nursing homes - long-term care

Long-Term Care in Nursing Homes: How Long Is Long?

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Many people over the age of 65 may need assisted living in nursing homes. Some of them may require long-term care services and/or a higher level of care, depending on their health condition and care needs.

 

Given the high cost of long-term care in nursing homes, many elderlies may not stay long enough. The length of stay is influenced by several factors but, most especially the cost.

 

 

How Long do Elderly People Typically Stay in Nursing Homes?

An estimated 4-5 years total.

 

This may seem like a long time, but there is data to back it up.

 

According to a 2009 report by a group of research and advocacy organizations within the aged care industry, residents stay in an assisted living facility for an average length of about 28 months or a median of 21 months.

 

According to the 2010 Investment Guide by the National Investment Center, the length of stay is 29 months.

 

It’s safe to say that 2-3 years total is a good number.

 

But because aged care doesn’t start and stop in assisted living, the number of years is likely to increase.

 

Some seniors receive assisted living care at home or in a community-based setting before moving to an aged care facility. Some of them may have to move to a skilled nursing facility, while others would need short-term rehab care that may last for 270 days.

 

So, if you put it all together, long-term care inside and outside of nursing homes could last up to 5 years.

 

 

How Much are Long-Term Care Costs?

In an assisted living facility, 44 hours would set seniors back a monthly average of around $3,600. This excludes other required services that will increase the total cost.

 

In-home care, on the other hand, costs a monthly average of around $3,800.

 

The data is based on the Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey for 2016.

 

Therefore, if you receive in-home care for 9 months before moving into a nursing home for an additional 3 years, your total spending for long-term care alone is $163,800. Add to this the private room that can cost around $7,700 per month and you’re looking at more than $400,000 total spend.

 

But long-term care is inevitable and the best way to spare yourself from financial burden is to prepare in advance.

 

 

Facing the Financial Challenge of Long-Term Care

Speak to a financial planner to help strategize. Rather than rely on your retirement fund alone, which can quickly deplete once long-term care comes into play, find ways to save money for future expenses in nursing homes.

 

Some of your options are:

 

  • Buy insurance for long-term early on. The earlier you start the higher the possibility of you getting one with better policies. Work with an independent insurance agent who is linked to several companies so you can compare coverage.
  • Take advantage of the mortgage windfall and refinance. Then, dedicate some or all of the loan proceeds to a special account for long-term care cost.
  • Save your benefits from social security. This is especially a great idea if you’re well-provided through an employer-sponsored retirement plan and private savings.

 

And when you’re in early retirement, keep spending to a minimum. What you save, you can then put towards paying for the cost of long-term care.

 

 

 

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

memory assisted living - memory care

When Should Dementia Patients Go into Assisted Living?

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People with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can choose to live alone rather than move to an assisted living facility. It’s a choice.

 

In some cases, however, it’s a matter of when.

 

Because there are situations where living alone is no longer safe or suitable for people with dementia.

 

 

Signs that Assisted Living is the Best Choice

When you or a loved one are facing safety issues at home, whether alone or with other family members. For instance:

 

  • Frequent slips and falls, resulting in injuries.
  • Bouts of physical aggressiveness to yourself or others.
  • Loss of appetite or not eating regularly, resulting in unusual weight loss.
  • Missing medication doses or taking too much medication.
  • Starting to wonder and/or forget where you are and what you’re doing.
  • Vulnerable to or is being victimized by a financial scam.

 

And a bigger sign that assisted living is a safer choice is when you or a loved one with dementia is believed to be physically harmed by a caregiver.

 

If you notice any of these signs, you should start looking for a facility to move in. Make sure to look for memory assisted living, where a facility has in-house memory care units for dementia patients.

 

 

Researching for Memory Assisted Living

 

Contact the Nearest Alzheimer’s Association

It can provide you with vital information on dementia care facilities near you. It will also provide social and emotional support to make the entire process easier.

 

 

Start your Search Early on

It is highly recommended that you look for dementia care while you’re still able. Don’t wait for the situation to go bad before looking for one as you’re likely to make a hasty decision. Once you know or are diagnosed with early onset of dementia, start looking for memory assisted living facility near you.

 

 

Put your Affairs in Order well in Advance

Before you start losing your memory or control of a situation, start outlining your care wishes. After diagnosis, your family or loved one is responsible for taking care of your financial and legal planning issues. With a plan in place, however, you will have a say on how and where you receive dementia care.

 

Speak to a lawyer with regards on who to give powers of attorney and health directives. They can also help deal with the legal paperwork.

 

 

Moving into Memory Assisted Living

Moving into aged care is never easy for both the patient and the family. There are ways to soften the blow, however.

 

  • Visit assisted living facilities you’ve been looking at with your family. Have lunch with the residents. You can also attend events to increase the warm familiarity.
  • Pair up with other social and outgoing residents. This will ease the fear of living alone in an unfamiliar environment, a feeling many seniors moving into aged care residences share. Once you make a friend or two, moving in won’t feel so lonely.

 

And all throughout the process, from research to moving, have your family help make arrangements. Just like you would want to have a say in your dementia care, they want to participate in ensuring your welfare too. The more involved they are the less worried they will be of leaving you in memory assisted living.

 

 

 

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco