Assisted living costs are something that everyone should be aware of because most senior citizens will eventually need help with their day-to-day needs.
Medicare won’t pay for an extended stay in a nursing home, so you must be proactive about exploring your options.
On average, it currently costs well over $100,000 per year to reside in a nursing home in Northern California. Additionally, we are seeing a steady increase in long-term care costs year-by-year.
If you are someone who may need nursing home care in perhaps two or three decades, assisted living costs are likely to be considerably higher than they are today.
Less Costly Alternatives
There are a couple of less costly alternatives that you may want to consider either for yourself or for aging relatives. One of them would be to make improvements to the home of the senior in question. This can include installing things like grab bars, handrails, walk-in showers, etc. Our geriatric care managers are here to do in-home assessments and to make suggestions on ways to make the home safe for an elder, and to even help coordinate any work that may be needed.
Perhaps care could be provided by family members and friends. If this is not possible, in-home caregivers can be engaged.
Another option would be to choose a residential care home. These homes are licensed by the state, and most of them house six or fewer seniors. Many of them are operated by individuals who provide room and board and non-medical custodial care within their own homes.
Nursing Homes & Medi-Cal
Although there are other possibilities that work for many individuals, the truth is that some seniors simply cannot do without the type of care that only a nursing home can provide. Though Medicare will not pay for it, Medi-Cal is an option for many.
We have prepared an informative report that will explain how to qualify for this program while retaining the maximum store of assets. To download the report, which is absolutely free, click this link: California Elder Law Report
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