There are many housing options for seniors, from living independently at home or in a retirement community to those who opt for a bit more help at an assisted living facility. Board and care homes and nursing homes are two other options that often are more budget-friendly for those living on a fixed income. Facilities for seniors are becoming more and more common as the huge generation of Baby Boomers enters their 60s and 70s. Here are a few eldercare facts about which you might be unaware.
The Baby Boom began around 1945 and those Americans are swiftly approaching 70, and currently about 13% of all Americans are older than 65. As the Baby Boomers age, this percentage will be significantly higher. These seniors will have to pay an average of $15,000 each year to cover their medical expenses.
If you need some daily help with personal tasks and don't really want to deal with housekeeping or preparing meals, an assisted living home can be a great option. There are lots of activities and services, and the apartments are typically very modern and nice. This all comes with a big price tag, though, averaging out at more than $35,000 per year. In addition, these expenses include no medical care and are not covered by Medicaid.
A nursing home, which also is known as a skilled nursing facility, is the most realistic eldercare for more than one million Americans. Eldercare is quite expensive and even a room in a nursing home can cost more than $75,000 per year, although much of that expense can be covered by Medicaid. This assistance is what makes nursing home care an option for many seniors. In addition, many seniors also need daily medical care and rehabilitative services, both of which can be provided at a nursing home. Of course, these nursing homes have long had the reputation of being depressing and lonely. This can certainly be true, but the companies that manage nursing homes often work very hard to avoid an austere, medicinal dcor and also to provide social activities.
When possible, many seniors prefer in-home care, and this might be having a nurse come into your home or someone who can help with tasks such as grooming, dressing, bathing, shopping and meal preparation. Of course, these tasks are often taken on by family members, and it is estimated that there are more 40 million Americans caring for an elderly parent. There are more than 1.3 million Americans who have in-home caregivers, and this number is expected to rise considerably in the next few years. While there are plenty of jobs, the pay is fairly low, hovering around $21,000 per year for those who provide care that is not medical. Those with nursing degrees do make considerably higher salaries, ranging from about $28,000 to more than $60,000, depending on the level of education.
Finding an eldercare option can be a daunting task, but there are companies out there that specialize in matching seniors to an assisted living community, skilled nursing facility or other type of eldercare option that suits their unique needs. They will take into consideration your care needs, medical needs and budget and create a list of places that match this criteria. From there, you can visit these facilities and choose the one at which you will be the most comfortable.
The Baby Boom began around 1945 and those Americans are swiftly approaching 70, and currently about 13% of all Americans are older than 65. As the Baby Boomers age, this percentage will be significantly higher. These seniors will have to pay an average of $15,000 each year to cover their medical expenses.
If you need some daily help with personal tasks and don't really want to deal with housekeeping or preparing meals, an assisted living home can be a great option. There are lots of activities and services, and the apartments are typically very modern and nice. This all comes with a big price tag, though, averaging out at more than $35,000 per year. In addition, these expenses include no medical care and are not covered by Medicaid.
A nursing home, which also is known as a skilled nursing facility, is the most realistic eldercare for more than one million Americans. Eldercare is quite expensive and even a room in a nursing home can cost more than $75,000 per year, although much of that expense can be covered by Medicaid. This assistance is what makes nursing home care an option for many seniors. In addition, many seniors also need daily medical care and rehabilitative services, both of which can be provided at a nursing home. Of course, these nursing homes have long had the reputation of being depressing and lonely. This can certainly be true, but the companies that manage nursing homes often work very hard to avoid an austere, medicinal dcor and also to provide social activities.
When possible, many seniors prefer in-home care, and this might be having a nurse come into your home or someone who can help with tasks such as grooming, dressing, bathing, shopping and meal preparation. Of course, these tasks are often taken on by family members, and it is estimated that there are more 40 million Americans caring for an elderly parent. There are more than 1.3 million Americans who have in-home caregivers, and this number is expected to rise considerably in the next few years. While there are plenty of jobs, the pay is fairly low, hovering around $21,000 per year for those who provide care that is not medical. Those with nursing degrees do make considerably higher salaries, ranging from about $28,000 to more than $60,000, depending on the level of education.
Finding an eldercare option can be a daunting task, but there are companies out there that specialize in matching seniors to an assisted living community, skilled nursing facility or other type of eldercare option that suits their unique needs. They will take into consideration your care needs, medical needs and budget and create a list of places that match this criteria. From there, you can visit these facilities and choose the one at which you will be the most comfortable.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson loves reading home health care blogs. For more information about assisted living Valley Center facilities or for expert help finding board and care Vista services, please check out the CarePlacement.com website now.
