Malley Transitional Care Center

For many seniors who need some help in their daily lives as they age but who are also independent in several areas choosing between the types of assistance available can be a complex decision. Two of the most common options in this situation are assisted living services and home care services. At Avamere at Mountain Ridge, were proud to provide a variety of assisted living services in our senior living communities, from freshly-prepared meals and snacks to recreational events, laundry service, life enrichment and wellness programs, and numerous other services tailored directly to the individual needs of our guests. What are some of the elements that separate our services from home care solutions, and how can seniors and their caregivers go about choosing between the two? Heres a primer.Basics and Benefits of Assisted Living ServicesAssisted living communities provide different levels of on-site, 24/7 assistance to their residents depending on their needs. For example, a resident may be able to cook for themselves but need someone else to do their grocery shopping or clean house. Our staff will work with residents on an individualized level to determine the level of assistance each resident needs.Common needs for residents in assisted living communities include assistance with medication or refiling prescriptions; assistance with transportation; memory care or other forms of treatment for Alzheimers or dementia; assistance with mobility impairment and fall risks; and many others.Basics and Benefits of Senior Home Care ServicesHome care services, on the other hand, take place within the home of the senior in question. Home care services can provide meals, snacks, and even light housekeeping if requested.Home care services also offer transportation to appointments and grocery shopping trips. For those who need medical support in their home, home care may be a great option as the caregiver can administer medicines, monitor vital signs, and help with mobility impairment.Home care services tend to be mostly for seniors who dont have intermittent needs, such as help getting to and from the bathroom, but just need assistance with limited areas, as they arrive at scheduled times and are not available 24/7.Cost ComparisonFor those who need recurrent care, assisted living is far more cost-effective than home care. For example, if a senior needs help getting to and from the bathroom, then assisted living will be less expensive because a resident can request help from a caregiver for such tasks. Home care services are mostly for seniors with limited needs and dont require assistance on an ongoing basis. Home care is paid by the hour around $30-$40 each hour. Assisted living is a set rent price for 24/7 care.

Life Insurance PolicyIf the senior in question has a life insurance policy, there may be the option to utilize whats known as a life settlement through this insurance policy to pay for senior living. This involves a lump sum thats issued, one that can be used to pay for not just assisted living, but also other options like in-home care or even home improvements to meet a seniors needs.The benefits of utilizing such a policy for this purpose include not only the lack of expenses, but also a few others. For one, theres no restriction on how a senior or their family uses these funds. For another, life settlements often pay out far more than their cash surrender value, up to seven times in many cases. In addition, there may be some tax deductions available if a life settlement is used to pay for long-term senior care.However, there may also be downsides here. For one, using this method for life insurance may disqualify certain seniors from Medicare. In addition, there are some cases where the settlement will be taxed as a capital gain, and you may have to pay a broker fee. Finally, the senior in question may have to undergo a medical exam for this, which isnt always desirable.Long-Term Care InsuranceIn other cases, long-term care insurance (LTC) may help here. LTC policies cover people with chronic conditions or disabilities that require daily care, with a few different policy types out there. You may be able to use an LTC policy to help pay for senior living, though these wont generally cover the full costs theyll just help it become more affordable. However, be sure to factor in potential downsides here like increased premiums, strict assisted living community requirements and the potential limits on policy length and payout amounts.MedicareFinally, while its unfortunate, Medicare does not pay for assisted living costs. This is because Medicare is a healthcare program, so it only covers services that are medical in nature, which assisted living is not considered.

Happy Pride Month! We believe love is a powerful force.During Pride Month, the Avamere Family of Companies team members and those across the United States celebrate the historical movement of the LGBTQIA+ community and the great impact made in our country and the world.We proudly support our LGBTQIA+ team members, patients, and residents as we celebrate Pride Month today and every day.Ideas to Celebrate PrideHere are some impactful ways to celebrate Pride Month as an individual, with your friends and family, or as a team.Learn about Pride watch documentaries, read real stories, and listen to podcasts sharing experiences of the LGBTQIA+communityTeach your children about love and acceptance and use age-appropriate books and moviesWear Pride clothing, available at many major retailers and available to Avamere Family of Companies employeesUpdate your social media profile photo with a Pride frame or filterUpdate your video call background with Pride colorsDisplay a Pride flag in your work areaHost a virtual game night with Pride-themed Bingo, Pride trivia, or a bake-off with Pride-colored treatsFind and participate in virtual or safely distanced Pride event in your areaVisit the virtual Pride monument, Stonewall Forever atStonewallForever.orgAsk peoples preferred pronouns alwaysSupport and shop LGBTQIA-owned businessesSupport your LGBTQIA+ friends, family, and team members by listening if they want to share their experiencesDownload a flyer with these ideas to share with friends, family, and your teammates!DOWNLOAD FLYER