SENIOR HOUSING WAIT LISTS What You Need to Know.Bruce B. Rosenblatt Senior Housing SolutionsThere is much to learn about waiting lists at Senior Living Communities.  Understanding these basics will help you become better prepared. Here are some good tips for you:THE NAME GAMESenior Communities call their wait lists many different names such as Priority Club, Premier Club, Ambassador Club, etc. Some start-up communities or communities under expansion will create a separate list for early depositors. These folks will have priority when the actual residence is available to sell.  Usually, during the priority phase, the initial deposit is fully refundable until the conversion takes place. It is highly rare that a community will complete the medical assessment at the time of becoming a priority member and will wait until someone actually reserves a specific apartment.     DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTSEvery community handles their wait list deposit differently. Some require a non-refundable deposit while others offer a fully refundable option. The amount of the deposit varies from community to community. Typically, a non-refundable model carries more weight since wait list members have something to lose if they back out. Even with a non-refundable deposit, there could be situations where it would be refunded, especially if someone passes away or has a change in their health. It is good to understand the terms of the agreement before you sign up.   FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSALHaving the option to refuse an apartment when offered is very attractive to many people. Since timing is an unknown variable, some people want the option to either accept or refuse an apartment when offered. It is important to note that if you have been waiting for a certain floor plan and/or location and it becomes available, you might want to seriously consider accepting it, since you have no idea when the next one might become available. The other pitfall to avoid is waiting too long and not being medically approved. INTERNAL vs. EXTERNALIt is common that senior communities maintain an internal AND external wait list.  An internal wait list comprises of people/residents who are already living at the community.  These folks take priority over external wait list members, therefore if you are on an external wait list and are waiting for a highly desirable floor plan and/or location, there could be a good chance, a current resident is also waiting for the same residence. Some communities offer a program for someone to become a resident without physically moving in. Sometimes these are called ghosts. A ghost member pays a reduced entrance fee and monthly fee, is medically approved, and has priority over external wait list members. A ghost member usually has certain resident privileges at the community including access to the on-site health care center.   THE THREE STRIKE RULESome communities institute a three strike rule on their wait list, meaning if you turn them down three times, you are dropped to the bottom of the list. It is good to know the rules of the game before you place your wait list deposit.MEDICAL APPROVALMost communities will not guarantee you medical approval when you join their wait list.  This is because the wait list does commit you to a specific time frame, especially if you have the first right of refusal. Some might do a preliminary approval, so you have an idea of where you stand, and will update your medical history if your wait time goes beyond a certain period of time.  It is imperative you understand this feature of the wait list, since many people put all their eggs in one basket to move to a specific community to find out later, they have been denied. KNOW THY NUMBERSKnowing how many people are on are on the list is a good first step.  Knowing how these numbers break down by unit type and the annual turnover percentage rate will help you better gauge your timing, however if you are waiting for a two bedroom and many couples live in two bedrooms at this community, you could be waiting for a long period of time, because you are basically waiting for two people to move out. If there is an internal wait list, it is important to know these numbers as well.   ITS A NUMBERS GAMETry to identify multiple floorplans and locations you might desire.  This will help provide more opportunities for you.  The narrower you are in your selection, the lower the percentage of being offered what you want. Some of our clients have their names at a couple of different senior communities in order to expand their choices.  It is advisable to keep this confidential. PUT YOUR TOE IN THE WATERIf you are on a wait list, you should stay in frequent contact with your chosen community so they are aware of your status, and you can be updated on future availabilities. If possible, you should try to participate in some community programs and events while you are waiting.  This will help you become acclimated to the community lifestyle, staff, and meet other residents well before the moving truck arrives. If we can be of any assistance understanding the wait list program at your desired community, please reach out to us at www.seniorhousingsolutions.net or call 239-595-0207. 

