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“Nursing homes” and “assisted living facilities” are not synonymous. These senior living arrangements differ in the health services and levels of care they provide their residents.
For older adults who want to live in a safe, welcoming place, assisted living communities are highly attractive options. Staff members at these locations assist their residents with some activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents of assisted living facilities typically have a greater degree of autonomy than residents of nursing homes—also called skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and retirement homes—do.
All in all, for someone who needs some medical attention and assistance with day-to-day activities, an assisted living facility is ideal. These locations may or may not include a memory care unit designed to house patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
While there are some overlaps between an assisted living community and a nursing home, the difference is that residents of assisted living communities are far more autonomous.
Everyone wants their loved one to stay home for as long as possible. Sometimes, though, family caregivers cannot ensure their loved one‘s well-being and safety the way a specialized facility can. In these cases, an assisted living community is a safe option.
Your loved one deserves high-quality treatment from caregivers that respect their residents’ dignity. Keep the following considerations in mind when choosing an assisted living location.
Part of an elevated assisted living experience comes from a comprehensive list of senior care services, which may include:
Senior housing can be expensive. In fact, the average cost of assisted living and memory care communities is rising. According to Genworth’s 2020 “Cost of Care Survey,” the national average for a one-month stay in an assisted living center is $4,300.
The average cost of an assisted living facility in the Seattle area is $6,750/month, according to Genworth’s 2020 “Cost of Care Survey.” For context, that’s $2,450 more a month than the national average of $4,300.
Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal and state-sponsored programs usually do not guarantee coverage of costs associated with extended stays in assisted living, skilled nursing, or other senior care facilities. Private insurance is therefore the go-to option for covering long-term senior living expenses.
Medicare is government-sponsored health insurance for older adults. It does not cover long-term stays (i.e., stays longer than 100 days) in skilled nursing facilities or medical centers.
Medicaid is a healthcare option for low-income, disabled Americans. Depending on the needs of the insured and the state they live in, Medicaid can cover a significant portion of the costs associated with skilled nursing care services.
Moving into an assisted living facility isn’t a sentence of perpetual boredom; plenty of senior living locations make sure that they offer their residents plenty of opportunities for recreation and community engagement.
Brushing teeth, toileting, and getting dressed are part of a list of tasks that experts call activities of daily living. ADLs are tasks people need to complete on a daily basis, hence their name.
When someone can’t complete these tasks on their own, finding an assisted living facility or other sort of retirement community is necessary. At these locations, people can receive personalized care services adjusted to the unique levels of care they require.
A continuing care retirement community may be the right choice for your loved one in certain cases. Also called CCRCs or life plan communities, these locations are great for older adults who want to stay in a single spot as they age. These communities are flexible enough to meet the needs of many kinds of seniors.
Namely, a CCRC is a singular community that offers a variety of senior living options, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care programs. Residents therefore do not need to move to a new facility to receive the care they need, which can change as they age.
The following resources may help family members wondering if they should continue being the sole caregiver for their loved ones or if they should reconsider their elderly loved ones‘ living options.
Washington State is full of gorgeous natural scenery; Seattle itself has an abundance of natural beauty, being situated between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. It’s also close to the active volcano Mount Rainier, also called Tacoma or Tahoma.
Of course, the Seattle area offers a little something for everyone, not just nature lovers. For example, the historic Queen Anne neighborhood, just northwest of downtown Seattle, is home not only to the world-renowned Space Needle, but also frequently hosts cultural festivals.
Really, the better question is why someone wouldn’t choose to retire in the Seattle area.
Your loved one deserves a facility that does more than simply offer services and amenities; they deserve to be welcomed into a senior living community. There are plenty of assisted living facilities in and around the City of Seattle who are dedicated to their team, residents, and community partners.
If you’re in Washington, discover assisted living communities in and around the Seattle area today!