Choosing the right care for your loved one
By JULIE BAUMAN
Kingston of Vermilion
Selecting Senior Care can be overwhelming, especially when a crisis is involved. Finding a care team that understands the stress that a family can be under when this situation arises is vitally important as a dedicated team of professionals with experience in senior care can help guide the way. With the use of interdisciplinary team input and care transition coordination with hospital liaisons and social work, Kingston’s knowledgeable staff can assist in navigating you or your loved one to a decision that works best for your specific situation.
Retirement home. Independent living. Long-term care. Assisted living. Nursing home. Retirement community. Skilled nursing facility. Adult day care. Respite care. Which is right for you or your loved one? Let’s take a closer look at senior living options and how they might be paid for.
• Independent living provides all the freedoms of home. With Independent Living, you have your own apartment and may have your own vehicle to come and go as you please, while you may also use scheduled transportation for shopping and medical appointments. Independent living includes meals and basic utilities for your residence, along with housekeeping, recreation and wellness programs, arts and crafts, educational events and special outings.
• Assisted living offers amenities similar to Independent Living but includes additional assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, walking to and from meals, personal care and management of medications. This care is provided by nursing assistants who are supported by licensed nurses and an integrated care team that includes nutrition and activities staff.
• A skilled nursing facility, sometimes referred to as a nursing home, provides rehabilitation after a hospital stay and long-term care. With post hospital rehabilitation, your stay will help you recover after an illness, injury or surgery, so you can return to your home or to Independent or assisted living. Care is provided by staff that include registered nurses, nursing assistants and therapists. Some skilled nursing facilities offer care for special needs such as stroke recovery, Parkinson’s therapy and respiratory care.
• Long-term care is also a part of a skilled nursing facility, however it caters to individuals who may need physical care for an extended length of time, helping individuals live independently and safely when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own.
Similarly, respite care is for those who need accommodations when their home caregiver is away for a vacation or a business trip or needs a break from caregiving. Respite Care can last for a period of a few days to as long as a month and is a great way to try senior living without making a commitment to move.
While some skilled nursing facilities have shared rooms, certain facilities, like Kingston, provide private quarters.
FINANCIAL OPTIONS
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some senior care payment options to consider:
Independent Living & Assisted Living
• Private Pay may be the most direct option for AL and IL. This would include payment from personal income, savings, and investment portfolios. While many individuals utilize more than one way to pay for these services, the sale of a home is another common resource. Other options to investigate are life insurance, veteran’s benefits and long-term care insurance.
Skilled Nursing
• Medicare will reimburse you for up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, but not for long-term care. These short-term stays for rehabilitation and recovery must be preapproved by your doctor.
• Medicare Part A covers care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, nursing home care, Hospice and home health services.
• Part B covers services such as lab tests, surgeries and doctor visits, as well as supplies like wheelchairs and walkers considered medically necessary to treat a condition. Part B covers two types of services which are medically necessary services and preventative services.
• Medicaid can be an option for seniors with a low income may qualify for Medicaid insurance. Guidelines and benefits for this program vary from state-to-state, so it’s important to do your research and see what benefits your loved one may qualify for. Medicaid coverage varies by state but for Ohio you can visit www.medicaid. ohio.gov or contact your local Ohio Department of Job and Family Services representative.
• Long-term care insurance covers needs such as meal preparation, bathing, dressing and medication assistance. Long-term care may include services needed for more than one month and their policies do not begin until after a month of care has been provided. These insurance policies could help pay for care in your own home, senior care facility and adult day care.
Bauman is a licensed nursing home administrator with Kingston of Vermilion, 4210 Telegraph Lane, Vermilion, 440-967-1800. Kingston HealthCare Company also operates Kingston Residence of Vermilion, 6010 W. Lake Road, 440-967-2424.
