QA

Question: What Is Senior Living

What exactly is senior living?

Senior living apartments are just that – apartments (townhouses and condos may also fall in this category) within communities or complexes which are specifically designed with the wants and needs of older adults in mind. Elements of a traditional home, condo or even apartment such as stairs, high cabinets, etc.

What does senior living include?

Assisted living facilities usually provide residents with their own apartments or rooms, as well as some common areas. They offer around-the-clock supervision and a range of services, including meals, housekeeping and laundry, as well as assistance with personal care and help with medications.

Is senior living and assisted living the same thing?

Assisted living is a completely different form of senior living and offers a level of care that does not exist in independent living facilities. Assisted living facilities focus on senior care; that includes everything from health care to personal care.

Can I live in senior housing?

In general, the only people who can live in senior apartments are seniors who are at least 55 years old. For senior apartments that are set aside for adults over 62, there is no way that children can live in these units with seniors. These senior apartments have a strict age policy and offer no exceptions to the rule.

What is senior only housing?

Independent living is simply any housing arrangement designed exclusively for older adults, generally those aged 55 and over. Since independent living facilities are aimed at older adults who need little or no assistance with activities of daily living, most do not offer medical care or nursing staff.

Does Social Security pay for assisted living?

The short answer is yes, in most states, Social Security (through Optional State Supplements) provides financial assistance for persons that reside in assisted living communities provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Does assisted living take all your money?

So does assisted living take all your money? Assisted living doesn’t take all your money. If anything, there are legal ways to protect your assets if you have any doubts that an assisted living facility might take all your money for just allowing you to become a resident in their facility.

What are the different levels of senior care?

Senior Lifestyle classifies its levels of care under six different options for senior care services: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Affordable Housing, and Short-Term Care. Independent Living services offer residents the freedom to live their lives as they see fit.

How do elderly pay for assisted living?

Most families cover assisted living costs using private funds—often a combination of savings, Social Security benefits, pension payments and retirement accounts. However, there are some government programs and financial tools that can offer help paying for assisted living.

What are the five levels of care in assisted living?

Generally, it is common to find communities that feature two to four levels of care within assisted living, including residential living, skilled nursing, memory care, assisted living, and rehabilitation.

When should an elderly person go to assisted living?

If your elderly parent struggles with a serious medical condition or experiences a rapid deterioration in their mental or physical health, finding an elderly care home that can support their medical condition will be a priority.

Why are 55+ homes cheaper?

The primary reason that 55-and-over properties are cheaper is because of a smaller group of people that are looking to purchase and invest in them. Consider the ages of the overall population, those who are 55 and older comprise a more limited percentage. This plays on the economic principle of supply and demand.

Can my daughter live with me in a 55+ community?

Typically yes, if at least one member of the household is over 55, then it is okay. There may also be restrictions for ages depending on if they are a spouse or a child/grandchild needing to live with you. A 55+ community must legally meet the requirement of having 80% of their residents be over the age of 55.

Is it cheaper to live in a 55+ community?

The cost of living in a 55+ planned community is usually about the same as purchasing a house or apartment in any planned community. Pricing varies by number of bedrooms and included features.

Do I qualify for senior housing?

For properties designed for age 55+, at least one tenant must be 55 or older, meaning younger adult family members may be allowed to live with them. Income verification: You’ll need to demonstrate that your income doesn’t exceed a certain threshold (typically 50 percent of the Area Median Income for that area).

Can you rent in over 55+ community?

The legal requirement for 55+ senior housing is that 80 percent of the property’s occupied units have at least one person that’s at least 55 years old. So, if your spouse is at least 55, but you aren’t – you could be eligible for residency.

How do you buy senior housing?

The easiest way to invest in a senior housing property, such as an ALF, is through a real estate investment trust (REIT). There are several REITs that specialize specifically in the senior care industry that can provide diversified exposure to this asset class in institutional-quality investments.

What happens to elderly with no money?

Medicaid is one of the most common ways to pay for a nursing home when you have no money available. Even if you have had too much money to qualify for Medicaid in the past, you may find that you are eligible for Medicaid nursing home care because the income limits are higher for this purpose.

What happens to your Social Security when you go into a nursing home?

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SSI BENEFITS IF I GO INTO A NURSING HOME OR HOSPITAL? Generally, if you enter a nursing home or hospital (or other medical facility) where Medicaid pays for more than half of the cost of your care, your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit is limited to $30 a month.

Does Medicare cover senior living?

En español | No, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living facilities or any other long-term residential care, such as nursing homes or memory care. Medicare-covered health services provided to assisted living residents are covered, as they would be for any Medicare beneficiary in any living situation.