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Assisted living is a great option for many senior citizens. For seniors with health conditions that can be difficult to manage, it may even be essential. Seniors suffering from cancer, heart conditions, mental health conditions, or diabetes may benefit from assisted living. Assisted living can also be a good choice if you or your loved one is having trouble managing their home or finances. However, many people are concerned about the cost of assisted living. Can you afford to pay for assisted living for your parents? How can you make assisted living affordable?
The good news is it is entirely possible to make assisted living fit into your budget! There are many ways to make assisted living affordable.
Before you start looking into financing options for assisted living, you should first make sure assisted living is right for you or your loved one. Senior living is a great option for most seniors, because it provides a sense of community as well as safety, security, a higher quality of life, and medical help. There are 4 main types of senior living communities: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
Assisted living communities offer slightly more care than independent living. People in assisted living communities live in their own apartments, but benefit from daily medical care or assistance with daily activities. They need help with things like bathing, grooming, medication management, eating or preparing food, or mobility.
Assisted living is typically not a good choice for individuals with severe cognitive impairments, people who require nursing services, or those who can’t safely be left unsupervised. Seniors who are in the later stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia will find memory care communities to be a better fit. People who need more extensive medical services will be better served by a skilled nursing community.
If you’ve decided you or your loved one is a good candidate for an assisted living community, you should start researching financing options. In 2019, the average monthly cost of assisted living nationwide was $4,000(1) . However, costs vary widely depending on location and amenities. Fortunately, there are many ways to make assisted living affordable. Here’s where to start.
If your senior is a veteran, they can get help with assisted living through the Aid and Attendance Benefit. Most veterans who need assisted living will qualify for this benefit. You just need to fill out an application and mail it to your local Pension Management Center or bring it to your local VA office. As of 2021, this program can provide assistance up to $1,936 / month for a single veteran and up to $2,295 / month for a married veteran (2). Ask the communities you visit if they can help you with this application. They can also refer you to financial advisors who will help.
Many states provide financial aid assistance to seniors who qualify. SHIP, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, can help you navigate the options available in your state. You may also want to see if your state offers PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which may help. Senior living communities often have staff available who can help with these applications as well.
If you or your senior loved ones have a long-term care insurance plan, this plan will likely pay some of the costs for assisted living.
Medicaid sometimes offers financial help with assisted living communities. The amount Medicaid will pay, and whether or not you are eligible, varies by state. You can apply for Medicaid and find out more about what your state will cover here. Please note that assisted living is typically not a benefit of Medicare.
You might be surprised to learn that assisted living is more affordable than you might think. When you pay for assisted living, you aren’t just paying for you or your loved one’s apartment. Assisted living communities usually charge a monthly “room and board” fee. This fee typically includes all meals, transportation, activities, utilities, housekeeping, outdoor area maintenance, and more.
When you are comparing your current costs of living to assisted living costs, make sure you take all of these things into account. For example, here’s how monthly living expenses for your average senior couple might look. For this example, we used average nationwide costs for people in the U.S. in 2020.
Total: $4,100
As you can see, these individual expenses can easily exceed the cost of an assisted living community. Once you run the numbers, you might find assisted living is actually a better financial option. Questions, please call La Villa Grand Care Center 970-245-1211.
Our eyes are incredibly precious, yet its easy to take our vision for granted until problems arise. Lets focus on proactive steps to maintain and improve our eye health. Here are some tips to keep your vision in top shape:Schedule Regular Eye Exams:One of the best ways to safeguard your vision is by scheduling regular eye exams. Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of further complications. Make it a priority to see your eye doctor at least once a year, even if you dont currently wear glasses or contact lenses.Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays: Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by the suns harmful UV rays. Whenever youre outdoors, especially on bright, sunny days, wear sunglasses that offer UV protection. Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from potential damage. Give Your Eyes a Break from Screens: In todays digital age, many of us spend a significant amount of time staring at screens, whether its for work, leisure, or staying connected. Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.Eat a Balanced Diet:Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health. Incorporate foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and nuts and seeds. These nutrients can help protect against age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.Practice Good Eye Hygiene:Proper eye hygiene is essential for preventing eye infections and irritation. Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses. Follow your eye doctors recommendations for contact lens care, including proper cleaning, disinfecting, and storage.Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, so be sure to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your eyes and body hydrated.Get Plenty of Sleep:Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, including eye health. During sleep, your eyes receive much-needed rest and replenishment. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help reduce eye fatigue and maintain optimal visual function.By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your daily routine, you can help protect and preserve your precious eyesight for years to come.Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so take care of your eyes today for a brighter tomorrow!
