Provided by Derek Cockrell
Choosing the most appropriate nursing home or assisted living community in your area for a senior loved one or yourself requires a certain amount of research and planning. Seniors turning 65 years old have a nearly 70% chance of requiring long-term care services in their remaining years.
“A change from independent living to assisted living or nursing home care can be a difficult choice to make. "
Nursing Home or Assisted Living?
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities provide you with a safe living environment where different levels of support and care can be met. If your health condition requires a lot of medical attention, you may need to live in a nursing home where nurses and aides are on staff 24 hours a day.
Assisted living facilities offer you a room or apartment in a shared community. Help is provided with some of the tasks of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and transportation, but medical care is not typically part of this living arrangement.
Making a Decision
When deciding which particular residence is best for you or your family member, it's a good idea to consider the following:
• Specialty care. If your loved one has Alzheimer's disease or dementia, you may want to be sure the facility provides memory care. Perhaps you need a residence that offers care for incontinence or diabetic wounds. Check into the specific types of assistance offered.
• Meals. While many assisted living accommodations have kitchens where you can cook your own food, there are typically dining rooms where residents gather to enjoy a chef-cooked meal. In a nursing home, you are served three meals per day, with no kitchen privileges.
• Amenities. It may be important to you that a nursing home or assisted living residence has a wide array of activities, outings, outdoor spaces, and other amenities.
• Services. Can you receive increased care and remain in the same spot if your health declines?
• Cost. The price of care in either type of residence can be high. Deciding how to pay for residential care, whether through personal funds or Medicaid, is an important part of this decision.
Paying for Residential Living
If you own your home, selling that property will provide you with some of the funds you'll need to afford assisted living or nursing home care. Determine how much equity you have and the balance owed on your mortgage. You can then figure out how much you'll have after the sale, subtracting agent fees and other real estate transaction costs. If you have additional savings, perhaps you can pay for your future living arrangements in full without needing to apply for government assistance.
Plan Your Move
Once you've decided on moving to a residential community, it's time to check out local movers in your area. Go to Angi.com, compare online reviews, get quotes from moving companies, and decide which one can best suit your needs. Be sure to check whether a moving company is offering any special deals, such as senior discounts or credits, before making your choice.
Making the Best Decision
A change from independent living to assisted living or nursing home care can be a difficult choice to make. Consider all of your needs and desires for the years ahead and choose the best retirement community to fit your needs.
Derek Cockrell may be reached at (575) 769-3965 x101 or Derek@ContemporaryBenefitsLLC.com
www.ContemporaryBenefitsLLC.com
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