Care Options

There are many choices to make when selecting the right living accommodations. One of the first steps is to identify the type of facility that can best provide the necessary care and assistance that matches the financial abilities of the loved one and family.

	Assisted Living Home	Assisted Living Center	Home Care	Independent Living/ Retirement Community	Skilled Nursing Facility
Cost per month	$1500-$6500	$1350-$5000*	hourly rate	$1500-$5000	$4000-$6000
Level of Independence	varies	varies	varies	total	limited
Meals	3+	3+	will cook in your home	meal plan options	3+
Medication Assistance	yes	yes	yes	some	yes
Social Activities	yes	yes	no	yes	some
Transportation	limited	yes	yes	yes	varies
Housekeeping	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Personal Care and Laundry	yes	yes	yes	some	yes

*cost of care determined by the number and level of services needed

Housing Options

Independent Living/Retirement Community

Independent communities are designed for seniors who are very independent and have few medical problems, yet prefer the security and convenience offered by community living. These communities offer fully equipped, private apartments that range in size from studio to two bedrooms. Meals can be arranged in elegant dining facilities through a custom meal plan. Residents may chose the number of meals per day to include in their meal plan. Most independent living communities offer daily social and recreational activities, laundry facilities, housekeeping services, and scheduled transportation. Although these communities offer services that enable seniors to remain more independent, they do not offer assistance with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing, medication monitoring and toileting.

Payment Options: Private Pay. ALTCS does not cover independent living.
Cost: $795 - $5000 per month depending on number of amenities and size of apartment.

Assisted Living Home

Assisted living homes and centers are designed for seniors who want to live as independently as possible, but need assistance with support services. Assisted living facilities have a higher ratio of caregivers than a nursing home in a safe home-like environment, but encourage individual independence. Assisted living facilities offer more assistance than a retirement community and more continuous monitoring than home health care. Assisted living homes have up to 10 residents in a home-like setting.

Assisted living centers have up to 100 residents in a larger facility designed specifically for assisted living purposes. Residents may chose a shared apartment or their own apartment. Assisted living facilities offer not only a home, but also safety, security, socialization and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, medication management, and activity therapy.

Services vary, but the following services are most frequently found in assisted living facilities:
• Private and semi private rooms or apartments with an emergency call system
• Three wholesome meals a day and healthy snacks
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Assistance for any activity of daily living as needed
• Reminders to take medication, or staff assistance with medication management
• Transportation
• Social activities
• Beauty shop services

Payment Options: Primarily private pay; ALTCS pays only for ALTCS approved facilities for those individuals that meet the financial and medical eligibility requirements. Some long-term care insurance policies will cover assisted living.

Cost: $1,500 to $4,500 per month depending on facility and level of care needed.

Home Care

Home care is designed for seniors who wish to remain at home yet require some degree of medical and/or physical assistance. Home health care services provide a range of services such as assistance with medications, wound care, IV therapy, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Home health care agencies provide licensed health care services in the home while home care provides non-medical assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry and transportation. Home care services also offer companionship to seniors who wish to remain in their homes offering activities such as movies, conversation, discussion of current events, and planned outings.

Payment Options: Medicare covers home health if the individual requires intermittent skilled nursing care and is homebound (unable to leave the home except for very short absences or medical visits). Care must be delivered by a Medicare-certified home health agency and ordered by a physician. If the elder requires skilled care (home health care), he or she may also be eligible under Medicare for personal care services such as bathing and dressing.

Cost: Hourly rates for home care (non-medical assistance) range from $15 - $18.50 per hour. Rates for home healthcare (skilled nursing care) are $100 per visit (1 -2 hours).

Skilled Nursing Facility

Nursing homes / skilled nursing facilities are designed for seniors who are in need of skilled medical care. These facilities provide assistance with activities of daily living as well as skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services. Nursing care is provided by a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN) or nurses aide 24-hours a day. Standard services and amenities include: housekeeping and linen service, furnished room, meals and snacks, onsite medical personnel, professional service staff, and activities to enhance mental and physical well-being.

Payment Options: Private Pay; Medicare covers skilled care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) under certain conditions for up to 100 days. Skilled care is health care requiring skilled nursing or rehabilitation to manage, observe, and evaluate care. Medicare only covers care received in a Medicare-certified SNF. Care that can be given by non-professional staff is not considered skilled care and thus is not covered. ALTCS covers most skilled nursing care costs for ALTCS beneficiaries who require skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. ALTCS will only pay for care received at a ALTCS certified skilled nursing home.

Cost: $4000 to $6000 per month

Care and Housing Considerations

Housing Options

Independent Living/Retirement Community

Assisted Living Home

Home Care

Skilled Nursing Facility