Keystone Care Center

General Info About Independent Senior Living

What Is Independent Senior Living?

Independent Living Communities are a Senior housing option for those Seniors who are be ready to remove the responsibilities of caring for their home, but who need little to no assistance and have only minor medical issues. A resident of an Independent Living Community is 55 or over and relatively healthy. Most are physically and mentally capable of living alone without requiring assistance with day-to-day activities. However, those residents who may require some assistance with activities of daily living can use third-party in-home care services to meet those additional needs.

Living accommodations are usually studio or one-bedroom apartments but some facilities have condominiums and even single-family residences. Common areas are accessible for residents to gather with other community members. Full-service dining is available and usually includes the ability to provide meals for those with special dietary needs. Social outings and entertainment events are usually organized by the facility's events administrator.

Independent Senior Living Insurance Options

Because assistance with daily activities (ADLs and LDLs) are not available within an independent living community, most Long Term Care Insurance companies will not pay for Independent Senior Living Communities or Senior Apartments. However, if you receive In-Home Care at your Independent Senior Living Apartment, that care is usually paid for by Long Term Care Insurance.

Payment for Independent Living typically comes from private funds, including savings, pensions, Social Security benefits, proceeds from a reverse mortgage or sale of a home, and other personal funds. Because medical services are not provided in Independent Living Facilities, Medicare and Medicaid will not cover the cost.

General Info About Assisted Living

What Is Assisted Living?

Candidates for Assisted Living usually need assistance in performing one or more activities of daily living. Assisted Living facilities will provide a number of services including help with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry, and medication management. A person who wants to maintain some independence but may need help with bathing, walking, dressing, bed transfer, toileting, or eating may be a candidate for Assisted Living.

Residents of Assisted Living Communities typically have their own private apartment and are usually provided with shared services of dining facilities, recreational and social activities, religious services and transportation to shopping, medical appointments and local events. There will be staff on site 24 hours a day, but residents can maintain the independence that suits their particular situation.

Assisted Living Insurance Options

Long-Term Care Insurance

Many Long Term Care Insurance policies provide benefits toward the costs of Assisted Living expenses. While coverage specifics can vary based on the policy terms and conditions, long-term care insurance typically helps offset expenses related to assisted living, including accommodations, personal care services, and other support as needed. You can learn more about that here.

Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefit

Veterans and their spouses may be also eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which can cover part of the cost of Assisted Living expenses. The specific amount of Aid and Attendance benefits awarded to an individual is determined based on various factors, including the level of care needed, the applicant's income and assets, and their marital status. You can learn more about that here.

General Info About Skilled Nursing Homes

What Is Long Term Skilled Nursing?

A Skilled Nursing Facility is a health-care institution that has available nursing care 24 hours a day, the supervision of the care of patients by a physician, the capability to store and dispense drugs, and which meets federal criteria for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

A Nursing Home may be needed for someone who no longer can live at home safely and requires 24-hour care that may not be medical in nature. Help can be provided including assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, medications, and other activities of daily living (ADLs).

Skilled Nursing Home Insurance Options

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance typically covers the costs associated with nursing home care. Long-term care insurance policies are designed to help offset the expenses of such care, which can be significant. Long-term care insurance policies often have coverage limits, which may be specified as a daily or monthly benefit amount or a maximum lifetime benefit. It's important to ensure that the policy's coverage limits are sufficient to cover the costs of nursing home care in your area. You can learn more about that here.

Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefit

Although Veterans Aids & Attendance can go toward the cost of Nursing Home residency and care, it would not likely be sufficient to cover all of the costs. There is more information about that here.

Medicaid

If a senior needs nursing home care but does not have sufficient funds to pay for it, then that individual can apply for Medicaid. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program in the United States that provides healthcare coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families. It is the largest source of health coverage for low-income Americans. Medicaid covers a wide range of medical services including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and long-term care. Eligibility for Medicaid varies by state but generally includes low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. You can learn more about that here.