cost of assisted living

[Anonymous]

My dad is 96 and we are thinking of moving him to this area. Considering a number of options including living w/ me. Question: can anyone provide ballpark figure (weekly, annual, monthly, whatever) for having him in assisted living? He does not need constant nursing care, but is nearly blind so needs some help. Also, if you can reference the area of the DC metro area you're speaking about (I assume downtown vs. near suburbs vs. farther out suburbs makes a difference), that'd be great. TIA!

[Anonymous]

I can tell you there's many different levels of "assisted living" -- independent apartment with "on call" button for emergencies; apartment with shared dining area; suite in a living facility with shared dining; basically a nursing home. There are facilities that will package all these options in one place for different prices. Medicare/Medicaid kicks in for part of it and your dad should have social security as well. It's not cheap, however.

[Anonymous]

I think it's like $5K a month. They will do an evaluation periodically and if they decide he needs more care they will raise the fees accordingly.

It would be a lot less expensive to hire a home health assistant to come by when needed to help with hygiene care, etc. If you all work full time you can have Meals on Wheels deliver food for him during the day.

He may be happier around family and eating home cooked food. On the other hand some seniors want their independence and don't want to be a burden so he may be happier in an assisted living condo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you there's many different levels of "assisted living" -- independent apartment with "on call" button for emergencies; apartment with shared dining area; suite in a living facility with shared dining; basically a nursing home. There are facilities that will package all these options in one place for different prices. Medicare/Medicaid kicks in for part of it and your dad should have social security as well. It's not cheap, however.

This is absolutely NOT true for assisted living. Medicare pays nothing, nor does Medicaid.

[Anonymous]

My mother started out only needing med-taking (med-prompting) services, paying ~$4500/month for her studio apartment.

We moved her to a different place some time ago and she now pays a flat fee of $7500/month.

Medicaid covers nothing. Nor does Medicare.

Medicaid will cover a long-term care facility (nursing home), but only after your father has spent down his money to next to nothing.

I strongly suggest you read this book: When the Time Comes: Families With Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions, by Paula Span.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_83?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=when+the+time+comes+families+with+aging+parents+share+their+struggles+and+solutions&sprefix=when+the+time+comes+families+with+aging+parents+share+their+struggles+and+solutions

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the book reference. I also have understood that for public aid to kick in you have to make yourself destitute, essentially. (I don't disagree w/ that.)

In terms of hiring someone to come into the home, does anyone have a recommendation of an agency that helps supply such things? In his current town in the midwest, where we're also looking into options, a nurse is $42/hour. In the same ballpark here?

[Anonymous]

I think each county offers a book of senior services. You can probably order one online or get one from an assisted living place like Sunrise.

[Anonymous]

16:57 here. I should add that my mom is in the Boston area, which has a comparable COL to D.C. Her monthly bill has increased as her needs have mounted (e.g. she now needs help getting dressed).

FWIW, we had a horrible experience with Sunrise Senior Living and I would never recommend them to anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the book reference. I also have understood that for public aid to kick in you have to make yourself destitute, essentially. (I don't disagree w/ that.)

In terms of hiring someone to come into the home, does anyone have a recommendation of an agency that helps supply such things? In his current town in the midwest, where we're also looking into options, a nurse is $42/hour. In the same ballpark here?

To qualify for Medicaid, you must have essentially no assets AND you must have a condition that requires medical care. A condition that requires custodial care, e.g., dementia, and, I would assume, blindness, does not qualify.

[Anonymous]

Yes, no government kick in. My mom died 10 years ago in assisted living, it was $145 a day 10 years ago, so get some recent figures. DC area prices are much higher than more rural areas. So if you are moving your dad away from other family in a more rural area, it might be a better bet to stay in the rural area.

[Anonymous]

My mom had 12-hour, in-home care for my father. Over 6 years, it cost her close to $1m.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's like $5K a month. They will do an evaluation periodically and if they decide he needs more care they will raise the fees accordingly.

It would be a lot less expensive to hire a home health assistant to come by when needed to help with hygiene care, etc. If you all work full time you can have Meals on Wheels deliver food for him during the day.

He may be happier around family and eating home cooked food. On the other hand some seniors want their independence and don't want to be a burden so he may be happier in an assisted living condo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the book reference. I also have understood that for public aid to kick in you have to make yourself destitute, essentially. (I don't disagree w/ that.)

In terms of hiring someone to come into the home, does anyone have a recommendation of an agency that helps supply such things? In his current town in the midwest, where we're also looking into options, a nurse is $42/hour. In the same ballpark here?

To qualify for Medicaid, you must have essentially no assets AND you must have a condition that requires medical care. A condition that requires custodial care, e.g., dementia, and, I would assume, blindness, does not qualify.

Dementia is a medical condition.

But yes, you are correct, other than that.

[Anonymous]

If your Dad can transfer his assets to you and your sibs and whoever else is line maybe he can get his net worth down to where he will qualify for aid. What is the tax liability for you and him if he gifts more than allowed amount which is ??? I want to say $16000/year? Maybe it is worth it to take the tax hit in order to qualify. Am I completely out in left field with this line of thinking? I want to know because I'll be in your boat in the not so far off future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your Dad can transfer his assets to you and your sibs and whoever else is line maybe he can get his net worth down to where he will qualify for aid. What is the tax liability for you and him if he gifts more than allowed amount which is ??? I want to say $16000/year? Maybe it is worth it to take the tax hit in order to qualify. Am I completely out in left field with this line of thinking? I want to know because I'll be in your boat in the not so far off future.

not an expert by any stretch, but I believe there are clawback provisions to prevent this (last minute gifts, retitling property, etc to qualify for benefits).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your Dad can transfer his assets to you and your sibs and whoever else is line maybe he can get his net worth down to where he will qualify for aid. What is the tax liability for you and him if he gifts more than allowed amount which is ??? I want to say $16000/year? Maybe it is worth it to take the tax hit in order to qualify. Am I completely out in left field with this line of thinking? I want to know because I'll be in your boat in the not so far off future.

Medicare and Medicaid have a five-year look-back provision if I recall correctly.

The dad may qualify for help from the VA if he is a veteran who served during wartime. There was a piece in the Post on it this week.