Moving a Parent into Assisted Living – Making It Easier on Family
Assisted living facilities provide long-term health care services while maintaining a level of independence. The combination of quality care, social interaction, and available privacy can make it an ideal choice. Affordable LTC Insurance can be a source of funding.
As we grow older, everyday tasks start to become a little more challenging. The need for assistance with daily living activities is a perfectly normal part of aging that most of us will experience at some point in our lives.
Assisted living can be a blessing to seniors who need assistance with their daily activities but want to remain as independent as possible. As a family member, there’s a lot you can do to help your senior loved one choose the best living arrangement for their care needs and lifestyle. Here are some things to keep in mind as you navigate this tough decision together.
Choose a Facility Together
Choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one can be very challenging. It’s a good idea to start this search before extra care becomes an immediate necessity. This data from Lottie could help you.
It’s a good idea to start this search before extra care becomes an immediate necessity. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to review your options and scrutinize your top choices. Make sure you involve your senior loved one in all of the decisions that come up along the way. You can also bring their doctor into the conversation and ask for their input—they might suggest alternatives like skilled nursing or memory care for your loved one.
When reviewing assisted living facilities, base your search on preferred specific room types, and look for amenities your loved one would like. This will also help you narrow down your options to facilities within your budget. While cost shouldn’t be the only factor you consider in this decision, it’s undoubtedly important.
Find out if your loved one owns a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. If they do, it will give them additional resources to pay for care.
Watch for Signs That It’s Time for Assisted Living
Seniors may display certain behavioral signs that assisted living would be beneficial for them. For example, you may notice that your loved one has started to neglect certain household chores, social responsibilities, or personal hygiene.
Mobility limitations may also indicate that it’s time for assisted living, especially if your loved one lives alone. Mobility challenges can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. While there are steps you can take to prevent falls, they may not be enough to ensure your loved one’s safety.
You may also notice specific mental or emotional changes in your loved one. A move may be helpful if your loved one is experiencing memory problems. Keep an eye out for these signs so you can help your loved one get the care they need.
If you are a caregiver to your loved one, pay attention to signs that you could use some help. According to Aging In Place, nearly half of all family caregivers have difficulty balancing their work and personal lives with providing for their senior loved ones. While most caregivers state that caring for their loved one is worthwhile, stress is common among this group of selfless individuals. If you’re feeling strained, moving your loved one into assisted living may be in everyone’s best interest.
Be Sensitive and Compassionate
If you start to notice signs that your loved one would benefit from extra care, be gentle about broaching the subject with them. It’s common for seniors to feel stressed or anxious about moving into an assisted living facility. After all, AARP reports that 76 percent of adults want to age in place. Accepting that this may not be possible can be very discouraging.
Try to be patient and sensitive during assisted living conversations. At first, your loved one may be resistant to the idea of moving out of their home. Ask them questions about why they don’t want to accept care. They may have concerns about privacy, autonomy, or cost. Listen carefully to their concerns and respond in a caring and understanding manner. Through productive conversations, you two can work out solutions and ensure that your loved one’s assisted living care does not interfere with their desire for independence.
Moving into an assisted living facility is more of a process than an event. Don’t try to rush this tough decision. Try to view the process from their point of view! If you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or frustrated in their situation, there’s a good chance they do as well. Give your senior loved one time to decide so they can enjoy a seamless transition into their new living environment.
After her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Lydia Chan found herself struggling to balance the responsibilities of caregiving and her own life. Nowadays, she is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences with caregivers and seniors. She is the co-creator of Alzheimer’s Caregiver, a website that aims to provide tips and resources to help caregivers.
About the Author
After her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Lydia Chan found herself struggling to balance the responsibilities of caregiving and her own life. Nowadays, she is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences with caregivers and seniors. She is the co-creator of Alzheimer’s Caregiver, a website that aims to provide tips and resources to help caregivers.
