Assisted Living VS Independent Living: What Is Best For Your Senior Loved One?
Introduction
As the US population gets older, it is becoming a more and more important topic. Wherever you are in your life, there is an age that many people are reaching into where they can now consider the issue of assisted living or independent living. If you are looking to make this decision yourself, you have come to the right place!
The purpose of this article is to provide some guidance for whether assisted living or independent living would be better suited for your needs as someone aging into old age.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a great option for those who are not able to live on their own. It’s a nice way to be supported as you go through your life. However, it can be quite expensive.
As an example, if you are getting old and retired, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits and one of the eligibility requirements is that you are “sufficiently independent” (as opposed to “disabled”). If Social Security decides that you are “sufficiently independent,” they may lower or eliminate your benefits. The way they determine this is to have you fill out an application and then have a worker visit your home for an inspection and evaluation. This evaluation can be made to look very negative. For example, if you need an extra person to help you make your bed in the morning, this will be counted against you. If the government thinks that you are not sufficiently independent, then it could result in a big reduction in your benefits.
If the government thinks you are “sufficiently independent,” they will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to pay for you to live in assisted living (as opposed to nursing homes, hospital facilities, or other forms of care).
What Is Independent Living?
If you have no problem with making your bed in the morning without help, then assisted living would probably not be an issue. However, if you are concerned about making sure that your needs are met, then you should consider going in for an evaluation yourself.
The place that can offer this evaluation is the local Social Security office. At your next appointment, ask about Independent Living Evaluations and see if there is one available for you. This evaluation will probably be an interview with a worker who will visit your home and do an inspection. The purpose is to make sure that you can take care of most of your daily activities by yourself. This can include things like making meals, showering, taking medications, etc. If you are able to do so much for yourself, then you will be considered “sufficiently independent.”
If you are said to be sufficiently independent, then this may lower or eliminate your benefits (as explained in the section above). However, if you are not sufficiently independent, then the government has a protocol written into their regulations about what to do next. Your benefits will be continued while they determine what’s best for you.
This protocol dictates that if your benefits are being continued, then you should continue to go to a home health aide. If your Social Security benefits are ended, they will transfer you into a hospital facility that has beds available. If this is no longer necessary, then they will move you into a nursing facility. However, if the government decides that there is still an issue with your ability to take care of yourself at home and gets the approval of a doctor or other health professional, then they can move you into nursing home settings. This means that you would also have to lose your driver’s license.
How Much Does Independent Living Vs Assisted Living For Seniors Cost?
The cost of assisted living and independent living, respectively, is difficult to estimate. In the past, costs have varied from $0 (if done with spouses), to $20,000 (if done with caretakers). Costs vary by state. So, for example:
In 2014 in Florida you can find full-service assisted living at a low of $2,500 per month. The high-end can reach $7,500 per month. For independent living costs go from $2,000 to $6,000 a month.
In California, the average cost is over $4,000 a month. This can be low or high depending on the facility.
Who Is Eligible For Assisted Living Or Independent Living?
In the past, many people were not eligible for assisted living or independent living. However, the Social Security program has made a few changes that may make it more likely that you would qualify. The main change is that people are now required to be at least 65 years of age before they can apply for independent living or assisted living services. After this, they can apply as long as their income is not too high and they are deemed to be “sufficiently independent.”
If you have enough money to pay for your own care in an assisted living or independent living setting, then you should be able to qualify. If you have questions about whether or not you would qualify, talk with your doctor or your social workers first.
Conclusion
There is very little difference between independent living and assisted living. Both are similar services with the person who provides these services helping the older person to get through their daily tasks, personal problems, and medical needs. They both have the same advantages, disadvantages, and costs. So, depending on what you need most from your caretakers you will choose between independent living versus assisted living.
If you decide to go with independent living, you will find that the government will continue to pay your social security benefits until they decide that you do not need the assistance. After that happens, they will find a way to help you transition from independent living into a nursing home or assisted living facility.
The main choice is whether or not you need the services of an in-home aide. This is why it’s better to have this decision made by having an Independent Living Evaluation done by the Social Security office rather than just waiting until you get sick and then deciding what caretakers are needed.