A Look at the In-Home Care Option
By Barry Zimmer on August 24th, 2013 in Assisted Living facilities, Elder Law, Elderly parents, Incapacity Planning, Long-Term Care, Medicaid
There are several reasons why people who require living assistance prefer in-home care to long-term care facilities.
One is a financial motivation. You may be surprised to find out exactly how much it costs to reside in an assisted-living community these days.
According to a survey conducted by MetLife, the average annual expense for residence in an assisted-living community in 2012 was just over $42,000. People often spend a number of years in these facilities, which can get expensive. When you consider that the average Social Security monthly benefit in 2013 is $1261, the numbers simply don’t add up for many individuals.
The Emotional Component
Many elders have spent decades in their homes, and have developed emotional attachments to their residences. Houses can hold so many meaningful memories, but more importantly, they offer a sense of familiarity, which can go a long way in helping an elder live comfortably.
They say that there is no place like home, and when you are a senior who has perhaps lost a spouse, the thought of being displaced may be quite disturbing.
Modifications
As a practical matter, you can make in-home care more feasible by modifying your home. You can tailor your modifications to fit your specific needs.
For example, let’s say you have stairs in your home leading to your bedroom, but you are having difficulty climbing steps. You could have a step chair installed. You simply sit in the chair and it is designed to transport you up or down the stairs. It’s also possible to modify showers and bathtubs for easier entry and exit. Motion sensors can operate certain devices. Grab bars can be installed in bathrooms to reduce risk of slipping and falling.
Afraid of falling and not being able to get up? Given the wonders of modern technology, you can actually allow your family to monitor you via electronic devices installed in your home. You can wear a bracelet or necklace that includes an emergency call button. There are even telephones with hands-free speakers that can allow two way conversations if you need help and can’t get to the phone.
These are just a few examples of the things that can be done to improve your home to accommodate your physical limitations and eliminate the need to move to an Assisted Living facility.
Elder Law Attorney
Although in-home care is indeed a possibility for many elders today, others’ circumstances may still require them to stay in assisted-living facilities. An experienced and knowledgeable elder law attorney can help you address assisted-living expenses. If you would like to explore your options, simply take a moment to contact our firm and schedule a consultation.