Dear Donna,

My dad recently moved in to an assisted living community after we decided that his house was too much for him to manage by himself. Although he’s glad to not worry about housekeeping or meals, it’s been a difficult transition.

He was pretty close with his old neighbors and is having a hard time getting to know people in his new community. What are some ways he can make new friends?

Thanks,

Steve from Saline, MI

Making Friends in a New Senior Residence

Dear Steve,

One of the major benefits of moving to a senior living community is the opportunity to get to know people and make new friends. Unfortunately, it takes a little time to settle in when an older adult is transitioning from their house to a senior community.

With a few small steps and friendly gestures, however, your dad can start to make new friends soon.

Tips for Making New Friends in Senior Living

1. Smile and say hello.

Sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference. Rather than avoiding eye contact or small talk, encourage your dad to be warm and friendly in a way others respond to. Simply saying hello with a smile in the hallway or communal areas can be enough to start a conversation.

2. Join others for meals.

Mealtimes provide an easy way to meet new people. If he’s been eating alone in his apartment instead of the dining room, encourage him to enjoy his meals with fellow residents instead. He might ask to join others at their table and introduce himself to start a conversation.

3. Watch the calendar.

Most senior communities have event or holiday calendars with various activities for residents to enjoy. This may include group games, a religious service, or fitness activities. Your dad might watch the calendar for activities he enjoys or something new he’d like to try. Have him start by choosing one activity every week and planning to introduce himself to at least one new person there.

If he’s reluctant to go alone, join him for a few activities. Senior living communities welcome and encourage family involvement.

4. Stay positive.

Sometimes we avoid new people because we are afraid of what they will think of us. If we assume that other people will not like us, that’s a good way to sabotage potential friendships. You can encourage your dad to avoid this attitude by being positive and open and assuming that others will like him and enjoy getting to know him.

5. Invite people over.

Making new friends does not have to be complicated. Another simple way your dad can get connected is to invite neighbors into his home. This may include coffee, a snack, playing a game, or watching a movie or TV.

6. Be patient.

Adjusting to a new community can be hard work, so be patient with your dad. Encourage him to be patient with himself and with his neighbors. Change is difficult for most of us, so give your Dad time to adjust and settle in.

Best wishes,

Donna

Building Community for Senior Loved Ones

Heritage Senior Communities, including our Linden Square Assisted Living location, provides support to residents in a comfortable, home-like setting that encourages community. Contact us for more information.

Dear Donna,

Our mom still lives in her own home and usually does just fine on her own. However, her bathroom has not been updated in years, and we’re worried about her slipping and falling in the shower. She also has arthritis that has made it more difficult to bathe.

Are there other safety issues we should look for in her bathroom? How can we reduce her safety risks and make her more comfortable?

Sincerely,

Janice Bauer, Holland, MI

Keeping Bathrooms Safe for Seniors

Dear Janice,

It’s understandable that you are concerned about your mom’s safety in the bathroom. Hospital emergency departments treat 2.8 million older adults every year for fall injuries. Many of these falls happen in the bathroom and are due to hazards like slippery floors.

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to reduce your mom’s risk of falling in the bathroom, as well as other possible safety issues. Do a thorough safety check of her bathroom and determine which precautions are necessary.

Here are some things to look for when you’re checking your mom’s bathroom, including how you can make it safer for her.

Senior Bathroom Safety Issues to Look For

Floors:

• Tubs or showers should have non-slip surfaces; add floor mats or non-skid appliques to avoid sliding on the tub floor.
• Bathroom floors should have a textured surface or have non-skid carpet or rugs.
• A bath bench can reduce the need to stand in the shower and can help with getting in and out of the tub.

Lighting:

• Does the bathroom have sufficient, even lighting?
• Light switches should be easily accessible near the door.
• Make sure burned-out light bulbs are changed.

Doors:

• Bathroom doors should open outward.
• Doorways should be wide enough to accommodate any mobility devices, such as walkers.
• Shower doors should be made of safety glass or plastic.

