Last time we talked about Home care and Home Health. This part is on Community Living.
What are the differences?
retirement community is a residential community or housing complex designed for older adults who are generally able to care for themselves; Most are for folks 55 and over. assistance from home care agencies is allowed in some communities, and activities and socialization opportunities are often provided. Some of the characteristics typically are: the community must be age-restricted or age-qualified, residents must be partially or fully retired, and the community offers shared services or amenities.
There are various types of retirement communities’ older adults can choose from, and new types of retirement communities are being developed as the population ages. Examples of retirement community types include:
- Assisted Living Communities, also known as Assisted Living and Memory Care assisted living communities, which provide all the daily services seniors need in an apartment or condominium style environment – such as activities, dining, housekeeping, nursing, and wellness – usually in a locked and secured building.
- Congregate housing, which includes at least one shared meal per day with other residents.
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities,
- Independent senior living communities
Most CCRCs include an entrance fee and a monthly fee, and these costs vary widely depending on several factors: the luxuriousness of the facility, the size and type of housing unit, whether the person enters alone or with a spouse, and how much future care is covered. Additionally, residents should plan on a 3-6% increase in monthly fees each year.
CCRC’s usually offer various payment plans, which are listed below:[14]
- Life care: Residents pay a large entrance fee (average $270,000) and pay a set monthly fee (average $2,750) that does not increase if additional healthcare is needed
- Modified: Residents pay a lower entrance fee (average $239,000) and their initial monthly fees (average $2,400) cover a certain amount of higher-level care. The monthly fees rise when further care is needed (assisted living average $4,400; nursing care average $8,200).
- Pay as you go: Residents pay a lower entrance fee (average $238,000), but initial monthly fees (average $2,000) increase when additional care is needed (assisted living average $4,300; nursing care average $7,700)
One risk of entering a CCRC is that most will refund only a portion or none of the entrance fee if a resident chooses to leave the community. The same refund policies exist when a resident passes away. Persons considering moving into a CCRC may wish to research existing CCRCs before committing to one.
Up to 75% of seniors have admitted to making some kind of medication mistake.
43% report feeling lonely.
What about costs to the Senior?
Home care can be $25.00 to $45.00 hourly
Home health can be $60.00-585.00 per “package”
Assisted living can be $2400-8500 depending on apartment size and care needs.
Why would you pick community living?
Care fees start at about $20.00 per day VS $25-45 per hour
Your home has just gotten too big and you are only living in part of your house
You wish you had a more social life
Assisted living communities have trained aids around 24 hours a day in case you need them
Care can be added if needed and can be temporary
Having three hot meals a day is important to you
Housekeeping is done for you!
You can get your laundry done and delivered for a small fee, sometimes it’s even included.
In surveys done by Home Care of America, 9 out of 10 seniors want to stay in their own homes. So, before we dive into that, let’s give you some descriptions of what each possibility is.
Home CARE: Non-medical services provided in your home. Personal care may include: dressing, bathing, feeding, grooming, housekeeping, shopping, cooking, transportation and respite care.
Home HEALTH: Skilled nursing, physical therapy, Occupational therapy, speech swallow and social services work in your own home. Some can even provide IV therapies, Ostomy care and Wound Care.
Community Living: Independent and assisted living communities are places you go to live that usually are 65 and older. Apartment style living. All care provided usually by staff. Included in basic rent is housekeeping, meals, transportation and activities.
How to decide which one is right for you? let’s give you some numbers to think about.
By the year 2020, there will be 56 million people in the US over 65. In 2050, there will be 84 million. 40% of those over 65 need assistance. 70% will need help temporarily (situational, broken hip, etc.)
What are some signs you might need more help?
Isolation, Hygiene, losing weight, missing medications, falling, not paying bills on time, missing appointments, and confusion.
Up to 75% of seniors have admitted to making some kind of medication mistake.
43% report feeling lonely.
How do these solutions benefit families?
Overall health is better when someone is taking care of their loved one
Jobs are not affected due to constant time off resulting in fewer lost wages
What about costs to the Senior?
Home care can be $25.00 to $45.00 hourly
Home health can be $60.00-585.00 per “package”
Assisted living can be $2400-8500 depending on apartment size and care needs.
Why would you pick community living? Here are some things to consider:
Care fees start at about $20.00 per day VS $25-45 per hour
Your home has just gotten too big and you are only living in part of your house
You wish you had a more social life
Assisted living communities have trained aids around 24 hours a day in case you need them
Care can be added if needed and can be temporary
Having three hot meals a day is important to you
Housekeeping is done for you!
You can get your laundry done and delivered for a small fee, sometimes it’s even included.
If you’d like more information or just some honest help to decide what is truly best for you, feel free to contact me at Kelley@carepartnersliving.com or call me at 425-931-2951
Kelley R. Smith
CarePartners Senior Living
