FIL long term care insurance is running out. presently living in AL. Doesn't want to pay $5000/month to live there.
Is open to living in group home.
Any good/bad experiences?
How do you find them?
He lives in the Myrtle Beach area in SC.
He can do all 5 daily living activities.
Probably needs helps with his meds.
the only reason he went there is because his LTI would only pay out if he was in an AL facility.
I have a friend who's aunt moved from a regular AL to a home with 6 residents. The cost of the small group home was a little less, but, the amenities were better and her aunt ended up loving it. She is immobile and in a wheelchair. Both rooms were nice, but, the group home is more homey and is quieter. Her aunt likes to read and watch tv and in this place, the living room serves as the activity room and it really is a living room inside an actual home and not a room inside a facility. It suits her, because she likes it quiet for her reading and sitting and looking outside. IT's set in a lovely serene area with little traffic. They do things during the day, but, I haven't heard her mention any outings, trips, etc. If your LO is still mobile and social, I would think that a larger facility would offer more in the way of activities, socials, parties, etc.
In NC, there are ALs located in rural areas that are significantly less expensive than in the major cities. NC also has a star rating system for long term care facilities that can be found online that provides each facility's deficiency reports, status, corrections, etc. You might check to see if SC offers that too, if you decide to check out various places, like group homes.
If this person is competent, I'd try to do what they want.
They don't have any activities, no transportation and not a lot of room to move around and exercise indoors.
Personalities were right there, so if there was any tiff between residents, everyone got involved, because they are living like a large family and most of the seniors I have met in these situations regress to spoiled, selfish little kid personality traits, so you can imagine 5 to 10 full grown 4 year olds with one or 2 people young enough to be their grandchildren in charge. It can be very interesting, could he deal with that environment?
On the plus side, you tend to know everyone else, you have the same caregivers for a majority of the time and it is a home setting vs. a institutional environment. They are more likely to accept pets and you are usually situated in a neighborhood, so going for walks is not near major thoroughfares.
I would encourage him to stay where he is if he has the money and has been contented. He obviously has more going on then a need for help to take meds on time, I would really look at what his needs are and what the future looks like. Dementia only gets more care intensive and change more difficult.
Be sure and check out any home facility for compliance with the rules and regulations, my dads got shut down for repeated violations and poor care of those that could not advocate for themselves.
Of course, conflict could occur in a facility too but it is probably monitored more closely.
I don’t think anyone can choose for him. This decision is highly personal to make.
So is money the only reason he is considering leaving or are there other reasons too?
I would think they wouldn’t accept Medicaid but who knows how they are set up.
Here in our area, only nursing homes accept Medicaid. Assisted living facilities don’t.
his out of pocket expenses for living there is around $500/month.
he constantly complains that he shouldn't have to pay anything to live there!
i have no idea how he got the John Hancock insurance to pay out.
he's very social, so i personally think a group home would be worse for him.
have a couple of leads for independent care facilities that are about $2500/month cheaper.
the only reason he's in AL is his insurance would not pay for independent care.
I don't think that you should be worrying about what he wants, tell him that he can let you know where he is going and when and you will help him move.
I don't jump through hoops for any able person.
most AL and independent facilities will drive you to doctor's appointments twice a week.