Senior Living 101

If you've reached middle age and have a parent or parents who are still living it's likely that you've had some interest in learning about senior living.  While people are living longer and, for the most part, healthier, the majority of seniors in their 70's, 80's and 90's have experienced at least one health concern that might impact their ability to live independently.   It is usually during an illness that many families begin to look ahead to a time when their parent will need more assistance than can be reasonably provided at home. 

Learning about senior living options isn't something we're typically going to do without a compelling reason.  One of the most important points to know about senior living is to do your research before there is a crisis. The old adage, "knowledge is power," holds particularly true when going through the emotional challenges of becoming a caregiver to an aging loved one. 

After doing research, families can begin creating a plan in the event that a parent needs to find a more supportive setting.  It is important to have a plan that the entire family agrees upon.  Often, decisions will need to be made quickly and having a plan that is acceptable to everyone will alleviate a great deal of stress.   Another great benefit to creating a plan before a crisis occurs is that the older adult will be able to make their own decision about what type of community they would choose.

As you start searching the various types of senior communities you'll see that there is a wide array of options.  Many communities will have more than one level of care and some may have all that are listed.  Here are some of the most commonly found types of senior housing and their definitions: 

Independent Living (IL) is designed for individuals who do not need assistance with activities of daily living.  They are able to handle personal care needs, manage their own health care and medications and generally live without support.  An independent living community will have private apartments and many will have resort-like amenities such as a pool, fitness room and spa/salon.   Most will offer additional services such as restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, transportation and activities. 

Assisted Living (AL): Residents of assisted living communities need varying levels of assistance and support in order to maintain personal independence. Residents usually receive assistance with personal care, bathing, dressing, medication management, meals, housekeeping and laundry.  The accommodations are usually small apartments that may or may not have cooking facilities.   Assisted living communities may have additional amenities such as fitness centers, beauty salons, libraries and transportation.

Memory Care Assisted Living: This is a more highly specialized form of assisted living.  It provides a secured setting for individuals with significant memory loss who are at risk of wandering.   Residents of these communities receive the same type of care and services provided in a non-specialized assisted living center but will have additional programming addressing needs associated with memory loss.  Memory care communities may also be specially designed to create more optimal environments for people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): Residents in skilled nursing facilities need significantly more assistance and medical care. Stays may be for short-term rehabilitation following a hospital stay or long-term.  While it is not a hospital, they receive 24 hour a day care, all personal care assistance, medication administration, all meals and other supportive services.  There may also be therapeutic recreation, physical and occupational therapy and other treatment options available on-site.

Creating your Plan

The plan does not need to be complex.  You will need to make decisions in the following areas:

1. What area does the family prefer for your parent to locate?  This is important if the family members live in different locations around the country.   Which member of the family is most involved with the day to day decisions involving the parent?
2. What can your parent afford to pay for care and housing?  Senior housing is not inexpensive.    Many families are surprised to learn that Medicare covers only short-term rehabilitative stays in nursing facilities following a hospital stay.  It does not pay for independent living, assisted living or memory care.   Medicaid rarely, if ever, pays for any other type of care/housing other than skilled nursing care.  In order to use Medicaid benefits assets must be exhausted to minimum levels determined by the state.  There are some very good benefits available to war time Veterans and their spouses.  If your parent is a Veteran he or she may be eligible.
3. If your parent needs supportive living, what type of community would be a good fit? Tour a variety of communities, with your parent if possible, to decide which would be a good match