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Each month, 800,000 people turn 65, according to a new National Institute on Aging report. This new publication predicts that the pace of global aging will continue well into the 21st century. During the 20th century, the number of persons in the United States under age 65 has tripled. While at the same time, the number aged 65 or over has jumped by a factor of 11! People are retiring at rates not seen in years past. Baby Boomers, now called “Zoomers” are literally zooming into retirement age!
These startling statistics have created new challenges and opportunities for retail, construction, housing, the food industry, health care providers etc. Complicating the increase in retirees is the fact that seniors are living longer — a lot longer. The new life expectancy age is now 79.6 years old! This creates a whole new set of challenges not only for businesses serving this aging population, but for the senior retirees themselves, for the adult children who find themselves caring for aging parents and for senior health care providers.
Senior health care experts predict that by this year, 9 million people will need long-term care. Out of necessity, the increasing needs and demands of this growing senior population have created a variety of new living options for our growing and changing senior population.
Many assume health among the elderly has improved, because as a group, they are living longer. Others hold a different view and see the growing elderly population as frail and dependent. The truth, however, lies somewhere in between.
Seniors are living longer as the result of advanced medical technology, but seniors who are living longer find themselves faced with limiting illnesses or conditions resulting in the need for varying degrees of assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, managing financial affairs and medication management, to name a few.
Long gone are the days when the only alternative to living at home or with your children was going to a nursing home. Today, seniors and their caregivers, who often times are their adult children, are demanding more in the way of choices, services, and quality lifestyles.
Choices today include active retirement communities, assisted living facilities, adult family homes, state of the art skilled nursing facilities and community based or in home services. Some long-term care companies offer all levels of care on one campus. These facilities are often referred to as Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Because the choices can be overwhelming, decisions for where to look should be dependent upon the level of care needed to safely support and enhance an individual’s functional ability, as well as the individual’s financial status.
Retirement Communities typically are for individuals who are independent and able to care for themselves, but looking for a more carefree lifestyle with fewer responsibilities for home maintenance, yard work, housekeeping etc.
Assisted Living facilities, the newest living alternative in the long-term care continuum, are the least known. Still confused with nursing homes, Assisted Living facilities offer independent living apartments with the security and availability of 24 hour nursing on site. As the name implies, Assisted Living facilities can offer a variety levels of assistance for people who need help in managing their confusion, or assistance with medication management, bowel and bladder control issues, bathing, dressing grooming, etc.
Information gained through a nursing assessment, completed at the time of admission, will determine what level of care is most appropriate for each individual. Costs for assisted living facilities depend on the size of an apartment and the assessed level of care required. Quoted prices for Assisted Living facilities typically include three chef prepared meals a day, utilities, cable, housekeeping, maintenance, linen service, activities and transportation to and from medical and dental appointments.
Other services such as beauty/barber shop, personal laundry services and room service may be available for an additional fee. Some facilities also offer Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy services as well, as fitness programs on site. Social Work services may also be available to help deal with the mental/emotional needs of the residents and work with the families as they transition their loved ones into a new living lifestyle.
Assisted Living facilities vary from facility to facility in terms of staffing levels, services, entry fees, etc. Therefore it is of utmost importance that individuals become educated as to what to look for when choosing Assisted Living facilities.
Adult Family Homes are usually private homes that become licensed to provide care for individuals who are not able to completely care for themselves. Meals, activities, transportation, and nursing consultation and assistance are provided in a home like atmosphere with a smaller group of residents. Again, costs for Adult Family Homes are based on level of care and typically charged on a monthly basis.
Nursing homes, sometimes referred to as Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), offer a high level of care and often become necessary when individuals are no longer able to be safely cared for at home, in Assisted Livings or Adult Family Homes. Unfortunately, Nursing Homes/SNFs, continue to battle a negative image, which in many cases is unfounded. New technology, stricter regulations and closer scrutiny of patient care have significantly improved nursing home care.
It is important to note that coverage for these types of living alternatives vary. Medicare will cover short-term nursing home placement, but does not cover Assisted Living facilities. Medicaid on the other hand does cover nursing home care, Assisted Living and Adult Family Homes, but some facilities will not accept Medicaid due to very limited reimbursement. Many Long Term Care insurance policies will cover Home Health, Assisted Living and Nursing Home care for either a certain length of time or for a certain dollar amount per day. Individuals need to check their insurance polices carefully and ask a facility up front what type of coverage they will accept before pursuing the various living choices.
Because of a longer life expectancy, many individuals may experience some or all of the above alternative living environments. Choices can be overwhelming as seniors and their families begin to look for the most appropriate setting for themselves or their loved ones. It is important to take the time to visit various facilities to insure they can meet individual needs and to make sure they provide quality care. The Internet provides a wealth of information as new websites are created each day that provide very good information on how to choose a good facility and what to look for. Two excellent websites are: Totallivingchoices.com and Carescout.com.
Encore Communities, as an example, offers the full continuum of living options including retirement cottages, elegant assisted living apartments, and a skilled nursing facility specializing in short stay rehabilitation.
(Editor’s Note: Encore Communities can be contacted at 800-733-11945 or www.encorecommunities.com)
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