You may have started to notice some changes in your parents abilities as time goes on. Whether they seem more forgetful or are having more trouble moving around the house, changes in ability are inevitable as we age. We all want the best for our parents and relatives. Sometimes this means having difficult conversations about aging, plans, needs, and lifestyle changes.Though never easy, it is important to have these conversations before something life-altering occurs. This allows both you and your parents plenty of time to make decisions and plans everyone agrees upon without being rushed or stressed.How to have difficult conversations with your aging parentsStarting a conversation with your parents about their aging needs and decisions can feel intimidating. Seniors can sometimes be reluctant to discuss matters related to aging for a number of reasons. Some worry about a loss of independence and autonomy, which can be upsetting. Others do not feel like they need help, or do not want to feel like a burden to their family. And some are simply unsure of what their next best step should be.Therefore, it is important to meet your parents worries with empathy and patience. These conversations take time, which is why you should begin having them as early as possible. Start small, and provide plenty of reassurance that you are there to support them throughout the process. Try to have these discussions in a place where your parents feel comfortable and relaxed. It is also helpful to have another close family member there, but be cautious of involving too many others you do not want your parents to feel threatened or embarrassed.Overall, offer a listening ear and be sure to emphasize the positives of the situation. Mention how relieving it will feel to get documents in place and important decisions made. Bring up the benefits of a senior living community if that is part of the discussion. Reassure them that you have their best interest at heart and want them to have more independence, safety, and a better quality of life. And, give it time. The more you ease into these difficult conversations, the more your parents will feel open to having them.Topics to discuss with your aging parentsThe subject of aging can lead to many conversations with our loved ones. Below are 5 major topics you should discuss with your parents as they enter their later years of life. With each topic are example questions you can use as conversation starters that will keep the discussion productive and focused.1. Healthcare needsHealth and medical care is an extremely important topic for people as they age. Between legal documents, healthcare delivery decisions and treatment preferences, there are many scenarios you should go over with your aging parents regarding their health. While it might seem unpleasant, it is best to be familiar with all this information before you need it. That way, your parents will receive future medical care based on their wishes.Here are some questions to ask your aging parents about healthcare needs:Are you following a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and exercise?Do you have advance healthcare directives including a living will, health care proxy, do not resuscitate (DNR) and do not intubate (DNI) orders, and HIPPA release?Do you have a durable power of attorney for medical decisions? Do you have a list of all your doctors contact information?Do you have a list of all your medications and pharmacy information?Can a loved one accompany you to your medical appointments if needed?Do you need any mobility aids such as a rollator, walker, cane, wheelchair, or power scooter?Will any of your health conditions eventually require additional care?What are your preferences about end-of-life care?2. Living arrangementsHousing choices can be one of the more contentious topics for aging parents. It can be hard for seniors to accept that their needs and abilities may be changing. But, it is an important discussion that will affect your parents future happiness and well-being especially before a crisis occurs. Questions to ask your aging parents about their current and future living situations:Would you consider downsizing to a more accessible home that is easier to manage? Would you consider moving to be closer to friends or family members?Would you consider moving somewhere with a warmer climate, like Florida?In the future, would you prefer to stay home and age in place?Are you willing to hire in-home care if you decide to age at home?If you can no longer live at home, would you rather move in with a family member or move to a senior living community?Could you benefit from no longer having the responsibility of maintaining a home?Could you use more social interaction?What types of senior living communities are you interested in? Retirement communities, CCRCs, independent living, assisted living, or memory care?  Can we or a trusted senior advisor accompany you on tours of senior living communities?What questions do you have about senior living communities? 3. Legal documentsAnother major topic to discuss with your aging relatives is getting legal documents in place. Again, it is of the utmost importance to have these documents completed before they need to be used. This way, you can be sure all legal decisions are made based on your parents wishes. You may need to enlist the help of a professional elder law attorney to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed accurately.  Questions to ask your aging parents about financial and legal documents:Do you have an up-to-date will?Do you have a living will?Do you have an elder law attorney to help with estate planning?Do you have a durable power of attorney for financial decisions?Where are all your important documents located? 4. Home safetyHome safety and accessibility is an important matter to discuss with aging relatives, especially because it affects their day-to-day well-being. Remind your parents that the safer their home is, the longer they can live there independently. It is always better to prevent future issues proactively than to be forced to react to them after they occur. Questions to ask your aging parents about their safety at home:Is your house accessible, especially if your physical abilities change? (Is it a single-level home? Are the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room accessible? Is it located near hospitals, doctors, or loved ones in case of emergency?)Does the house need any safety modifications to prevent falls, such as ramps, grab bars, additional lighting, etc.?Are you able to navigate through the house safely?Will you wear a Life-Alert button in case of a fall?5. Insurance and financesWhile not always the most comfortable topic to discuss, knowing your parents financial situation is crucial when making decisions about health care and living arrangements. Meeting with a trusted financial planner is always helpful regarding financial matters. They can advise you on your financial decisions based on your income, assets, pensions, social security payments, veterans benefits, insurance, and more.Some questions to ask your aging parents about financial matters and insurance are as follows:Do you have a reliable financial planner who can advise you on financial decisions?Do you have long-term care insurance?What is your current health insurance coverage?Do you need to sign up for Medicare or Medicaid?How do you plan on paying for long-term care? (Retirement savings, pensions, social security, real estate, veterans benefits, etc.)Would assisted living be a better financial choice for you than aging in place?Do you need help managing your finances (paying bills, checking statements, making purchases etc.) from someone else, like a loved one?ConclusionIf you need more guidance navigating senior living and care for your loved ones, it is always wise to enlist the help of an expert. Florida Senior Consultings expert senior advisors can guide you through every step of the process and help your loved ones have a better quality of life as they age. Whether its aging at home or moving to a senior living community, we are here to help you through it all.Give us a call at (800) 969-7176 or visit FloridaSeniorConsulting.com to get started today!Senior living on your terms. The choice should be yours.

