When I left work last month, we talked about how we still needed a little help and were telling our adult children they needed help.
Whether you need to leave home to move to an independent living facility, need a home helper to come to your home, or move into assisted living, any of these can be traumatic and frightening. It can be expensive and costly.
A change in an aging parent can be difficult even for an adult child, and the changes and movements of a parent can be full of emotions.
Perhaps you’ve decided that you don’t want to maintain a really big house and yard.
You want to live independently but are tired of taking care of your home and garden, shopping, cooking, doing laundry, keeping up with taxes and insurance. maybe.
There are independent living facilities for that. Facilities typically cater to 55+ and include garden fresh meals, scheduled movies, computer classes, fitness classes, hair and nail salons, day trips, transportation, and regular doctor visits. It advertises all kinds of amenities. The facility typically offers one or two bedroom apartments.
In a TV commercial for an independent living facility, the residents seem to be drinking white wine in a nice space.
Of course, the cost of an independent living facility varies greatly depending on the facilities the facility provides.
Then there are the large retiree facilities that offer services ranging from independent living to nursing home care. Often referred to as “Continuing Care Retirement Communities” (CCRCs), they typically have housing or apartments for independent living, assisted living facilities, nursing home facilities, and memory care units for residents who need additional care. CCRC pricing can be a little complicated.
“Many seniors are hesitant to leave their homes, but being part of a vibrant community of seniors can be a great experience,” says Help Advisor. “There are so many people to interact with and you don’t have to worry about housework, transportation or cooking.”
You say that’s fine, but you really want to stay in your own home.
For those who want to stay at home, and most of them are at home, there are many home health agencies that can help with household services such as shopping, light housework, laundry, and meal preparation. , can accompany clients to doctor visits and provide companionship. It may also provide financial management.
If you need more help, home health care staff can help you bathe, change clothes, use the toilet, and track your medications.
At $24 an hour, massive home care can actually cost more than assisted living. According to Genworth’s Cost of Care study, home health care averaged $54,912 in Tennessee in 2021, when extensive care was needed.
If you feel lonely or find it difficult to live at home, there are life support facilities that provide independent living in your own home. Services vary by facility, but most offer 24-hour emergency care, medication, bathing, changing clothes, and toilets. They provide food and laundry services as well as social activities.
According to Genworth’s health care cost survey, the cost of living with care in Tennessee will average $49,260 in 2021, slightly less than large-scale home care.
Payments for geriatric services vary across geriatric living settings. Independent living is almost entirely privately paid for out of your own pocket.
Home medical care may be at your own expense. However, there may be some benefits from a good long-term care policy, and you may have Medicaid, Medicare, or Veterans Administration (VA) benefits, or even VA benefits for your spouse. If you have a long-term care policy, check it out and talk to staff about other possible benefits.
Private expenses may be required for living support. However, there may be her VA benefits, including spousal benefits, and benefits from a long-term care policy or eligible Medicaid plan. Again, check the health insurance policy you have. However, Medicare does not pay welfare benefits, so there are no Medicare benefits.
Sometimes adult children pool resources to help mom and dad cover additional expenses.
There is another source of support for people across our region who are former employees of the Department of Energy. increase. The Energy Employee Resource Center is located in Jackson Plaza, 800 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, 37830. The phone number is (865) 481-0411. If you work in the nuclear industry and have ongoing health issues, check out this potential resource.
It may take patience and persistence to get the benefits you or your loved ones deserve. . Aged care attorneys can help you get the benefits you deserve and protect your assets. Luckily, the cities of Knoxville and Lenoir have great aged care professionals who can be found by Googleing aged care lawyers in East Tennessee. Read reviews when checking out lawyers.
Aging brings all kinds of new challenges for individuals and their families. Good luck to those looking to sail new seas in old seas.
Whatever you decide about where and how you live, do the following for your personal representative (executor):
- Trust when necessary.
- last will and testament
- Enduring Power of Attorney for Health Care
- Advance Care Plan (Health)
- Enduring General Power of Attorney for Finance and Business
If you had to manage your property, what else would you need to know? List everything and let your representative know where the information is.
- social security number
- bank account number
- bank safe deposit box number
- Credit Card Number
- retirement account
- investment account
- pension
- pension
- All insurance policies, including those that may have been held by a former employer
- Monthly payments directly from your bank account
- What will be charged to your credit card each month
And whatever you have in mind. Make it as easy as possible with your personal representative.
Martha Moore Hobson was an early certified financial planner in the area. Although she is retired, she actively volunteers in her community.