Moving to a new home can be scary and stressful, especially for older people. But don't worry! Here are some easy ways to make moving day less scary and more fun.1. Pick the Right HomeFirst, choose a new home that feels good. Think about what you like. Do you want a garden view? Do you need help with cooking? Make sure your new home has what you need to be happy.2. Make ListsWrite down everything you need to do. This helps you remember important things. Start early and take your time. Don't rush!3. Choose Special ThingsWhen you move to a smaller home, you can't take everything. Pick the things that mean the most to you. It's okay to feel sad about leaving some things behind.4. Get Help from MoversHiring people to help you move can make things much easier. They know how to pack and move your stuff safely.5. Use Good BoxesUse boxes that stack well. Plastic boxes with lids are great because they're easy to pack and unpack.6. Say Goodbye to Your Old HomeHave a party to say goodbye to your old home. Take lots of pictures to remember it. This can help you feel better about moving.7. Think Happy ThoughtsMoving can be exciting! Think about all the fun new things you'll do in your new home. You might make new friends or try new activities.8. Pack a Special BagPack a bag with things you'll need right away in your new home. Put in things like:MedicineToothbrush and toothpastePajamasSnacks and waterThis way, you won't have to search through all your boxes on the first night.9. Make a Moving Day PlanPlan out your moving day. Know when you'll leave and when you should arrive at your new home. Don't forget to plan for breaks along the way.Remember, moving can be a big change, but it can also be the start of a great new adventure in your life!
When moving to a senior living community, it's important to know what to bring and what to leave behind. This guide will help you pack smart for your new home.Before You Start PackingVisit Your New Home: Take a look at how big your new space is.Talk to Residents: Ask people who already live there about what they brought and what they wish they had.Check with Staff: Find out what furniture and items the community provides and which items are not allowed.Involve Family: Let your family pick items they might want to keep, especially heirlooms.What to BringClothes and Personal ItemsEveryday clothesToiletries like toothbrush and shampooMedicationsMobility aids, like walkers or canesSpecial ItemsPhotos and artwork that you loveSmall mementos that make you feel at homeFurniture (if there's room)A comfortable chairA small table or nightstandA bed (if not provided)Lamps for lightingOther Important ThingsBedding and blanketsKitchen items if you have a small kitchen areaTV or radio (if allowed)Pet supplies if pets are permittedWhat Not to BringExpensive jewelry or valuable items that could be lost or damagedClothes you no longer wearLarge furniture pieces that won't fitBig appliances that the community providesHeaters or air conditioners that may not be allowedLarge rugs that could be a tripping hazardRemember, your new home will be smaller, so you'll need to choose carefully what to bring. It's perfectly okay to ask for help from family or friends if packing feels overwhelming.
La Villa Grande Care Center is located in the heart of the Grand Junction health care community and two major hospitals. La Villa Grande CC provides skilled nursing care on either a long-term or short-term basis, in an environment that contributes to the health and well-being of our seniors. Our skilled nursing facility offers 24-hour nursing care to address our residents many health care needs. It is a warm and welcoming senior living community offering award-winning Rising Stars program for people with Alzheimer's or related dementias, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, and respite/short stays all in one comfortable, secure, beautifully landscaped location.
La Villa Grande Care Center is located in the heart of the Grand Junction health care community and two major hospitals. La Villa Grande CC provides skilled nursing care on either a long-term or short-term basis, in an environment that contributes to the health and well-being of our seniors. Our skilled nursing facility offers 24-hour nursing care to address our residents many health care needs. It is a warm and welcoming senior living community offering award-winning Rising Stars program, secured memory care for people with Alzheimer's or related dementias, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, and respite/short stays all in one comfortable, secure, beautifully landscaped location.