Choosing a senior living facility is a big decision. Obviously, you want to choose the best place for you or your loved one, but with so many options and fine print, it’s difficult to know which nursing home or assisted living community is the right one. As you begin your senior living search, use these questions to guide you.
What type of care do you need?
Start by identifying the level of care you need. There are three main types of senior living facilities:
Independent living
Independent living is for adults who want help with cooking, cleaning, and home maintenance. Independent living residents live in private dwellings without a personal care aide.
Assisted living
Assisted living specializes in custodial care or non-medical assistance with daily activities like eating and bathing. While many assisted living facilities offer basic health services, skilled nursing staff aren’t required on-site. Assisted living also includes facilities that specialize in memory care.
Skilled nursing
Found at skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes, skilled nursing is the highest level of care. People who need rehabilitative care following a hospitalization should choose an SNF. For long-term care following a decline in health, nursing homes are the preferred choice.
How will you pay for long-term care?
Senior living is a great resource for adults who can no longer live at home, but cost is a barrier. Here are the top ways families afford senior living:
Medicare
Medicare covers up to 100 days in a Medicare-approved SNF or nursing home. However, Medicare doesn’t cover custodial care or rent in a senior living facility.
Medicaid
Unlike Medicare, Medicaid will cover long-term care. Eligible seniors must meet income and asset qualifications and choose a facility that accepts Medicaid. Medicaid eligibility and covered services vary by state. Contact your Area Agency on Aging to learn about Medicaid guidelines in your state.
Long-term care insurance
Older adults who purchased long-term care insurance in their 50s and 60s can tap those policies to pay for senior living. Policies may limit facility choices, cap benefits, and/or require an elimination period before benefits start. Understand the fine print of your LTC policy before choosing a facility.
Private payment
Many Americans self-pay for senior living using personal assets to cover the costs, often by selling a home. Understand how far your equity will go by subtracting selling costs and outstanding mortgage balance from the home’s value, using local home prices and similar properties to estimate its worth. In some cases, you may be able to use an advance on a life insurance policy or sell a life insurance policy to pay for care.
What should you look for in a senior living community?
You don’t want to choose any facility for you or your loved one, you want the best senior living community. Ask these questions to help evaluate your senior living options.
Payment
- Does the facility accept your long-term care insurance or Medicaid plan?
- Is the fee structure all-inclusive, tiered, or a la carte?
- What’s included in core services? Which services cost extra?
- Is there an entrance fee or security deposit?
- Is the base fee a set rate or subject to change?
- What are the facility’s transfer and discharge policies?
Facilities
- What size and types of units are available?
- Does the facility offer private units?
- Do units include private bathrooms and/or kitchenettes?
- What type of common areas and outdoor spaces are available?
- What amenities are available on-site?
- Is transportation to off-site services provided?
Community
- Is the facility clean, organized, and well-lit?
- What is the ratio of staff to residents?
- How do employees interact with residents?
- Do residents seem happy, hygienic, and safe?
- Are the meals nutritious and high-quality?
- What types of activities and events are available to residents?
- What is the visitation policy? Are overnight guests permitted?
- Are residents allowed to have pets?
You have a lot of options when choosing a senior living facility, so weigh them carefully. Research senior living communities in your area and tour several that meet your criteria. When you take the time to choose the right facility for you or your loved one, you can rest assured that you’re putting your family in good hands.
Guest Post from Hal Salazar, Elders.today
When it is time to sell, the HomesMSP Team can thoughtfully guide you through the process. See Moving to Assisted Living and Selling the Family Home
We love what we do and it shows! Call 763-694-1073 or email shensrud@homesmsp.com.
