When you're under age 55, there are some challenges to consider when considering senior living options. We've compiled a list of the top 5 things to consider before settling on a plan for your loved one's care. These tips help you navigate the situation, get the information you need, and make the best decision possible, given your circumstances.
Tip #1: Be Informed about your parent's needs!
As part of your decision-making process, familiarize yourself with your loved one's current needs. For example, have they started becoming more forgetful? Do they have any chronic health conditions that require daily medication? Are they still able to drive, or do they require assistance? Having this information will be helpful in your search for senior living because you will be able to narrow down what types of communities will best suit your loved one's needs.
Tip #2:Get Educated
Although you may know a lot about senior living and communities now, it never hurts to continue learning. Consider reading blogs and articles on seniors to understand the different aspects they face every day. Research various communities and the activities they offer. With a better understanding of what your parent will be getting into, you'll feel more confident when approaching them.
Another thing to consider here is what your parent has told you about their experiences in these communities. You should research as much as possible about the experiences other people have had, as this can give you a more accurate overview of what your parent can expect from moving into one of these types of communities.
Tip #3: Review your finances
While most people expect to need senior care when they get older and start to experience health issues, not everyone is prepared for the financial burden. The average annual cost for assisted living is $43,000 and $77,240 for a private room in a nursing home. This can mean that even if one spouse has enough money to pay for care out of pocket, it may not be enough to cover someone else in the family. The good news is that options can help and even make it easier to pay for senior living. Grants, such as the AARP Foundation's Caregiving Grant available nationally, or the SCOA Foundation's Senior Grant in California, can help pay for care. In addition, most states have a Medicaid program that will help cover care. Even if you don't qualify for these programs, there are still ways to pay your way through life's curveballs. For example, regular long-term care insurance that pays your costs may be an option.
Tip #4: Recognize that not all senior living facilities are alike
Whether you've got a parent with special needs who could live in an assisted living facility or looking for a more permanent option for yourself, it's important to explore all of your options. Care homes are not one size fits all; there are many different facilities varying in level of care and regulations. To get an idea of what options are out there, search "skilled nursing facility" or "assisted living" on Yelp, Google, or other social platforms to get a feel for different options. Also, the National Center on Elder Abuse's website contains state-by-state data on regulations and inspections of facilities.
A few considerations before settling on a facility.
● Aim For A Face-to-Face Conversation
Get to know the options, and sit down with your loved ones to discuss their preferences. This gives you the best chance of finding a care option that's a good fit for both of you, and it increases the chances of your loved one being happy with their decision.
● Do Your Research And Check Out Reviews
A quick Dffpartsdirect search will help you determine what people - your loved one included - think about different senior living communities, nursing homes, and home care services. You should also check out local advocacy organizations for a more balanced picture of the sector and available options.
● Consider Home Care And Hospice Care
Hospice care is available for dying people, but they don't have to go into a nursing home right away because of their diagnosis. Home care is also an option, especially if your loved one doesn't need 24-hour care or can stay at home while receiving in-home health treatments, such as physical therapy or wound-care training.
● Build Trust.
Trust is an important factor when looking at senior living communities. You should feel comfortable with the staff and open to asking them questions. Look at the example they set by communication, respect and assertiveness and see if that resonates with you.
● Spending Time At The Community
Once you've decided on a community, you'll want to spend as much time there as possible. It can be hard to narrow it down with so many things to choose from! However, you can get a good idea of which communities will be the best fit for your family by spending a few hours visiting each one and getting to know the staff and your loved one's potential neighbours.
● Location, Location, Location
Senior living facilities are everywhere these days, with new ones popping up. There are now over 15,000 of them across the U.S., and that number is growing every year. It's not just for older adults either; these facilities offer different levels of care so that they're accessible to many different lifestyles. So no matter where your parent's friends go for their daily dose of bingo and jazzercise, chances are good that there's a place for them somewhere nearby. They need to find it and decide whether or not it meets their needs.
Tip # 5: Crawl Before You Walk
People often feel rushed when deciding on moving their loved one into senior living. However, the truth is that you don't have to decide immediately. Instead, take all the time that you need to make your decision! And if you're not ready to make a decision just yet, give yourself a little more time and then come back to it later.
