If you have a family member who needs senior living help, arranging their care can be emotionally difficult and expensive. If your loved one needs memory care, residential home care or assisted living, arranging for his or her care can be especially challenging both emotionally and mentally. In addition, senior care costs continue to rise, making it all-the-more overwhelming. If you are like many other families, you may be stuck trying to figure out how you will be able to pay for senior care or to help your loved one to qualify for Medicaid. Fortunately, Elder Care Direction is available to help you and your loved one through the entire process so that you can get your loved one the help that he or she needs. There are several things that you can do to make certain that you can get your loved one the senior living services that are needed.
Research and plan
You need to research and plan ahead before care is needed and before your loved one needs to move. If you wait until it is too late, you may have to pay for a community that doesn’t meet your loved one’s needs and that is more expensive than what you can
Make certain that you make the right choice
Moving your loved one multiple times in an effort to try to find the right place can get expensive. It is important that you conduct due diligence by visiting locations several times, talking to the long-term care ombudsmen, checking licensing and having the contracts reviewed before you sign anything.
Ask if the prices are flexible
You shouldn’t view the listed cost of an assisted living facility as being inflexible. Ask if there are any move-in incentives or if the facility might negotiate the monthly cost with you.
Consider more than one location
The cost of living for assisted living communities differs according to the communities in which they are located. Outlying communities and the suburbs might be more affordable.
Compare inclusive pricing to a la carte costs
Ask if the assisted living facility that you are considering offers a la carte pricing. If it does, then you might be able to select some services while making arrangements to provide the others yourself. For some families, however, all-inclusive pricing might be more cost-effective, so make certain that you compare the two options.
Long-term care insurance
If you are planning for your own future long-term care needs, it makes sense to consider getting long-term care insurance. This may help you to bridge the gap between what Medicaid or private insurance might pay.
Consider sharing a room
Shared rooms are generally more affordable than single apartments or rooms. You should check the cost differences of both.
Eligbility for veterans’ benefits
If your loved one or your loved one’s spouse served in the military, your loved one might be eligible for veterans’ benefits to defray the costs of senior care. You should check with the Department of Veteran Affairs to check whether or not this might be available.
Compare the types of care
There are several types of senior living care that are available. You should investigate them to find the option that might work best for your budget and your needs. Elder Care Direction can help you to understand the different options and to plan accordingly.
Contact Elder Care Direction
Getting advice from the professionals at Elder Care Direction can help you to avoid making mistakes when you are planning for your own or your loved one’s long-term care needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or fill out our contact form to learn more.