Understand what the financial picture looks like.With so many senior living options at so many different price points, it can be hard to know which option is best for you and your loved one. Before making a decision, its important to understand the different types of residences available to youand their associated costs.Evaluating Your Housing NeedsWhen determining senior housing costs, your first step is to decide which type of housing your loved one needs. There are a wide range of options and care services available for senior living, including:Independent livingAssisted living communitiesAssisted living homesAlzheimers and dementia careIn-home companion careSkilled nursing careAssisted living is often less expensive than in-home care. Costs will also vary depending on unit sizefor example, a studio, versus a one or two-bedroom apartment. The average nationwide cost for a private, one-bedroom apartment in an assisted living residence is about $3,000 per month. And just like general housing, there is a wide difference in senior housing and care costs depending on which part of the country in which you live. Your local Assisted Living Locators Care Advisor can tell you about the costs in your area.Additional Senior Housing CostsWhen evaluating senior housing options, be sure to ask about:Pricing models. Most assisted living communities have a base rate for the room and a tiered pricing add-on that varies based on the level of care required. The more care that is required, the higher the care add-on price. Other residences may be all-inclusive, a la carte, or charge on a fee-for-service basis.Additional fees. The base rate for senior housing typically covers room and board, meals, housekeeping, activities and 24-hour onsite support. Additional charges may include entrance fees, deposits, and fees for other services such as transportation, laundry, pets and cable.Lease length. Most assisted living residences charge on a month-to-month basis, but some may require a more long-term arrangement.Determining Your BudgetMany senior living residents and their families pay for senior housing costs through private financial resources. Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) is also a way families defray costs. Many communities also operate on a spend down model, where the senior pays privately for their housing and care for an agreed upon period of time, and once their financial resources are depleted, they are transitioned into state provided Medicaid assistance. These policies and procedures can vary by state; contact your local Assisted Living Locators Care Advisor in your area for the rules in your community.How Much Can You Afford?When trying to calculate what you can afford for independent retirement, assisted living or dementia/Alzheimers care, the place to start is figuring out your current expenses. When a person moves into one of these communities, almost all day to day expenses are covered. Usually, the only additional out-of-pocket costs are a phone, cable, out of pocket medical, and petty cash for entertainment, clothes or sundries.Monthly CostRent or Mortgage$Utilities$Repairs/Maintenance$House Cleaning$Property Taxes$Enhanced Cable Service/Internet$Home Insurance$Security$Food$Local Transportation$Leisure Activities$Personal Assistance$Other$Total ExpensesFinancial Assistance OptionsWe know you want the very best for your loved one. If your budget is limited, that doesnt mean that you cant afford suitable care. There are several government programs to help subsidize senior housing costs.Medicare. While neither Medicare A nor B offer coverage for assisted living, Medicare A (hospital insurance) may cover costs incurred in a skilled nursing facility for the first 100 days after being released from hospitalization for an acute illness or injury. Ask Medicare can provide more information on these benefits, plus other helpful tools to help you make informed health decisions for your loved one.Medicaid. Medicaid, which provides federal health-care assistance to lower-income Americans, is the biggest payer for room, board, nursing care, and social activities in nursing homes. Many states cover some assisted living services under their Medicaid programs. With the Assisted Living Housing Waiver, eligible low-income adults can choose to receive senior living care services in a community-based setting rather than in a nursing facility.Housing Subsidies. Seniors with annual incomes under $12,000 may qualify for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 202 and Section 8 senior housing. This can provide rent subsidies to help you pay for room-and-board at either an independent or assisted living residence.Veterans Subsidies. Aid and Attendance is a benefit paid by Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans, veterans spouses or surviving spouses. Long-term care insurance is an insurance product that helps pay for the costs associated with long-term care. Long-term care insurance covers care generally not covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Additionally, in certain instances an in-force life insurance policy contains an assisted living rider or can be converted into a long term care insurance product.For more information and advice on financing senior living or memory care services, you can visit the Center for Long-Term Care Financing, AARP, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Americas Health Insurance Plans.