Making the decision to place a loved one in an assisted living home can be difficult, but it is often too necessary. As seniors age, they are often more prone to falls, injuries, and medical conditions, and some may also experience trouble completing daily tasks and routines. If this has occurred with a parent or other family member, it may be time to consider the many senior care options available in your area.
Two terms you may see are non-profit and for profit senior homes. Some of these facilities may appear very similar while others are vastly different. Here is a short breakdown of these two terms, so you can know about the quality of senior living in each.
Non-profit homes for seniors are often, but not always, run by religious organizations and churches. These facilities are not looking to make profits and are often more charitable. Their costs may or may not be lower, and they may or may not take health insurance or Medicaid; in fact, only around 19% of all assisted living facilities accept Medicaid to cover all costs.
Many of these facilities are structured as group homes, with individual apartments or rooms for residents. The amount of independence given to residents often correlates with the type of care they receive. In other words, those who rely on memory care for seniors to treat Alzheimer’s or dementia may be limited in their daily routines. However, these homes are also centered around medical care and can make aging comfortable for those with chronic conditions. This is especially important for the half-million assisted living residents over the age of 85 and the 40% of all residents with two or more chronic conditions.
For profit senior homes, however, are run by private companies, and they, of course, stand to gain a profit. The styles of these homes differ depending upon the type of community they represent. For example, some for profit senior homes are geared toward seniors living independently, so they might feature private residences that allow the elderly an experience similar to aging in place in a mortgaged home. These homes may or may not be equipped with fixtures made for seniors, such as walk-in showers or additional hand railings.
Other for profit facilities might include senior apartments or communities that do provide assistance and medical care, but with additional amenities. Many senior communities that make a profit are turning to a more spa-like atmosphere to give seniors options for fitness classes, massages, and gourmet cuisine, to name a few features. As a result, the costs for these facilities can be fairly high.
When searching through senior living options in your area, it’s crucial to visit each home, so you and your loved one can have a good idea of the type of care he or she can receive. Ask questions of the staff, and talk to residents to find out what they like about where they live. For more suggestions or to ask questions about senior care, leave a comment below. Find out more about this topic here: seniorlivinghomeguide.org