Fixtures:

• Consider installing lever handles on sinks and showers, which can help seniors with arthritis and stiff joints.
• If the shower head is difficult to reach, install a shower head attachment.
• Consider a walk-in bathtub to make bathing easier.
• If the toilet is too low, a higher toilet or a seat extender can make use easier.
• Install grab bars near the shower and toilet; a tension pole is another option.
• Towel racks and other shelving are not substitutes for grab bars, but they should still be installed sturdily.
• Consider installing a telephone in the bathroom, reachable from the floor, if your mom falls and must call for help.

Miscellaneous:

• Toiletries and towels should be easy to reach and should not require seniors to stretch and reach too far; keep items convenient with additional shelves or water-resistant baskets.
• Do the outlets prevent electric shock?
• Is there sufficient heat and ventilation?
• Set hot water heater to 120 degrees F to avoid scalding.
• Insulate any exposed water pipes or wiring.

I hope these tips help you create a safer bathroom for your mother!

Kind regards,

Donna

Offering Safe Senior Care

Family-owned Heritage Senior Communities focuses on providing quality senior housing and licensed assisted living. Contact us today to ask questions or schedule a tour at one of our locations, such as Appledorn Assisted Living community in Holland.

Making the move to a senior living community is a difficult one for you and your loved ones. Unfortunately, this decision isn’t made any easier by the additional questions that arise about who should pay for senior living, and how much it will cost. You want to have the best care for yourself or your loved ones, but it needs to be something your family can afford, as well.

If you’re wondering how to pay for a senior living community, you’re not alone. See this Dear Donna letter we received a few years ago: 

Dear Donna,

My older parents are considering moving to a senior living community, and I am confused about the different options for paying. I thought our only option was to pay for it ourselves, but a friend just told me that her parents used other methods as well.

Can you tell me more about what kinds of funding senior living communities accept?

Sincerely,

Mary from Holland, MI

How to Pay for a Senior Living Community

Here’s what Donna had to say:

Mary,

Thanks for asking this question. How to pay for senior living is an important topic, and we appreciate the opportunity to address it. Considering the national average cost for assisted living is just below $4,000 a month, it’s good to know all the options you and your family have on your side.

To begin, assess the level of care your parents will want and need. Consider if your parents are searching for independent or assisted living, or if they would need to move into a memory care community. Based on their needs, you’ll find different ways to fund this next chapter in their lives. Then, you can use the information below to determine the best way to pay for senior living, based on the type of care your parents need. 

I hope this helps, Mary!

Kind regards,

Donna

Who Pays for Assisted Living and Senior Living Communities?

In general, most assisted living and senior living costs are paid out of the family’s pocket. The person in care may have a pension or retirement fund, or perhaps additional funds from selling a home. Often, this income is then supplemented by family members who can provide for that person’s senior living care. 

As mentioned, this is not ideal for most families. Senior living care can be costly, and many families can’t afford such large expenses out of pocket. 

If this is something your family is struggling with, you may be wondering if there are other options. Here’s a look at some of the most common questions people ask when considering how to pay for a senior living community. 

Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?

Medicare does not pay for assisted living costs. 

Housing and daily care, like bathing and dressing, are not covered by Medicare. That said, Medicare may cover the costs of some specific services within your loved one’s assisted living care. For example, it may cover injection fees, prescription fees, or medical equipment required by your loved one’s condition while they are at an assisted living facility.

Does Medicaid Pay for Assisted Living?

In some cases, Medicaid may cover a portion of some assisted living fees. That said, Medicaid is only available to those who have an income low enough to qualify for government aid. What’s more, the assisted living facility where your loved one will live must participate in the state-funded programs supported by Medicaid. 

Unfortunately, Medicaid is a very confusing program, and because it is a federal program that is administered individually by each state, the rules and coverages vary significantly based on your location, and even the facility you’re working with. 

In general, Medicaid is not a good option when it comes to paying for a senior living community. 

Does Private Insurance Pay for Assisted Living?

Private insurance (Blue Cross, Aetna, Priority Health, etc), typically functions similarly to Medicare. They may cover some costs for skilled nursing or health care costs related to a specific condition, but they rarely cover personal care in senior care facilities or assisted living. 

How to Pay for A Senior Living Community, Based on the Type of Care Your Loved One Needs

So, if Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance are unlikely to support your loved one in assisted living or a senior living community, then how can your family pay for these services and care?

As mentioned above, the type of care will largely dictate how you and your family are able to pay for a senior living community. Assisted living and memory care payment options may look different from a senior living community. Let’s look at a few of the best options for each type of care. 

