assisted living community that allows pets. If any questions arises regarding its policies and restrictions.