Choosing the Right Senior Living Community for Aging Parents

For caregivers it’s crunch time. You now realize it is time to hand over your caregiving role to the professionals; so how to you know which senior living community is right for your aging parents? This should be a straightforward process; all you need to do is match your parents’ needs with the community providing the requisite services, right? Yes, however, as this decision will affect all parties as you tread on new emotional and financial grounds, the more prepared you are, the more satisfied you’ll be that you’ve made the right decision.

Options for Seniors Who Need Simple to Complex Levels of Care

The range of senior care service runs the full gamut, but only three communities are best suited for parents who have multiple care needs and require simple to complex levels of assistance. These communities are: 1) assisted living 2) Board and Care and 3) Skilled Care.

Assisted Living Communities

What you can expect: Assisted living will provide more than your basic ADLs (eating, hygiene and walking). Their objective is to be the best of both worlds, between independent living and skilled nursing care. Senior services include: 24-hour emergency coverage, toileting, showering, grooming, walking, eating, medication-administration, house-keeping, meal preparations, regular monitoring, money management and Alzheimer’s care. Transportation and social activities are scheduled daily.

Your loved one will likely have their own apartment for privacy or with consent, share with someone. A kitchenette, microwave, refrigerator and other basic comfort amenities may be provided. Access to common areas like the dining room and activities room allow for social interactions.

Financial Consideration:  Price per month ranges from $2000 to $6,500. Private insurance or Veteran’s Aid and Attendance program may cover some of the expenses.

Board and Care Community

What you can expect: Board and Care communities offer a similar type of care service as assisted living, but with more privacy and at a smaller scale. This community is a family-type dwelling, converted into a residence for the elderly and disabled. The setting may work for seniors who value their privacy and who relish that “home-away-from-home” feel.

Services include: three meals a day, laundry services, social activities, ADLs, 24-hour emergency coverage as well as transportation, when needed.

Financial Consideration: Price per month ranges from $2,200 to $4,400. Limited Medicaid funding is available for low-income care seniors.

Skilled Care Community

What you can expect: Skilled Care communities offer extensive, licensed medical treatment to seniors. This level of care is for loved ones who are at the lowest level of functionality and whose health condition requires long-term nursing supervision. Nursing care is focused on keeping a loved one stable and safe. Communal services and social activities are offered to residents on a case by case basis.

Financial Consideration: Price per month ranges from $4,000 - $8,000. Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance accepted.

Key Takeaways:

• Only three communities are best suited for parents who are dependent and who require simple to complex levels of assistance. These communities are: 1) assisted living 2) Board and Care and 3) Skilled Care.
• The objective of assisted living is to be the best of both worlds, between independent living and skilled nursing care.
• Board and Care communities offer a similar type of care service as assisted living, but with more privacy and at a smaller scale.
• Skilled care communities offer a level of care for loved ones who are at the lowest level of functionality and in need of licensed medical care.

Learn More about United Methodist Homes 

If you are intersted in learning more about assisted living and United Methodist Homes, please visit our website or contact us so we can further assist you!