An Adult Foster Care Home Is A Great Options For Many Seniors

By Arthur Butler


The vast majority of seniors want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Not only is it the most comfortable situation for those who are aging, it is usually the most economical. Unfortunately, some seniors become unable to manage on their own and require some type of professional assistance. There are many options at this stage, and one of them is an adult foster care home.

These residences are not unlike the boarding houses that were so common in earlier times. Most houses will only accommodate four to five seniors. The residents must be largely independent. The facilities are not intended for those who require medical supervision. General services include transportation, housekeeping, laundry, and bathing and eating assistance. Most meals are communal.

Some people think these homes are comparable to assisted living, but they are not. Assisted living facilities house a lot more clients, and their staff doesn't usually live on site. You are more likely to find assisted living in metropolitan and densely populated sections of the country. Adult foster homes tend to serve the more rural regions.

It costs roughly fifteen hundred to thirty-five hundred dollars per month for rent, room, and board at one of these facilities. That is about half what a nursing home costs, and is also less than most assisted living facilities. The cost is higher on the west coast and in the northeast. The South and Midwest are the most economical. The amount of assistance a resident needs is also a factor in the total cost.

If you are interested in this option, you will have to talk to a representative about how to pay for it. None of it is covered under Medicare. Supplemental insurance programs don't cover it either. While neither will pay for rent or room and board, they do still provide the services they would cover if the senior was living at home or in assisted living. Medicaid is governed by individual states, and some will provide assistance for the care portion.

States have Medicaid Waivers that allow assistance to qualifying seniors outside nursing homes. There are almost two dozen states that specifically include adult foster homes in the waivers. There are enrollment caps and waiting lists associated with these waivers. Medicaid State Plans, available in nine states, are entitlement based, with no enrollment caps or waiting lists.

Veterans have some advantages over those without a military background. Their pensions will pay for the expenses associated with these facilities. Long term care insurance may be an option, but there are restrictions regarding when the policy was taken out. You may be able to cash in a life insurance policy, with sufficient face value, to pay for the cost of the facility.

It probably isn't wise to assume you will be able to continue to live in your own house until you pass away. Even if this is your choice, you have to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. The time to make plans is when you are still healthy and independent. Your loved ones need to know what you want.




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