10 Frequently Asked Questions About Assisted Living For Senior Couples
Introduction
The idea of assisted living for an elderly couple may seem a little odd, but it is actually becoming more common. This is not a new phenomenon, as there are numerous cases of elderly couples living in nursing homes together throughout the United States and the world.
In this article, we discuss what assisted living for an elderly couple actually entails, how much it typically costs to live in one of these facilities, and provide case studies which outline how some couples make this type of living situation work.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Assisted Living For Senior Couples
1. What Is Assisted Living For An Elderly Couple?
Assisted living for an elderly couple is a form of housing that allows a couple to live together in the same residence, with the help of aids and/or services. In many cases, the cost of daily care is covered as well. Just as there are various types of assisted living facilities depending on the clientele they serve, the kinds of “assistance” these facilities provide vary accordingly. This means that while one type of facility may allow a couple to eat in their unit’s dining room and attend all their social events together, others would only allow them to eat in their private room.
The assistance and services that many elderly couple facilities provide include assistance with washing/dressing, showering, safekeeping of medications or other necessary medical devices, safety checks by a nurse/caretaker on a regular basis, social interaction with other residents and the opportunity to engage in activities (i.e., going for walks, movie nights, group dinners in a dining room), relationship counseling to help couples work out any issues they may have had prior to moving into the facility (i.e. communication problems between the two partners that can occur in any marriage) and religious and cultural activities
2. How Much Is The Usual Monthly Fee Charge?
Similar to assisted living for an elderly couple, there are various aspects to consider when looking at the cost of assisted living for a single person. Most of these types of centers charge a monthly fee, which usually ranges anywhere from $2500-$4500. The exact fees could be higher or lower depending on the amount of assistance provided and also based on whether the resident smokes, drinks alcohol, or requires certain medical treatments. In addition to paying monthly fees, there may be costs for additional meals, transportation to different locations, and special equipment/hospice care. These costs can vary widely as well depending on how much assistance a resident receives.
3. Do Senior Couples Have To Pay More For Assisted Living Than They Would For A Nursing Home?
It depends on the facility. Some senior assisted living facilities will charge more for accommodations, meals, and transport. The best way to accurately compare different facilities is to complete a personal assessment.
4. What Are The Advantages Of An Individualized Assessment?
It allows you to obtain a better estimate of what it will cost for an assisted living facility depending on your specific needs and situations. An individualized assessment will help you determine if you can afford certain services such as 24-hour security, transportation to and from appointments, or other options that may be beneficial to the elderly couple who is moving into the assisted living facility.
5. Can A Couple Share A Room In An Assisted Living Facility?
They can, but it is not always possible. Many senior couples who are looking into assisted living are concerned with the amount of staff that will be available to deal with their needs. If there is only one staff member for every eight or ten residents, it can be hard to provide separate rooms for every resident. However, when you fill out your personal assessment form, you can let the senior living facility know what your expectations are and what kind of care you will need. They may have some options that you don’t realize.
6. How Will An Assisted Living Facility Be Different From My Current Home?
Assisted living can provide senior couples many things that they may not have at home. It allows them to keep their independence, to be able to cook and eat meals, and to take part in daily activities that may help them feel more settled. It is very important for seniors who are moving into an assisted living facility to get as much information about the living arrangements as possible. That way, you can make sure that your needs will be met while still having a positive experience at the senior living facility.
7. What To Take Home With You?
While it is important to start the process of settling into a senior living facility as soon as possible, that doesn’t mean that you can’t take a few items home with you. For one thing, many facilities will offer free or reduced priced furniture for seniors who are moving out. That means that it could save you money if you are interested in donating your furniture (or take it home if you prefer).
A lot of senior living facilities also offer moving supplies such as boxes and packing tape. This can be a great way for seniors to finish up their transition without spending extra money on the materials they need to do so.
8. What Are The Rights Of Seniors Who Live In Assisted Living Facilities?
Assisted living provides many advantages for seniors who are looking to move into a more independent environment, including opportunities to keep their independence, self-drive and cook meals. However, it is important to know that there are certain rights that you can expect from the assisted living facility about what they will provide for seniors and what they won’t.
In general, senior couples do not have the right to maintain complete control over their own community. However, they do have the right to maintain some level of control over what type of care they will get while living in an assisted living facility. For instance, a senior living facility cannot force one partner to leave if they are causing problems for the other partner.
9. What Steps Should Couples Take To Prepare For The Move Into An Assisted Living Facility?
When you are considering moving into an assisted living facility, you should start by creating a plan. This includes listing out all of your and your spouse’s medical issues, determining how much support will be provided by family members or other services that will be available to help you adjust to new surroundings, creating a list of questions and concerns that need to be addressed before moving in, etc. Taking the time to ensure that every aspect of your life is in order can help you be much more prepared once you start making arrangements for your move.
10. Is There A Difference Between Assisted Living And Assisted Living Facilities?
Although most assisted living facilities provide senior couples with the same level of care, there are factors that can distinguish one facility from another. For example, some facilities may have different services available or offer senior residents more convenient amenities than others. This means that couples should make sure to ask the questions they need to before choosing where they will live.
Conclusion
Before moving into an assisted living facility, it is important to be prepared in order to make the best possible decision. There are many things that you can do to prepare yourself for the move by looking into facilities with different types of services and amenities, or comparing different facilities so that you can make the right decision for yourself and your spouse. When considering how much daily assistance will be provided by staff members, you should consider what services and accommodations you need. Make sure to ensure that every senior in your new community is getting what they need regardless of their age or ability level.