Senior Assisted Living - More Affordable and Enjoyable Than Expected
Genworth, a global financial services provider of long-term care insurance, recently came out with its 2013 Cost of Care Survey for assisted living and skilled nursing care.
Senior Housing News broke down some of the findings of the survey, chief among them that "the cost of care among facility-based providers has increased over the last five years.
" That rate increase equates to 4.
55% over the five-year period.
Just how much will seniors pay? According to the survey's findings, the national average for this type of care was $41,400.
Compare that to the nationwide average of $83,950 for nursing home care and the price looks like a bargain.
The cost, however, can vary widely depending on the region of the country in which one lives.
Alaska, for instance, topped the Genworth list at $72,000 whereas the same type of care in Missouri costs just $27,450.
Ohio landed somewhere in the middle with a median annual assisted living rate of $47,040 figure represents a 6% five-year annual growth rate.
As might be expected, nursing home rates in Ohio were significantly higher at $82,125 per year for a private room.
But that amount equated to only a 3% five-year annual growth.
But how does one decide between senior assisted living and a nursing home? Senior assisted living typically affords residents much more independence than a nursing home does, so the elderly and their loved ones should have a serious discussion about needs versus cost before opting for the more expensive option.
Once the decision is made, the "New York Times" The New Old Age blog offers advice for "How to Live (Well) in Assisted Living.
" Those individuals who still have their doubts about taking the leap should consider this: One resident cited in the article "sees assisted living as a place to feel alive.
" That's a far cry from the 'place to go to die' mentality many harbor over such senior care.
When asked "about the emotional experiences" of seniors in assisted centers, this proponent of the care model enthused, "The people here adore me and I them.
" He went on to declare that it is pretty close to perfect.
That assertion certainly makes assisted living sound more like home than a prison sentence.
This source also has the unfortunate circumstance of living in near constant pain.
While medication can only do so much to alleviate the discomfort, something else helps.
"Sometimes just a hand on someone's shoulder is all it takes...
Sometimes, just sitting with someone.
Trying to make people more comfortable.
" Fortunately, he finds those sources of comfort in his chosen senior assisted living center.
What would he do differently if he were in charge of his senior living facility? He mentions such ideas as "a community that is alive," "a welcoming committee for every new resident," coming together every week as a peer group to "discuss anything that people think is important," and involvement in activities that make residents feel "busy, productive, happy.
" The presence or absence of these wished-for things is what really determines if a senior assisted living environment is worth its price tag.
Senior Housing News broke down some of the findings of the survey, chief among them that "the cost of care among facility-based providers has increased over the last five years.
" That rate increase equates to 4.
55% over the five-year period.
Just how much will seniors pay? According to the survey's findings, the national average for this type of care was $41,400.
Compare that to the nationwide average of $83,950 for nursing home care and the price looks like a bargain.
The cost, however, can vary widely depending on the region of the country in which one lives.
Alaska, for instance, topped the Genworth list at $72,000 whereas the same type of care in Missouri costs just $27,450.
Ohio landed somewhere in the middle with a median annual assisted living rate of $47,040 figure represents a 6% five-year annual growth rate.
As might be expected, nursing home rates in Ohio were significantly higher at $82,125 per year for a private room.
But that amount equated to only a 3% five-year annual growth.
But how does one decide between senior assisted living and a nursing home? Senior assisted living typically affords residents much more independence than a nursing home does, so the elderly and their loved ones should have a serious discussion about needs versus cost before opting for the more expensive option.
Once the decision is made, the "New York Times" The New Old Age blog offers advice for "How to Live (Well) in Assisted Living.
" Those individuals who still have their doubts about taking the leap should consider this: One resident cited in the article "sees assisted living as a place to feel alive.
" That's a far cry from the 'place to go to die' mentality many harbor over such senior care.
When asked "about the emotional experiences" of seniors in assisted centers, this proponent of the care model enthused, "The people here adore me and I them.
" He went on to declare that it is pretty close to perfect.
That assertion certainly makes assisted living sound more like home than a prison sentence.
This source also has the unfortunate circumstance of living in near constant pain.
While medication can only do so much to alleviate the discomfort, something else helps.
"Sometimes just a hand on someone's shoulder is all it takes...
Sometimes, just sitting with someone.
Trying to make people more comfortable.
" Fortunately, he finds those sources of comfort in his chosen senior assisted living center.
What would he do differently if he were in charge of his senior living facility? He mentions such ideas as "a community that is alive," "a welcoming committee for every new resident," coming together every week as a peer group to "discuss anything that people think is important," and involvement in activities that make residents feel "busy, productive, happy.
" The presence or absence of these wished-for things is what really determines if a senior assisted living environment is worth its price tag.
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