How to Pay for Assisted Living

If your senior loved one was in the military, he or she (and spouse) may be entitled to VA benefits to help pay for assisted living. 

Called Non-Service Connected Improved Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance (or Aid and Attendance, for short), these benefits can be used to cover the costs of assisted living. In 2022, those monthly benefits were up to:

• $2,051 monthly for an eligible veteran
• $1,218 monthly for a surviving spouse with no dependents
• $2,431 for a veteran with a non-veteran spouse

These benefits do change regularly, so it’s best to check with your loved one’s current policy, but these monthly benefits can go a long way to help pay for assisted living. 

Long-Term Care Insurance may be another way to help pay for assisted living. It’s similar to health insurance but can provide some added benefits that will help cover the costs of assisted living. 

Typically, your loved one would have to have purchased this type of insurance policy before they turned 80, but it’s important to look out for all kinds of policy options. If one company denies an application or offers benefits that aren’t right for you, it’s worth it to keep applying. You may just find the right coverage for your family’s situation. 

How to Pay for Memory Care

Memory care communities are specially designed for those seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Just like assisted living, memory care offered in these communities can be paid for using a family’s private funds, veterans’ benefits, long-term care insurance, or, depending on the state, Medicaid.

How to Pay for Senior Independent Living

Because senior independent living communities aren’t directly related to healthcare, they typically cannot be paid for using any kind of health insurance or health benefit. That said, some senior independent living communities may participate in state or federal programs that subsidize housing, meaning they are able to offer fees on a sliding scale based on the senior’s income.

There are organizations that can point you to a list of subsidized senior housing options in your area and their entrance fees. Outside of subsidized options, independent living is most often financed using the senior’s private resources, often with help from family. 

Financing Senior Living: Other Options to Consider

Traditional financing options for senior living don’t go very far. Because insurance doesn’t cover the cost of most types of senior living care, many families look for other ways to subsidize that cost. While every family should evaluate their own finances individually to make the best decision for their situation, here are a few additional options that some consider:

Long-Term Care Insurance

This was mentioned earlier, but the information bears repeating. If your family is able to find a policy that provides favorable terms, long-term care insurance can provide some financial support for both assisted living and memory care. 

Annuity Income

Annuity income is another way that many families and seniors use to pay for senior living communities. While there are a few types of annuities, the general principle is that you or your loved one makes a lump-sum payment to an insurance company. In return, the insurer promises to pay out monthly or yearly sums for the rest of the insured’s life. 

Again, this isn’t the best option for everyone, and there are a number of different types of annuities, but it is one method that some families use to afford the costs of senior living. 

Real Estate Income

Finally, real estate is another great way to finance senior living. If your loved ones are moving out of a home to start their life in a senior community, they may be able to sell the home and use the proceeds to supplement the cost of assisted living. 

Some families also consider the option of a reverse mortgage, which taps into a home’s equity to provide money to support the costs of assisted living. This is another option that’s best for each family to determine for themselves, but it’s worth checking to see if it may be right for you. 

There may be other options available to help you and your family finance a move to a senior living community. We encourage you to call us with questions and to schedule a tour of the Heritage Senior Community in your hometown.

 

Dear Donna:

My mom has always loved to garden, but she is now struggling with mobility issues. She also takes a few different medications that make her more susceptible to dehydration and heat.

What can we do to help her keep enjoying her favorite activity safely?

The Fletcher Family in Holland, MI

How Seniors Can Garden Safely

Dear Fletcher Family,

It’s great that your mom wants to keep up with gardening. It is a wonderful, healthy activity. Not only is it a way to get exercise, but being outside can increase vitamin D levels. The activity can also reduce dementia risk and nurture the spirit.

With any strenuous outdoor activity, however, some precautions are necessary. Here are tips your mom can follow to stay safe and healthy when gardening.

4 Ways to Your Senior Gardener Can Stay Healthy

1. Customize gardening for mobility issues.

Kneeling to plant seeds or pull weeds can be hard on the knees, hips, and back. Instead, try raised garden beds, which can either be purchased from home-and-garden supply shops or built DIY-style.

Indoor pots and window boxes are another option, especially for colder climates or smaller living spaces. They can be set on a table and accessed while sitting down.

