By: Harry Cline
As people grow older, they often start to need additional support in their everyday lives. This can range from help with simple tasks like shopping for groceries and cooking to more extensive medical care. Trying to take on the additional tasks of caring for your elderly family while working to support your immediate family can be a burdensome task. In this article, where going to provide you with steps on how to move a parent into assisted living in Baltimore, Maryland.
If you have an aging parent, this can present a difficult decision. They need to be happy, but also safe and supported, and whatever option you choose also has to be financially sustainable. There is a lot to weigh in this decision, so it is helpful to lay out all the options and their pros and cons.
Aging in Place
According to the AARP, 87% of seniors would prefer to age in place in their current homes. It is possible to age in place safely, but some precautions are necessary. Most people will have to make home modifications to prevent accidents, such as changing the flooring, installing a walk-in shower, and widening doorways.
If additional support is needed, this can be arranged. There are two main types of home care: skilled nursing care to assist with medications and other health needs, and personal care for everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and bathing. The former is more expensive, so it may be cheaper to move to assisted living than to pay for home care in the long run.
Downsizing to a Smaller Home
If a senior’s current home is just not a good fit, it could be worth downsizing to a more suitable home. This is an especially popular choice with seniors who still live in big family homes, which are too hard to maintain and are potentially more dangerous due to hazards like stairs and clutter. Therefore, downsizing could save you from paying for maintenance costs and medical bills due to accidents. If the house has major updates that need to take place, I would consider selling As-Is to an investor which will make things easier for you as the home seller.
Aside from this, don’t expect to profit too much from the change. According to The Motley Fool, the average senior downsizer sells for $270,000 and pays $250,000 for a new house. This will of course depend on your local market (in Baltimore, homes have been selling for an average of $189,000).
Assisted Living Facility
An assisted living facility allows a senior to maintain some level of independence, usually staying in a private apartment. The facility staff supports with everyday needs like medications, meals, and getting dressed, while the facility itself usually provides a sense of community and a range of activities.
There is a wide range of assisted living facilities in Maryland, each with its own services. Tour several places before choosing one so you can be sure that it is a good fit. Take this checklist with you, so you can then compare the options and narrow them down. Keep in mind that the costs of assisted living can add up. In Maryland, the monthly cost ranges averages $3,900.
Nursing Home
Unlike an assisted living facility, a nursing home involves a higher level of skilled medical care. It is for seniors who need more active, round-the-clock assistance with things like medications and treatments. For this reason, a nursing home is rarely the first option for a senior who realizes they need support, and most seniors would rather avoid it entirely.
When deciding whether it’s time for a nursing home, start with a thorough geriatric assessment. Insights and experience from the family can also be useful. Bear in mind that it might be possible to delay nursing home care for a while through a healthy lifestyle and the use of local community support for seniors.
For obvious reasons, nursing home care tends to be more expensive than assisted living. A semi-private room costs an average of around $96,000 per year, while a private room is much higher in cost.
This is not an easy decision to make, but remember that it’s not one definitive choice. A senior’s care needs will change over time. Many seniors may pass through several, if not all, of these options during their golden years. As long as you are committed to making the best decision for their well-being, they will be able to live full lives for a long time.