Lydia Chan
Contributor since February 11th, 2020
Editor's Note
For many American families, the first thoughts about long-term care start when an older parent or family member requires care. The adult children see what happens to their parents and start asking themselves how their family will address their future aging needs.
People require long-term care due to an illness, accident, or the impact of aging. As people discover, health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, pay little or nothing toward this type of care. Medicaid will pay for long-term health care, but you must have little or no income and assets to qualify for those benefits.
While it surprises many families, more people are aware that planning for the financial costs and burdens of aging is their responsibility. Yet, too many people have prepared for the costs and burdens of aging.
Families are not well-equipped to be caregivers, and family caregivers are usually untrained and unprepared for the role. Adult children must juggle their career and family responsibilities with the demanding job of being a caregiver. Being a caregiver is hard work, stressful, and takes a significant amount of time.
If you need help finding a caregiver for your loved one and need help finding out the next steps, read our guide - Finding Quality In-Home Care | LTC News
Paid professional care, either for in-home care or in a facility like assisted living, is costly, and it can quickly drain a significant amount of assets. The draining of assets has an adverse effect on income, lifestyle, and legacy.
Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance provides guaranteed tax-free resources, so you have a choice of quality care in the setting you desire. You maintain control and independence, and your family then has the time to be family.
Reduce Family Stress with Affordable LTC Insurance
An advance plan reduces the stress on everyone. While these policies are critical to your future needs, you must have a plan in place before your health starts changing. Most experts suggest obtaining coverage in your 40s or 50s when you still enjoy good health and low premiums.
The Long-Term Care Partnership Program offers special policies with additional dollar-for-dollar asset protection. Plus, many states offer state tax incentives. See if your state is a partnership state and get crucial other information by clicking here.
Be sure to get the help of an experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist who can provide you with accurate quotes from all the major companies, along with professional recommendations. Find your trusted specialist now - Work With a Specialist | LTC News
Available Resources on LTC NEWS
LTC NEWS offers several tools and resources to help you in your research for a planning solution or help your family find the appropriate care for a loved one at the time of crisis.
To help you plan for the future costs and burdens of changing health and aging, LTC NEWS can put together several resources, including:
- The LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator will show you the financial impact of long-term health care where you live. It will also show you state-specific information on tax benefits, care options, rules, and more.
- The Ultimate Long-Term Care Guide is an outstanding read to help you get a good overview of the topic area.
- Compare the major insurance companies that offer Long-Term Care Insurance products here - Top Insurers for Long-Term Care Insurance | LTC News.
- A detailed tax guide that includes available tax incentives can be found by reviewing the Long-Term Care Tax Benefits Guide.
Find all the resources on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.
Seek Professional Advice
Experts suggest using a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you navigate the many options available to you and your family. Insurance rates are regulated, so no insurance agent, agency, or financial advisor can give you special deals. However, premiums do vary over 100% between insurance companies for the same coverage.
A specialist who works with the top companies can match your age, health, family history, and other factors and find you the best coverage at the best value. A specialist will save you money, and you will have the peace of mind knowing they are making the appropriate recommendations - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.
Find Quality Caregivers and Long-Term Care Facilities
If your parent or loved one needs care now - or soon - you will need to find the appropriate care in the right setting depending on their needs.
Take a moment and read -
Get Expert Help Filing an LTC Insurance Claim
LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation to help you, or a loved one complete the claim's process with your Long-Term Care Insurance policy. You can also support finding quality caregivers and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy or not. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News.
Benefits of Reverse Mortgages
Today's reverse mortgages for those aged 62 and older could be an ideal resource to fund a Long-Term Care Insurance policy OR even provide money to pay for care if you, or a loved one, already needs help and assistance.
Some people have much of their savings invested in their homes. With today's reverse mortgages, you can find ways to fund care solutions, care itself, even help with cash flow during your retirement.
Learn more by asking questions to an expert. LTC NEWS columnist and host of the TV Show "62 Who Knew" will answer your questions regarding caregiving, aging, health, retirement planning, long-term care, and reverse mortgages.
Just "Ask Mike." - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.
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