Assisted living communities are often a happy medium for adult children that want to know their parents are safe and medically cared for, and independent senior parents that are not ready, physically or emotionally, for a nursing home environment. A wide range of communities can be found in most major cities, and it’s important to choose a facility based on the needs of the future residents as well as the cost. In Ohio, the environment of assisted living facilities range from basic urban apartment living to near resort-like standards. Assisted living communities typically offer socialization opportunities, on-staff nursing and assistance with daily living activities, as needed. One of the best benefits they offer, surely, is peace of mind to concerned family members.
Most assisted living communities customize an individual care plan for each resident, based on the resident’s current needs. These plans are updated regularly as the health condition of the residents change. Most offer:
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Two or more meals per day
- Recreational activities
- Security
- Transportation
- Help with daily life tasks
- Healthcare management
- Health monitoring
- Medication management
According to a 2011 survey, the average age of a resident of an assisted living facility is 86.9 years old. The average stay of a resident in this type of a community is only 25.6 months. When planning for your loved ones future, it is important to balance the services offered and the cost, and keep in mind that unless the community is part of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), the stay will likely be fairly short-term.
Another important point to remember is that the base rate charged by assisted living communities is not typically the price you pay per month. Most of these communities offer additional services in an ala carte style, added on to a “base rate”, to customize each resident’s stay. Consider the following national cost for service averages:
- Assistance with bathing- $307 per month
- Assistance with dressing- $352 per month
- Assistance with toileting, eating, or other personal care- $530 per month
- Medication management- $370 per month
It’s easy to see how these things can add up quickly. So, when you are shopping communities, find out what services are included in the “base” rate, and ask for a detailed list of add-on services and their respected fees.