2. Use safe gardening techniques.

Gardening often involves repetitive motions, which can cause irritation in tendons and nerves. Prevent strain by rotating activities every 15 minutes, with a short rest in-between. Make sure your wrist is relaxed and your grip is not too tight on your gardening tools. Wear gardening gloves to prevent blisters and skin irritation, as well as to protect from things like pesticides, thorns, or bug bites.

3. Make sure to use tools correctly.

Never use bare hands for digging in the soil where sharp objects or stinging insects may be buried. Use proper tools, such as trowels and hand rakes, and make sure they are in good working condition.

Look for pruners or shears with safety locks. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions for using garden tools.

4. Use proper outdoor protection.

For your health and safety, it is important not to lose track of time while gardening. Take precautions to avoid dehydration, sunstroke, and other risks.

• Garden earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day.
• Always use sunscreen (at least 30 SPF) when going outside.
• Wear a hat with a sufficient brim to shade your face.
• Use sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes and prevent eye strain.
• Stay hydrated; keep a water bottle outside with you and drink from it often, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with sugar or alcohol.
• Take frequent breaks indoors or in the shade.
• If you have diabetes or other conditions that can affect the nerves, make sure to wear well-fitting gloves and shoes. Check yourself after gardening to make sure you have no cuts or scrapes that went unnoticed.

I hope this information helps your mom continue her favorite pastime!

Best wishes,

Donna

Encourage Physical and Mental Activity for Senior Loved Ones

Heritage Senior Communities provides quality care for seniors across Michigan. Appledorn Assisted Living community in Holland, for example, provides numerous exercise and socializing opportunities, including wellness seminars. Contact us today to schedule a tour.

Dear Donna,

My mom has been living on her own for several years now. She recently gave up driving and now relies on my husband and me for transportation. Because our lives are already pretty hectic, she’s more isolated than I’d like for her to be.

We finally convinced her to at least consider moving to an assisted living community, and we’d like to take a tour of some local communities. What should we ask and look for on these tours?

Stacey Lawrence Holland, Michigan

Make the Most of Your Assisted Living Tour

Dear Stacey:

The move to an assisted living residence sounds like an ideal solution for your mom and your family. Taking time to visit and get to know local communities is the best way to make an informed decision. The key to making the most of your visit is asking the right questions.

5 Things to do When Touring Assisted Living Communities

Before you start the tour, consider what is important to your mother in a community. What type of lifestyle does she want to experience there? What amenities are most desirable? What is your family’s budget? The answers to these questions will help you narrow your search even before you take a tour.

Once you arrive at an assisted living community, there are plenty of other things to learn. Here are 5 things you should do during every tour.

1. Observe the interactions between staff and residents.

Luxurious amenities are not as important as courteous, helpful, and trained staff. Watch how staff members treat and speak to those they care for. What you see is a good indicator of what your mom can expect. Also ask about the community’s hiring practices and training programs.

2. Talk to residents.

An impromptu, friendly conversation with current residents may provide even more information than a tour with staff can. Ask if they have had any serious issues with the community, including thefts. Ask about the quality of meals and activities. You might even ask if they have a resident council. If they do, ask to speak to the resident in charge of it.

3. Ask if there is a waiting list.

While it may be inconvenient, a waiting list is often a good sign. It means the community is in high demand and indicates financial stability. The possibility of a waiting list is also why it’s better to start the search for assisted living before a crisis occurs.

4. Ask how the community bills for services and accepts payments.

Most assisted living communities assess level of care charges according to the amount of care and support each resident receives. The size and style of their apartment or suite also impacts monthly fees. Make sure you understand what to expect.

5. Ask for a copy of the contract before you decide.

A community’s standard contract should include information on how it serves residents as they age and their needs increase. It should also note payment terms, and any costs associated with leaving the community. If possible, have a trusted attorney review the contract. He or she can explain the agreement and identify potential concerns.

Leading Provider of Assisted Living in Michigan

Heritage is proud to be recognized as one of the leading providers of assisted living care in the state of Michigan. Our family-owned business has been serving older adults in the Great Lake state for three generations.

In Western Michigan, we’re pleased to serve families in Holland at our Appledorn Assisted Living community. Call us today to schedule a private tour at your convenience.