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As the Baby Boomer generation ages, many families are facing decisions about how to choose a Senior Living Facility for their loved one. Here is a very basic overview of the steps to take to determine what Senior Living Facility would be the best fit for you or your loved one.
Step 1: What is the Level of Care that is Needed?
There are four basic categories of Senior Living Facilities. Each type of community/living facility requires their residents be able to perform certain basic daily living activities. These are universally known as “Activities of Daily Living” or “ADLs”. The five general ADLs are as follows: 1) personal hygiene; 2) dressing; 3) eating; 4) using the bathroom without assistance; and 5) getting in and out of a chair or bed independently. The following is a basic description of each type of Senior Living community and their requirements:
1. Independent Living Community: This is a community where residents can maintain their independent lifestyle with social opportunities and activities available. One or more meals a day may be provided. Residents are expected to perform all ADLs on their own. 2. Assisted Living Community: Designed for residents that cannot live independently but do not need 24/7 care. The resident needs assistance in performing two or more ADLs. These residents can receive up to three meals a day; help bathing and dressing; and receive medication reminders. 3. Memory Care: These facilities are specifically designed to care for residents who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The staff is specifically trained to care for Memory Care residents. 4. Skilled Nursing Care: These facilities are for residents needing 24/7 care or have ongoing medical conditions that need skilled nursing care. This is what was commonly referred to as “Nursing Homes” in the recent past.
Step 2: What can you afford to pay to live in a Senior Care facility? Once the level of care is assessed, the next step is to determine the senior’s net income and net assets available to pay for a Senior Living Facility.
Step 3: What Senior Living Facility would be the best fit for you or your loved one? After you know the needed level of care and what monthly payments the Senior can afford, then the next step is to find facilities that match these two categories. Once you have listed facilities that match your criteria you can then do additional research and make campus visits to determine which facility is the best choice.
Conclusion There are approximately 17 Senior Living Facilities in Mclean County – each offering different levels of care and costs. For more information on this subject consider attending the June 15, 2017 Mclean County Senior Living Seminar presented by the Ritchie Law Office, Ltd. at the Holiday Inn & Suites across from the airport. For more information and to register for the event go to www.mcleancountyseniorliving.com.
This article is a service of Attorney Chad A. Ritchie and the Ritchie Law Office, Ltd.
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