If you are on the lookout for a residence for a senior with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any other cognitive impairment, an assisted living facility is an excellent choice. These are the places where seniors with dementia can get 24/7 attention and specialized care. Assisted living communities can sometimes be on dedicated floors because the environment needs to be secured for wandering residents and designed in a way to induce calmness. These areas should also be easy to navigate. The staff members are trained to work together with the seniors who have cognitive impairments and give them 24/7 supervision. A higher staff-to-patient ratio provides a greater level of care. They also help senior citizens with daily tasks like bathing, taking medication, eating, and dressing. The seniors can also indulge in structured activities, therapy programs, and exercise.
Long-term Cost Comparison for Assisted Living
The cost of assisted living can depend on many factors including geographic location, whether the rooms are private or shared, and the services needed. Assisted living communities usually charge a base monthly rate that covers the room charges and board with 2-3 meals per day. The average cost for a single-bedroom assisted living apartment comes at around $3,300 per month depending on the location. Some facilities cover laundry, housekeeping, and other services at the base rate while others charge extra. It is important to get the cost breakdown for each facility you’re looking at if your loved ones have dementia.
Many assisted living communities offer specialized care and nursing services, but the cost tends to be a bit higher. In general, such spaces cost around $5,000 per month on average and the costs may vary. However, this is a decision that’ll prove important in the long run because your seniors with dementia will benefit a lot from the intensive care they’ll get. Fortunately, there are a lot of options available that help pay for senior care while reducing the out-of-pocket price tag like Medicaid, Medicare, and veteran benefits.
Get Long-Term Care for Seniors with Dementia at an Assisted Living Facility
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, around 70% of the adults over the age of 65 need long-term care at some point. When your loved ones are no longer able to live independently, caregivers are faced with the difficult decision of what type of care they should go with because not every long-term care option is equal.
Assisted living is one of the fastest-growing residential senior-care options. If your loved ones are still active and vital but they can no longer live independently and need some assistance with daily activities like bathing, eating, or dressing, one of the options available to them is assisted living. Assisted living can be defined as a “long-term care” option that combines housing, health care, and support services as needed. Personal care services provided at assisted living communities include transportation and medication management. Seniors in assisted living also have the option of private rooms or shared spaces, depending on budget and preferences.
As your loved ones age, they’ll need a little extra help with their everyday tasks or in some cases, need specialized nursing care if they have any age-related issues with mobility or conditions like dementia. Assisted living facilities tend to vary in terms of services they offer, but some also have a dementia special care unit (SCU). Even though assisted living facilities aren’t regulated federally, they need to be licensed by the state in which they are located.
What Services are Offered by Assisted Living Facilities?
State regulations usually vary regarding the services that need to be offered in senior care communities, but generally, most assisted living communities offer basic supervised care, medical monitoring, and assist with daily activities like dressing, hygiene, and mobility. Some of the other services that are offered by assisted living facilities include:
- Emergency call systems
- 24/7 access to medical care
- Housekeeping and laundry service
- Health and exercise programs
- 24-hour security and staff supervision
- Frequent organization of social activities and programs
- Two to three Daily Meals
- Transportation services and emergency transportation
Some of these services can be added on top of the base monthly rate. Additionally, these living spaces also include structured activities and programs designed to nurture any resident suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. For instance, many senior assisted living homes offer neighborhoods with both indoor and outdoor spaces designed to be soothing as well as secure, with a range of activities available.
We are Heidi’s Haven, a reliable assisted living facility that provides the best possible care to the seniors in Leesburg, FL. To know more about our services, visit our official website or get in touch with us at 352-787-3034.
