Making the decision to leave the family home that you’ve spent your life making memories in to move to an assisted living facility can be a difficult one, but there are many occasions when it doesn’t just make practical sense, it can be a move that makes a huge improvement to a senior’s quality of life.
Is Assisted Living Right For You?
If you’re struggling to maintain your house, find coping with bill payments, cooking, chores, and personal care difficult, or are feeling isolated and worried about how you’ll cope with such things in the future, moving into an assisted living facility could be a good decision.
Modern assisted living facilities are designed around the idea of encouraging seniors to retain their independence, maintain good social connections, and stay mentally and physically active. Many seniors find that rather than “settling down” in an assisted living facility, they thrive when the burdens of managing their day-to-day lives are removed.
Questions to Ask When Considering an Assisted Living Facility
If you’re considering an assisted living facility, but aren’t sure if it will be a good fit for you, consider asking the following:
- Are pets welcome?
- Do the apartments/studios come with their own kitchen?
- What is the social calendar like?
- Are residents encouraged to go off-site for events and socializing, if they’re able?
- Are guests welcome for mealtimes and activities?
- Is aging in place possible?
Some assisted living facilities provide a resort-like environment, making them ideal for active seniors who simply want a little extra support with their day-to-day needs. Others cater to people with more limited mobility who need much more hands-on help with dressing, bathing, and other activities.
Depending on your age your priority may be finding a facility that has a gym, pool, and other luxuries, moving to one with the option to age in place or finding a community that has many other residents who are at the same stage of life as you.
Financial Support for Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities are usually all-inclusive in that residents pay a fee for room, board, and utilities. This means the cost can look intimidating at first glance, but when you consider the bills you’ll no longer have to worry about the price can become more appealing.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get financial support for some or all of the cost of assisted living. For example, veteran benefits can be used to cover some of the bills, and Medicare or Medicaid payments could cover a portion of the cost of a senior has care requirements due to reduced mobility or a medical condition.
If you’d like to know more about assisted living and whether it’s for you, contact us at Heidi’s Haven to request more information or book a tour of one of our facilities.
