This is the scenario many elderly couples face when one spouse needs extra care and the other is unable to provide assistance. Separation is not the only solution as there are other options.
Remaining Home
Couples may remain in their own home and opt to use in home health care. These services may be covered by health insurance or out-of-pocket. There are two types of home health; medical and non-medical. The client and their physician determine what is needed, when and how. Caregivers are sent to the home to help with various tasks allowing people to remain in their home as long as it is safe to do so.
Making the Decision to Move
When it is no longer feasible to live at home there are many choices. Independent, Assisted, Memory Assisted and Skilled Care communities may be separate communities or they may have a continuum of two or more types of living on their campus.
Statistics vary by proving people tend to do better when staying in their own homes but also show people moving into Independent or Assisted Living extend their lives by as much as seven years. The choice to move is driven by the client’s comfort and the advice of the physician.
Choosing Independent Living
When only one spouse needs minimal care, some couples choose to live in Independent Living and use Home Health Services as a pathway to Assisted Living when needed. Independent Living offers a range of amenities and services to help each of them with the everyday stresses. These include housekeeping, a pendant to alert staff of emergencies, at least one meal a day, transportation and social activities. Home Health is an added service privately paid by the client or their insurance.
Assisted Living Options
Assisted Living Communities assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Activities of Daily Living include bathing, dressing, medications, toileting, escort, mobility and transportation. Each community may offer the same cares and amenities but no two are alike. Couples are charged the room rate for a single person and an additional cost for the second. The level of care for the person needing assistance is an additional cost if not inclusive. Levels of care are determined by task, time, point or a la carte and are flexible. Individuals are assessed by the community nurse to determine the amount of care needed. After a period of time another assessment is conducted to evaluate progress. Assessments continue as needed to help monitor needs of the resident and the community’s ability to meet those needs. Assisted Living is paid privately or by Long Term Insurance.
Be Prepared The decision to move into a Retirement Community is not an easy one. No one wakes up and says, “this is the morning I move.” Serious thought goes into the financing, amenities, location, services needed and especially the quality of life offered. Doing this without the help of a Transition Consultant is time-consuming and stressful. Time is saved, and stress avoided when consulting with an expert who is familiar with communities and resources.
Help is available at Bridge to Better Living®. We are here to help walk you through decisions impacting your future and we do so with NO COST TO THE CLIENT. Contact us for more information or make an appointment for a consultation. We are here for you.