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If you are thinking about moving your loved one into an assisted living center, it is important for you to find the right community for him or her. As people get older, their needs will change. Furthermore, some people may suffer from chronic medical conditions that require professional care. Therefore, it is important for you to understand the different levels of assisted living care. That way, you can find the right community for your loved one.
What Is the Point of Different Levels of Care?
You might be wondering why assisted living centers are divided into separate levels of care. The idea is that not everyone requires the same type of care, and most people want to live with those who have similar needs to their own. For example, it wouldn’t be appropriate for someone with severe dementia to live in an assisted living community lacking memory care. This wouldn’t create a good quality of life.
That is why it is important to use care assessment to determine what level of assisted living is appropriate.
How Levels of Assisted Living Care Are Determined
The most important tool that professionals use to determine the level of assisted living care is called a care assessment. It assesses mental and physical faculties to determine what level of care is appropriate. There are some senior citizens who might be able to live entirely on their own. Then, there are others who might have severe mental and physical issues that require constant care to complete activities of daily living. This is critical for making sure your loved one lives in the right home.
What Are The Levels of Care?
Most communities charge an additional fee for care on top of the room and board fee. By law the senior living community will have to conduct an assessment to ensure your loved one qualifies for assisted living. In order to know where your loved one falls in, the senior living community will have to conduct an assessment. You are not obligated to sign up with their community if you choose to have your loved one assessed by a nurse.
The Levels of Care
Some communities charge A La Carte fees. Meaning they only charge for what your loved one needs. Please understand that there may not be a cap on the fees accumulated if paying A La Carte. In the event your loved one declines and needs extra care, the community will charge for every little item they did to care for your loved one.
Some communities bundle care packages depending on the level of care your loved one needs. This is good because you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.
Other facilities are all inclusive of care meaning, the care rate is included in the rate quoted.
Memory Care Level
If your loved one is living with dementia, then a memory care specialty community is probably the best place for him or her. There are additional resources available at these communities. Furthermore, staff members have been specifically trained to work with senior citizens who suffer from memory problems. This will help you give your loved one the best quality of life possible. Some Memory Care Communities have levels of care added to their cost but most are all-inclusive of care.
When To Re-Evaluate Your Senior’s Care Level
It is possible for your loved one’s needs to change over time. You should certainly evaluate the care level prior to moving into an assisted living facility for the first time. Then, following any major medical event, it is important to re-evaluate what those needs are to see if a move to another location is appropriate. Furthermore, if you notice changes in your loved one as you visit him or her, it might be time to re-evaluate the required care level.
Find the Right Senior Living Community
If you are trying to find the right senior living community for your loved one, it would be our pleasure to assist you. We are North Star Senior Advisors, and we have a tremendous amount of experience working with families with a wide variety of needs. We can compare the benefits and drawbacks of each senior living center, helping you find the right one for your family. Regardless of whether you are looking for a short-term stay or a permanent move, let us help you find the perfect home for your loved one. Contact us today to speak to our team.
Share this article on social media!
If you are thinking about moving your loved one into an assisted living center, it is important for you to find the right community for him or her. As people get older, their needs will change. Furthermore, some people may suffer from chronic medical conditions that require professional care. Therefore, it is important for you to understand the different levels of assisted living care. That way, you can find the right community for your loved one.
What Is the Point of Different Levels of Care?
You might be wondering why assisted living centers are divided into separate levels of care. The idea is that not everyone requires the same type of care, and most people want to live with those who have similar needs to their own. For example, it wouldn’t be appropriate for someone with severe dementia to live in an assisted living community lacking memory care. This wouldn’t create a good quality of life.
That is why it is important to use care assessment to determine what level of assisted living is appropriate.
How Levels of Assisted Living Care Are Determined
The most important tool that professionals use to determine the level of assisted living care is called a care assessment. It assesses mental and physical faculties to determine what level of care is appropriate. There are some senior citizens who might be able to live entirely on their own. Then, there are others who might have severe mental and physical issues that require constant care to complete activities of daily living. This is critical for making sure your loved one lives in the right home.
What Are The Levels of Care?
Most communities charge an additional fee for care on top of the room and board fee. By law the senior living community will have to conduct an assessment to ensure your loved one qualifies for assisted living. In order to know where your loved one falls in, the senior living community will have to conduct an assessment. You are not obligated to sign up with their community if you choose to have your loved one assessed by a nurse.
The Levels of Care
Some communities charge A La Carte fees. Meaning they only charge for what your loved one needs. Please understand that there may not be a cap on the fees accumulated if paying A La Carte. In the event your loved one declines and needs extra care, the community will charge for every little item they did to care for your loved one.
Some communities bundle care packages depending on the level of care your loved one needs. This is good because you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.
Other facilities are all inclusive of care meaning, the care rate is included in the rate quoted.
Memory Care Level
If your loved one is living with dementia, then a memory care specialty community is probably the best place for him or her. There are additional resources available at these communities. Furthermore, staff members have been specifically trained to work with senior citizens who suffer from memory problems. This will help you give your loved one the best quality of life possible. Some Memory Care Communities have levels of care added to their cost but most are all-inclusive of care.
When To Re-Evaluate Your Senior’s Care Level
It is possible for your loved one’s needs to change over time. You should certainly evaluate the care level prior to moving into an assisted living facility for the first time. Then, following any major medical event, it is important to re-evaluate what those needs are to see if a move to another location is appropriate. Furthermore, if you notice changes in your loved one as you visit him or her, it might be time to re-evaluate the required care level.
Find the Right Senior Living Community
If you are trying to find the right senior living community for your loved one, it would be our pleasure to assist you. We are North Star Senior Advisors, and we have a tremendous amount of experience working with families with a wide variety of needs. We can compare the benefits and drawbacks of each senior living center, helping you find the right one for your family. Regardless of whether you are looking for a short-term stay or a permanent move, let us help you find the perfect home for your loved one. Contact us today to speak to our team.
