Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Becoming Familiar With Terms In The Eldercare World

By Rue Nichols


If you or a loved one is thinking about moving into some type of eldercare facility, this can be a confusing world to navigate. There are all sorts of commonly used phrases and terms to describe different types of facilities and benefits that you need to learn about before you dive into the sea of eldercare. Here is some helpful information that can make it all a bit easier.

You will find several types of care which actually has half a dozen different names connected with them at least. Let us cite the assisted living as an example. You might hear people calling it sheltered housing, domiciliary care, adult living facility or perhaps community based retirement facility. Communities such as these basically have many private apartments for residents. The monthly fees paid include full meal services, usually a pool and exercise facility, an assortment of activities and ready help for residents' daily chores. Just don't expect medical care from here as well as accommodation of any form of government assistance to suffice for the fees.

One smaller option is the board and care facilities with about five to six, or less people accommodated. Location for these are private residential homes where residents have private bedrooms instead of apartments and monthly fees include meals, housekeeping, laundry and help for their daily tasks. Some people refer to this type of living as residential care homes, boarding homes or group homes. A portion or all of the fees can sometimes be paid using benefits like Supplemental Security Income. Covering the cost of living in these facilities using Medicaid 1915-c waiver is also possible at times.

The federal program SSI or Supplemental Security Income comes with the purpose to help seniors with low incomes by providing extra income. Basic needs like food, shelter and clothing can be addressed by this income. It principally aims to help elderly, the blind and those disabled. Costs for some board and care homes can be paid using SSI but hardly ever in nursing homes.

Medicaid is another government program that can be a helpful resource for seniors. It is a social health care program and sometimes those receiving SSI benefits also become enrolled in Medicaid, which can provide them with health insurance. Medicaid is different from Medicare, although they sound similar. Medicare also provides insurance, but everyone who works pays into this trust fund. It's quite similar, in theory, to Social Security. Money from paychecks is deducted to cover our future Medicare costs. Medicaid and SSI, on the other hand, is collected from general tax dollars and used to help those who are poor, disabled, aged and unable to work for a variety of reasons.

Residents in skilled nursing facilities can often pay using Medicaid. Older adults unable to live on their own and can't afford the board and care, in-home care or assisted living can have this as an option. As for the Medicare, it can be used to suffice medical expenses in nursing homes but not the cost of living there without the need for medical care. Such facilities are also called nursing homes. Those with smaller incomes can also opt for Veteran's care homes, open for veterans and spouses, obviously. You can choose from independent living, assisted living and full skilled nursing care for the type of care you wish to avail of.

Around San Diego or Orange County, looking for eldercare options can be easier with Care Placement. The staff members will help you figure out which care comes best for your needs as well as financial capability. They have a list of appropriate facilities you can then visit and do your comparison for the realization of the best care services option to choose.




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